So little of Christs Story can be validated by other historical documents of the time period. When I say "Historical" I mean, historical in the way that the bible has been presented to the masses
Actually, a very great deal of the "Jesus story" can now be "validated" with historical documents, with archaelogical findings, etc. For instance, we now know that the picture of Pilate given in the Gospel of St. John is wholly incommensurate with what is recorded by Roman historians about his governancy of Palestine, leading Biblical scholars--even some of the most orthodox--to conclude that the "Passion Narrative"--or parts of it were interpolated later. But, of course, Mel and people like Mel--whose faith is wholly imbued with heretical fundamentalism--will have no truck with "scholarship." This has been the tendency of Protestantism from its inception, starting with that egregious anti-Semite Luther, who said, of the Letter of St. James, "It is a text of straw, and I will have none of it!"
To me, the movie was made to shake the complacency out of those who have already decided to become Christian, and who take it casually.
I don't think that Zeferelli's version--or even The Last Temptation of Christ--inculcates spiritual "complacency." I KNOW that that mastepiece Jesus de Montreal is FAR more effective than Mel's bloodbath in encouraging the faithful to update their spirituality and USE it in THIS world--rather than pining for "pie-in-the-sky-after-death"--the fulcrum of the Prot Fundos' faith.
I think "The Passion" managed to do this in a way that prior movies about the same topic, haven't.
I doubt you've seen Pasolini's Gospel of Saint Matthew, which comes out of a religious culture far saner than that which prevails in Protestant America.
Ultimately, of course, there will be no agreement between myself and the supporters of this film. However, I DO think it's instructive to draw out the differences. I think it's particularly instructive to my fellow Catholics in America, about whom I feel it is very important that they NOT confuse what Mel is doing with the shreds of his Catholicism and real Christian orthodoxy, which MUST find this film to be a travesty, if it's to remain true to the temper and spirit of original Christianity, and not become bedeviled with American and Protestant perversions.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Mme. Serpentia is right, the rest are crazed by religious fanaticism.
Date: 2004-03-07 12:36 pm (UTC)Actually, a very great deal of the "Jesus story" can now be "validated" with historical documents, with archaelogical findings, etc. For instance, we now know that the picture of Pilate given in the Gospel of St. John is wholly incommensurate with what is recorded by Roman historians about his governancy of Palestine, leading Biblical scholars--even some of the most orthodox--to conclude that the "Passion Narrative"--or parts of it were interpolated later. But, of course, Mel and people like Mel--whose faith is wholly imbued with heretical fundamentalism--will have no truck with "scholarship." This has been the tendency of Protestantism from its inception, starting with that egregious anti-Semite Luther, who said, of the Letter of St. James, "It is a text of straw, and I will have none of it!"
To me, the movie was made to shake the complacency out of those who have already decided to become Christian, and who take it casually.
I don't think that Zeferelli's version--or even The Last Temptation of Christ--inculcates spiritual "complacency." I KNOW that that mastepiece Jesus de Montreal is FAR more effective than Mel's bloodbath in encouraging the faithful to update their spirituality and USE it in THIS world--rather than pining for "pie-in-the-sky-after-death"--the fulcrum of the Prot Fundos' faith.
I think "The Passion" managed to do this in a way that prior movies about the same topic, haven't.
I doubt you've seen Pasolini's Gospel of Saint Matthew, which comes out of a religious culture far saner than that which prevails in Protestant America.
Ultimately, of course, there will be no agreement between myself and the supporters of this film. However, I DO think it's instructive to draw out the differences. I think it's particularly instructive to my fellow Catholics in America, about whom I feel it is very important that they NOT confuse what Mel is doing with the shreds of his Catholicism and real Christian orthodoxy, which MUST find this film to be a travesty, if it's to remain true to the temper and spirit of original Christianity, and not become bedeviled with American and Protestant perversions.