Posts Tagged ‘The Passion of the Christ’
My top ten religious movies for Lent
I love movies that depict the power of faith.
There is no one magic formula for a successful religious movie. Sometimes, it is an historical epic. Other times, it is a story of faith in action. Or it could be a docudrama on the life of a saint.
I especially love to dig into these films during Lent and let the beauty of God’s love wash over me.
Here is my updated top ten list of religious movies I like to watch during Lent:
Read MoreThe Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
In the Catholic Church, January 1st celebrates “The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.”
Pope Paul VI described the celebration in his Apostolic Letter, Marialis Cultus:
Read MoreGod really uses life's screw ups
Even if you’re a total screw up, watch out. God may use you to change the world.
The list of screw ups who changed the world for the good is long. My favorite Old Testament example is …
"If this is the cure, imagine the disease"
By Tom Quiner [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V4jxkoXp2U] This sentence from the Gospel of John is so lacking in heft: “Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.” To John’s audience of his day, they got it. To modern man, we don’t. I think that’s why Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” was so significant. It depicted the…
Read MoreWhy Hollywood won't forgive "The Passion of the Christ"
Hollywood has forgiven many flawed men.
Roman Polanksi, who had sex with a minor, comes immediately to mind.
Woody Allen, who is credibly accused of molesting his child, saw his film win an Academy Award this year.
Robert Downey Jr. was a drug addict who came clean.
Mel Gibson is a different story …
The challenge of making "Jesus" movies
Good Christians have intensely personal relationships with Christ.
My evangelical Christian friends talk about the necessity of establishing this personal relationship, this friendship, with God’s only Son. Catholics pursue this relationship through the Church’s sacraments which are profoundly personal.
In other words, Christians see Christ a little bit differently, even though they are friends with the same Man-God. You can see the challenge filmmakers face when creating movies about the life of Christ …
"The Son of God" movie review
What a scene: Jesus prays in the garden of Gethsemane; Caiaphas prays in the temple to the same God; and Pontius Pilate and his wife pray to their ancestors.
The juxtaposition of these simultaneous events was sheer cinematic drama, and a very creative way for Son of God director, Christopher Spencer to contrast this epic clash of religions. The scene was given added heft by the formidable performances turned in by Greg Hicks as the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, and Adrian Schiller as Jewish high priest, Caiaphas. “Son of God” is a movie worth seeing …
“If this is the cure, imagine the disease”
This sentence from the Gospel of John is so lacking in heft: “Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.” To John’s audience of his day, they got it. To modern man, we don’t.
Read MoreWhat is Hollywood’s true agenda?
Why is Hollywood so interested in creating morally objectionable entertainment that loses money? Why is Hollywood so disinterested in creating uplifting entertainment that so consistently makes money? What is their true agenda?
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