The Passion of Christ

The priests did stand up, albiet, later! They conferred, schemed, and had Jesus arrested! Not just for over-turning the money changers, it was to protect their form of religion! They had a cash cow, and didn't want to lose it! They would sell a sacrificial lamb, or bird several times over!

Add to that, Judas betrayal of his Master/Teacher.
Add to that the fact that neither the Pharisees or the Herodians were in charge!
Add to that, Pilate, however he reacted! Or as the kids say, "Whatever!"
Add to that, the crowd, chanting Hosannah! one week, and Crucify him! the next week!
Add to that, the abandonment by Jesus' disciples!
All fomented and aided by Satan and his lies!

Then, our Lord willingly sacrificed himself to take away our curse of sin! He literally became cursed!

He died, arose the third day, and was seen by his disciples. He also was able to allay some of their misgivings about his ministry during that very personal time between the resurection and his ascention into heaven. He further commisioned his disciples to wait & receive power, his same Spirit.
That power enables the believer to witness about Jesus love, grace, mercy, life, and peace, and divine health.

The entire New Testament was a testament (witness) of his love and teachings!

His soon return will unite the world under one Lord!
His Kingdom will reign forever, just as he has dominion over all of creation, because, after all, he is the creator!

The Passion of The Christ could have easily touched on more than just his cruel death. It could have been much more!

As the Bumper sticker states: Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven!
And I stand Forgiven, on Christ, the Rock!
And I pray for all of you to come into a real, and personnal relationship with Christ also!

Thanks for clearing that up.

I thought it was a great movie...I saw another movie depicting the same situation in "passion" on tv the other night..It was pretty pathetic...Though, I did notice that caesar in the tv movie was the one that told the jews "to bring jesus to him, and he would eliminate him." In Passion, caesar tries to help, but the jews don't hear it and refuse to have nothing else happen except the crucify...

I think I prefer South Park's version.....

I couldn't stay up to watch it last night...just watched the one before it..lol..

GHOST EARLIER POST: "It's true that Jesus didn't let himself get pushed around but he NEVER used or condoned violence in any way. He was an incredibly strong and devout person and he was a pacifist. These characteristics are not contradictory, cpayne. The strongest thing you can do is handle a difficult situation without resorting to violence. A "christian" is someone who follows Christ's example, the way he lived his life. Too many people focus on the resurrection, which is meaningless if you don't buy into the teachings. My point is that a lot of people who claim to be christians are really far from it and that's a shame. It's not enough to go to church and put money in the basket. You have to really try to live your life like Jesus did and that's a really, really hard thing to do. Is it even realistic? I don't know but you have to try ... it's a spiritual ideal that christians must strive for every day ... if we fail sometimes that's okay, but we must keep trying. If someone thinks racist wars and pre-emptive invasions of sovereign countries is cool, that's fine. But it ain't exactly christian, is it?"


First, let me say this - Ghost if you review the post to which you originally responded and complained of christians condoning terrorism, I think you will find that the person posting made NO references to terrorism but, instead, simply spoke of his gratitude to Christ and the example he gave us and, specifically, to the good things that the poster attributed as gifts from God.

As for christians who act, say and believe things which contradict the teachings of christ - as christ himself said "all have sinned and fallen short of the nature of God." This is not an excuse, but, dammit, I am only human do not expect me to be perfect and do not use my imperfections as a basis to tarnish the ideal for which I strive (and, undoubtedly fail to achieve). Before you condemn those who "go to church and put money in the basket" recognize that they, at least at some level, have some understanding that God is important and "religion" is something that should be part of their lives - isn't this an important first step in any deeper spirituality? Have you spoken with them and discussed yours and their differing spirituality? Your statement of the obvious that christians should strive to live as christ did reeks of self satisfaction and superiority. Scholars, theologians, and wiseman of all faiths have debated just how to accomplish that easily phrased but difficult journey and most have come up with different answers.

As for the pacifist nature of Christ, well that depends on how you define pacifist. If you mean one who thinks violence, even for a just cause, is always wrong, I disagree. I believe, while violence was repugnant to Jesus, Christ understood, accepted and condoned violence as a last resort individually and as a neccessary evil corporately if appropriately used in the pursuit of ultimate justice (I don't think Christ would have had any problem launching a pre-emptive strike against Hitler).

Your statement that Christ never condoned violence or used violence is simply wrong. The most obvious example is the scourging of the temple; Christ violently threw the money changers out of the temple (he made a whip and lashed them). Further, Christ respected and understood the military (although most of his miracles were reserved for jews, the Roman Centurian's daughter was healed through the Centurian's faith and respect for authority). Also, Christ clearly recognized the authority of governments to order the civil lives of citizens (give unto ceasar that which is ceasar's, give unto God that which is God's). As the ultimate example to us as individuals, however, Christ surrendered himself to the violence of others and demonstrated the power that peace can have.

Finally, I take great exception to your statement that "Too many people focus on the resurrection, which is meaningless if you don't buy into the teachings." If your disclaimer in the predicate's subjunctive clause is intended to mean that the resurrection without context is meaningless, fine, I agree. If on the other hand, you disagree with christianity's focus on the resurrection as THE focal point of the religion well I couldn't disagree more. The teachings, surrender and sacrifice of christ are no more then another martyr story without the justification brought out by the resurrection. Whether or not you believe that he rose from the dead in physical form, the central christian resurrection message that total surrender to God brings you to a state of being in which you are one with God is essential to the teachings and life of Christ. It is the climax of Christ's story, the end of his journey, the focus to which his life and teachings pointed - not just an epilogue to the story of his death.

IMHO, Christianity is a long, hard journey filled with spirituality and wisdom from those who have gone before us. Christ challenges us in every moment and in every decision to "live like Christ" and, for each person, how to accomplish that will be a different facet on the central christian tenets of love and self sacrifice. Equally so, for each nation, state, city, or any other setting where humans live and act corporately, "christian" action is a matter of much debate as it should be. To summarize and judge other actions as christian or non-christian as you appear (to me) to be doing (especially with erroneous statements) discounts your assertions and discredits your criticisms.

That's my two cents. Peace Be With You.

BTW - Missed the South Park version. I am sure it was appropriately irreverent. Kenny and Eric are sure to burn in hell (But then, I understand Satan has a very nice, suite with room service, reserved for them).

I believe the essence of the South Park message was 'Moderation in everything'. Eric Cartman was an absolute ass as always.

Southpark finally portrayed Mel Gibson as he should be. A right winged conservative looney!

I would however attend his church to see him play the banjo!

The only time I laughed during that episode was when Eric and Stan were "throwing it down" over the phone. The rest of the episode was just a waste of time to watch and I love South Park. I still think one of the funniest episodes was the one with Osama bin Laden and another was the one making fun of Pokeman.