I'll take some popcorn

By Domenico Bettinelli, Jr. ( articles - email ) | Dec 11, 2003

Just a few thoughts in reply to Leila's comments about "The Passion." First, I don't think it's yet fair to question the content without having had the opportunity to see it. Will it be glorified violence a la Braveheart or will it just depict the violence done to the Lord as related by the evidence we have? Is it wrong to show the suffering of the Lord? Some of the statues depicting the crucified Christ with all his wounds are pretty disturbing, but maybe the people of this time need to be reminded of what Christ really endured for us.

As for the venue, I have to wonder why not a movie theater? Is a church the only suitable place for prayer and devotion? Were the great Passion plays of Medieval times performed only in churches? Maybe this is an opportunity to baptize a medium that has heretofore only been dominated by garbage. I don't think we should write off a medium of communications because of what others have done. We may as well write off the Internet for the garbage found here.

I am encouraged by this review from the movie fan web site "Ain't It Cool News." This was a secular audience, presumably not much different from the general moviegoing public, i.e. not very sympathetic to Christianity. Yet even this crowd was moved to tears by the movie. I think it bodes well for the evangelical effect it will have.

Finally, of all the people who I respect that have seen the movie so far, all of them found it edifying and uplifting to their faith. That's a pretty good track record.