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Paul Harvey Comments on "The Passion" by Mel Gibson


Paul Harvey's words:

I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been
invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion," but I had also
read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe
much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply
held aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage any form of
anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.

I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion," held in
Washington, DC and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was typically
Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to
look beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. The film was very
briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened. From the
gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human and
tender portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the
arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the
thieves, the surrender on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty tomb,
this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike anything I have
ever experienced.

In addition to being a masterpiece of filmmaking and an artistic
triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional
reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth
of my children. Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded,
this "invitation only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, DC
were shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a
dry eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film
was now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully
inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is a rarity in life,
the kind that makes heaven touch earth.

One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A
brutalized, wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight of the cross.
His mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa. As she ran to him,
she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child, falling in the dirt road
outside of their home. Just as she reached to protect him from the
fall,she was now reaching to touch his wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her
with intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and at all of us
through the screen) and said "Behold I make all things new." These are words taken
from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation. Suddenly,
the purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds, that earlier in the
film had been so difficult to see in His face, His back, indeed all over
His body, became intensely beautiful. They had been borne voluntarily for
love.

At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a
question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film, from a
rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were effusive.

The questions included the one question that seems to follow this
film, even though it has not yet even been released. "Why is this film considered
by some to be 'anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do not
"view" this film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to
answer. A law professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised
his hand and responded, "After watching this film, I do not understand how
anyone can insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews
killed Jesus. It doesn't." He continued, "It made me realize that my sins
killed Jesus." I agree. There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be
found anywhere in this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the
first to decry it.

It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful,
sensitive and profoundly engaging way. Those who are alleging otherwise have
either not seen the film or have another agenda behind their protestations.

This is not a "Christian" film, in the sense that it will appeal only
to those who identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a
deeply human, beautiful story that will deeply touch all men and women. It
is a profound work of art. Yes, its producer is a Catholic Christian and
thankfully has remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no
longer acceptable behavior then we are all in trouble. History demands that
we remain faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell it.
After all, we believe that it is the greatest story ever told and that its
message is for all men and women. The greatest right is the right to hear the
truth.

We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to
which "The Passion" is so faithful were written by Jewish men who followed a
Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed the history
of the world. The problem is not the message but those who have distorted it
and used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not to censor the
message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel
Gibson's filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion." It should be seen by as many
people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the
case. I am passionate about "The Passion."



PS: From Julie:
My daughter, Kristin, tells me they learned at her
church youth group that Mel Gibson stated he did not appear in his own movie,
by his choice, with one exception: It is Gibson's hands seen nailing
Jesus to the cross. Gibson said he wanted to do that because it was indeed his
own hands that nailed Jesus to the cross (along with all of ours).

Drama is the result of an attempt
to find wholeness & success
in the midst of forces that have been
birthed in chaos and nurtured in confusion.
-- No More Drama

Vieope

FURtherness

DFINEST

I can't wait to see this movie,
regardless of the yea's or nay's
about this film

Drama is the result of an attempt
to find wholeness & success
in the midst of forces that have been
birthed in chaos and nurtured in confusion.
-- No More Drama

DFINEST

We already know the ending,
The Bible has already recorded it

Drama is the result of an attempt
to find wholeness & success
in the midst of forces that have been
birthed in chaos and nurtured in confusion.
-- No More Drama

Vieope

FURtherness

supertech

I have heard alot of good things about this movie.I am taking my mother this weekend to see it.

Rissole

I am seeing this tonight
I have been deeply stirred already from the trailers and my pastor saw it 2 weeks ago.... he broke into tears at the thought of the movie for 4 days.....

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Stickboy

I pre-bought tickets for it. I'll let you guys know what I think about it after I see it.

Rissole

Well i went and saw this movie last night.....
I am so devastated I am such a lame ass Christian.....
This is a bad movie not bad as as in bad but evil.... it is incomprehendable what they did to Jesus, and he let them do it.... and why...... for me (and you)

If you go and see this movie (and i recomend you do) dont buy anything to eat or drink, just go in and watch the movie... ohh and take some tissues with you.

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butterfly

Who is Paul Harvey???

~Ann
We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open.
-Harry Edwards

nikegurl

Hey Riss - I've heard a lot about the "brutal violence" and I keep thinking well "duh" they crucified him....did you think it would be nonviolent?

But seriously - is it violent and gory to an extend far above and beyond other films you've seen?

If you want to achieve things that others can't...

You have to do things that others won't.

Rissole

I knew it would be violent and how violent....
But as far as compared to other movies there are alot of bad ones you know, it just "ALL" the violence is directed at one guy who never really did anything wrong, and is my saviour

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Stickboy

I just came back from the movie. If you don't believe, it just might make you a believer. I'm not the best Catholic, but I am going to try to be a better one.

It is incredibly violent, but it is true to the gospel. It's not entertaining by any stretch of the imagination. It presents what happened, really happened, and I imagine it will change some peoples lives and their outlook on life.

This movie hits hard, and it's going to shake some people to their very core. There were alot of tearful eyes in the theater and no crowd noise. Nobody said a word. It's that powerful.

While I won't let my children see this until they are a bit older, it is a movie that I will highly recommend everyone see (believers and non-believers).

dg806

B are you serious???
"And now you know the rest of the story"

www.sbmuscle.com

butterfly

Yes, I'm totally serious... never heard of him before.

~Ann
We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open.
-Harry Edwards

butterfly

Here's what the Pastor of my church had to say about children seeing this movie.

In our society, we tend to believe that children are already exposed to violence through television, video games and movies. The violence in this movie, however, is very graphic. This graphic violence associated with Jesus Christ can be confusing for a child who has been taught that Jesus loves them and that we should love Jesus. Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, said in his review of the movie, "although accurate to the Biblical account, you need to know that The Passion of the Christ is excruciatingly violent in its depiction of our Savior's crucifixion. As such, it is wholly inappropriate for young children." Even if the movie is Biblically accurate, this does not mean that children need to be exposed to the harsh reality of the crucifixion. In pre-release publicity, even those promoting the movie recommend that parents see the movie first and then make the decision if it is appropriate for their children to view.

The Family Ministry Team of UBC recommends that preteen children (under the age of 13) be protected from the graphic violence of the crucifixion and not view The Passion of the Christ. This movie will be available for many years to come. As parents, we should consider that our children will one day be old enough to view it. In the meantime, we recommend protecting and nurturing our children, and allowing them the time they need to be young.

You can read his complete review here http://www.ubc.org/downloads/passion_of_christ.pdf

~Ann
We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open.
-Harry Edwards

Burner02

I will have to wait until next week to see it.

Success leaves clues. People who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results

Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem

THERE IS NO TOMORROW!
- Appollo Creed

Trap-isaurus

lol, Vieope you make me laugh

*^All good things come to those who weight (lift!!!)^*

*^I'm the thread killer
I'm the thread killer
I'm the come from behind
I'm the post attacker^*

Hammerlynn

I too have now seen this movie and went for communion immediately afterwards. Brutal yes....graphic yes...but it is the least I can do to sit and watch what my Savior went through in order for my sin to be forgiven. I sobbed like a baby and had to turn away a few times and just as my Pastor's had said...wanted them to stop whipping him. As someone said, we all killed Christ and what a vivid reminder of that fact. I find my faith renewed and remind myself that I will NEVER know what true suffering is..not like my Lord. Yes...I'm a sap but I cannot encourage enough people to go see this movie, believer or not. I truly feel that Mel Gibson has been used by God to start a movement through this movie. I'd be curious to know if anyone here receives Christ as a result of seeing this movie.

I'll shut up now..could go on about this for days!

Completed:
Indianapolis Mini Marathon 2004 and 2005
Valparaiso Mini Marathon 2006
Chicago Marathon 2004 and 2006

www.myspace.com/fitness_runner

Stickboy

I'll admit, I teared up a couple of times. It is an amazingly powerful experience. I don't want to say movie anymore, because for me, it was something beyond that.

I told my wife, if released on DVD in the future, I would watch it every Ash Wednesday from here on out, lest I forget the sacrafice that was made for us.

I'll stop here, as I would probably join you in going on about it for days

Rissole

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Flex

WOW.........i can't wait to see this movie

You're a funny guy, Sully, I like you. Dat's why I'm going to kill you lahst.


* Got juice?*Need Motivation?*How to Train*
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*YEAH BUDDY...LIGHT WEIGHT!*Ahhnold*

Trap-isaurus

I thought that name was familiar...

*^All good things come to those who weight (lift!!!)^*

*^I'm the thread killer
I'm the thread killer
I'm the come from behind
I'm the post attacker^*

MissOz

yeh....saw it last night too.....brutal....horrific...and beautiful....would you lay down your life for your fellow brother??

Trap-isaurus

maybe a rhetorical question but im gonna answer it anyway, yes I most definatley would, would I compare that to what Christ did, definatley not.

*^All good things come to those who weight (lift!!!)^*

*^I'm the thread killer
I'm the thread killer
I'm the come from behind
I'm the post attacker^*

Rissole