To See or Not to See

Driving home: The matters are of such crucial importance that accuracy must take precedence even over rhetorical comfortability.

The film serves as the central example and catalyst for the entire sermon, prompting the discussion on biblical principles for media consumption.

Church calendar, in approximately 3,500 theaters across our nation, there will be a showing of Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ. And by way of an aside, that number of theaters is the number that was reached when the films Finding Nemo and The Return of the King were at their peak showing, 3,500 theaters. For many weeks, magazine articles, newspaper columns, TV interviews, Internet websites have discussed and debated both the virtues and the potential vices of this film, which, as most of you now know, is a two-hour graphic, brutal, shocking attempt to visually capture the last 12 ...

0:54 - 2:12 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The matters are of such crucial importance that accuracy must take precedence even over rhetorical comfortability.

Medved's assessment of the film's impact, controversy, and Gibson's vision is quoted to establish the cultural context and critical reception of 'The Passion of the Christ'.

Church calendar, in approximately 3,500 theaters across our nation, there will be a showing of Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ. And by way of an aside, that number of theaters is the number that was reached when the films Finding Nemo and The Return of the King were at their peak showing, 3,500 theaters. For many weeks, magazine articles, newspaper columns, TV interviews, Internet websites have discussed and debated both the virtues and the potential vices of this film, which, as most of you now know, is a two-hour graphic, brutal, shocking attempt to visually capture the last 12 ...

0:54 - 2:12 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be pressured by a 'must-see' climate created by society or marketing techniques, but be pressured by your Bible to do what is pleasing to your Lord.

These contemporary cultural events (Janet Jackson's Super Bowl incident and A-Rod joining the Yankees) are used to contrast trivial public discourse with the more significant discussion generated by 'The Passion of the Christ'.

discourse. Frankly, this is much better than the widespread discourse and public discussion about Janet Jackson's bared breast at the Super Bowl several weeks ago. And about A-Rod's coming to the Yankees. Thank God that people are talking about something of worth.

6:05 - 6:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be pressured by a 'must-see' climate created by society or marketing techniques, but be pressured by your Bible to do what is pleasing to your Lord.

Martin recounts watching Gibson's interview, highlighting Gibson's 'manly determination' and resistance to political correctness as a positive aspect, drawing Martin to the man himself.

Secondly, we can and ought to be thankful to God that Mel Gibson has determined to produce a film, and here listen carefully, that for the most part seeks to reproduce the biblical narrative concerning the arrest, trial, and execution of Jesus with a good measure, of literary integrity. The words are qualified, for the most part, and with a good measure. And the implication of those words will be flushed out later. He has resisted the pressure of political correctness. He has resisted the pressure of historical deconstructionism that would rewrite the gospel records, that would completely alle...

6:26 - 7:48 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be pressured by a 'must-see' climate created by society or marketing techniques, but be pressured by your Bible to do what is pleasing to your Lord.

Martin shares a personal anecdote of his pharmacist asking if he would see 'the movie,' illustrating how the film opens doors for Christians to speak to unsaved associates about Christ.

...pick up some medication yesterday at my pharmacist, who is a Middle Eastern man, I believe an Eastern Orthodox, he asked me, as he was giving me my medication, are you going to see the movie?

9:36 - 9:49 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The film's detailed depiction of the death of Jesus, is an unwarranted reenactment, and representation of his death.

A decree from the Synod of Constantinople is quoted to support the argument that bread and wine in the Holy Supper are the only admissible figures of Christ's humanity, contrasting with the film's visual depiction.

And this film, with its detailed depiction of the death of Jesus, constitutes an unwarranted reenactment, and representation of his death. When the Lord Jesus has given the one, visual, physical, representation of his death, as the synod of Constantinople, in 753 decreed, the only admissible figure of the humanity of Christ, however, is bread and wine in the holy supper. This and no other form, this and no other type, has he chosen, to represent his incarnation. And it is not without significance, that this detailed depiction, of the gruesome details, and reenactment, and representation, and r...

21:15 - 22:27 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The film's detailed depiction of the death of Jesus, is an unwarranted reenactment, and representation of his death.

Gibson's own words about his dedication to the Tridentine Latin Mass are quoted to reveal the theological framework informing his film, linking the film's detailed depiction of Christ's death to the Catholic understanding of the Mass.

Quote, It is crucial to realize, that the images and language, at the heart of the passion of Christ, flow directly out of Gibson's, I'm sorry, this is not quote, personal dedication to Catholicism, in one of its most traditional and mysterious forms, the 16th century, the Tridentine, the form of the mass, established in the Council of Trent, the 16th century Latin mass. Quote, I do not go to any other services, Gibson told the Eternal Word Television Network, that's the Roman Catholic Conservative Television Network, quote, I go to the old Tridentine rite, that's the way I first saw it, when ...

22:27 - 23:28 Read in full sermon