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Moore's Messenger - Fall 2003

Methodist Women
Pastor Appreciation

Updates
New Members
Admin Council
Senior's Picnic
Church Picnic

Upcoming Events
Homecoming
Candlelight Service

i.e. '03 - April LeMaire

Christmas Child

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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Mel Gibson - Producer

Oscar winning actor-director Mel Gibson has been working on a film on the passion of Christ. The movie focuses on the 12 hours leading up to the crucifixion and is attempting to be faithful to the Gospels of the New Testament. It has been said that Gibson's movie will graphically portray the intense suffering of Jesus as no film has done before. The Passion is performed completely in Latin, Aramaic and Hebrew. It is still under discussion as to whether or not there will be subtitles in theater release. Gibson thinks language should be no barrier for the film.

This extraordinary movie and its producer, Mel Gibson, are under criticism by groups that claim that the film "portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus." The concern is that the film will fuel anti-Semitism.

Mel Gibson has responded to criticism by saying "The Passion is a movie meant to inspire, not offend. My intention in bringing it to the screen is to create a lasting work of art and serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds (or none) who have varying familiarity with this story." Making a film is one thing, getting it into theaters, is another. There is no doubt that Passion will be carried in some movie theaters. However, those theaters may be few and far between. Visit the website www. passion-movie.com for scenes, news, and information on how you can support this film and increase the chances that the film will be in a theater near you.

After viewing the movie on February 23rd, 
Reverend Jack D. Cohen offers the following commentary:

I do have to say, I was not surprised by the degree of suffering depicted in the movie. Having studied in seminary the horror of suffering in Roman crucifixion and punishment, I knew that it was extremely torturous. As the Roman historian Tacitus and others had written, those who carried out punishment and crucifixion in the name of Rome were very skilled in those areas.

I was thoroughly moved by the relationship between Jesus and his mother Mary, that was  depicted in the movie. In the protestant faith of Christianity, I believe we do not often think about Mary the mother of Jesus and what she went through; however, Mel Gibson truly brought a reality of the close loving relationship of a mother and her son in a way that really hit home. Having three children of my own, I could not help but experience the hopelessness and enormity of pain that Mary went through in seeing her son brutally beaten and eventually crucified.  I believe this is a true wake-up call to the church to remind us of the great suffering that Jesus endured for each of us.

Regarding the Anti-Semitic claims pointed at Mel Gibson for this movie, I would like to address these from the interesting position of being both a Christian Pastor and having Jewish heritage of which I am greatly proud.  I love my Jewish heritage and I love Jesus and I am also intelligent enough to realize that throughout the 2000-plus years of the Christian faith, many have misinterpreted and misused the Scriptures to push personal agendas while perpetuating racism, sexism, and all other means of evil and oppression. Yet, I also recognize that Jesus grew up in Judaism and God formed an everlasting covenant with the Jewish people through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was not the Jews that crucified Jesus, it was not the Romans that crucified Jesus, ultimately it was ME and MY SIN, and you and your sin that caused the suffering and pain of Jesus! 

As the prophet Isaiah wrote: “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” ~ Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV) 

It is through the suffering of Jesus and our faith in Him as Lord and Savior that we are saved from sin and death, and I am grateful to Mel Gibson for his commitment to step out of the Hollywood norm and take from his own pocket to bring the suffering of Christ to the forefront. I would highly recommend this movie, for it is for all people since Jesus came to save the whole world from sin and death. There were so many things contained in the movie that I know many have thoughts, feelings, emotions, questions, etc., and I know they may want to share and discuss with one another. 

An Invitation to Open Discussion

Therefore, on March 14th at 2:30 PM,  Moore’s Chapel hosted a time of open dialogue for anyone to come and discuss their thoughts, insights, questions and more regarding The Passion of the Christ in an informal, open, and friendly atmosphere."