| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ( B ) SCRIPTURAL EXAMINATION People who want to do films about Jesus and His crucifixion have the right to do so, that is their business. However, when films are being produced and developed which come with tagged claims of direct involvement of the Holy Ghost, healings and the conversions to Christianity, then Christian people need to approach such films with honest, skeptical and most importantly, scriptural examination. Especially when contradictory statements and actions are evident concerning the films� development and within the film itself. If such claims are discovered to be false and unfounded, then it behooves the Christian to reprove and reject such works and claims and warn other fellow believers and non-believers when possible, ( 2 Timothy 4:1-4 ). All Christians have the responsibility according to Gods� Word to study, test and examine issues and matters of the Christian faith. For example, in the 17th chapter of Acts, the people of Berea not only had heard Paul and Silas preach from the Word but the people of that Berean community also actively searched the scriptures to verify for themselves whether or not Paul and Silas were speaking the truth ( Acts 17:10-12 ). The Berean people did not, without scriptural research and verification, just accept and embrace what Paul and Silas had claimed and preached. They went to verify, via Gods� Word, those words and claims which were preached to them. The scriptures also give these instructions to the Christian; 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. - 2 Timothy 2:15-16 17. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. - Ephesians 5:17 21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. - 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Christians should never readily embrace any project, endeavor, teaching or organization just because such matters carry a Christian label or just because the name of Jesus Christ or the person of the Holy Spirit is being associated with such things. Nor should Christians readily embrace projects, endeavors, teachings nor organizations just because there are claims of healings, Holy Spirit involvement or conversions to Christianity. Jesus Christ warned His disciples against the doctrines of the spiritual, religious leaders of their day; 6. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. - Matthew 16:6 12. Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. - Matthew 16:12 Again, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because their traditions and commandments actually violated and transgressed Gods� commandments; 3. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? - Matthew 15:3 6. And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. - Matthew 15:6 So it can be seen from these few words of Christ that not every word nor person really and truly represents God and His Truth even though such words and persons may appear to do so. Again, Jesus shows the true colors of those who feign to be of God as He stated that their manmade doctrines and commandments actually proved to be hypocrisy whereby the heart of those religious people were not really for God and even their worship of God was vain; 7. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. - Matthew 15:7-9 ( See also Mark 7:6-13 ). The prophet Isaiah places Gods� Word as the criteria for what is light ( of God ) as opposed to darkness ( not of God ); 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. - Isaiah 8:20 Christians should obtain information surrounding any project, endeavor, teaching or organization which makes claims in the manner of Holy Ghost involvement, healings and conversions to Christianity. In doing so, then a sufficient and fair examination by holy scripture can be done for the purpose of verifying whether or not such claims are really supported and have the backing of scriptural teaching and instruction. Scriptural examination causes the Christian to know and discern what is good and what is evil, ( 1 Kings 3:5-10 / Job 32:8 / Hebrews 5:13-14 ). Thus those matters ( i.e., projects, endeavors, teachings and organizations ) which are deceptive and do not meet the scriptural standards of Gods� approval should be reproved and rejected by the child of God, ( 2 Timothy 4:2-4 ). The statements and claims which Mr. Gibson has made along with the positive, evangelistic claims regarding his Passion film really put a whole different perspective on the film. A perspective in which all persons confessing the Lord Jesus Christ should seriously be examining with fair, honest scriptural discernment. In the following segments, I want to discuss and scripturally examine the background information concerning the films� development which involve reported remarks and actions of Mr. Gibson and his production company, Icon Productions, as they have gone about to gain the acceptance of Christian leaders and lay people. Moreover, is the matter of the alleviating of Jewish concerns due to alarming voices which have claimed an anti-Semetic bent in the film and then also the matter of Mr. Gibsons' Roman Catholic faith in relation to the film. ----------------------------------------------------- |
| A - Holy Ghost working through me B - Scriptural Examination C - Validation of other people - Pt. 1 D - Validation of other people - Pt. 2 / other source material |