Reports of changed lives abound as thousands take in ‘Passion’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--After months of speculation surrounding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," the film opened as a blockbuster Feb. 25 with estimated first-day earnings exceeding $20 million. But more significant than the dollars is the number of changed lives that emerged from the 3,000-plus theaters on the first day alone.
In Maryland, 13-year-old Michael McKoy said the movie about the last 12 hours of Jesus' life has caused him to reconsider his daily behavior.
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| Clear vision Chris Rouse, minister of worship at College Heights Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., had to take several moments to gain his composure before he was able to share his thoughts with Baptist Press. Photo by Morris Abernathy |
In Dallas, 27-year-old Lauren Reagin found the film to be emotional and difficult to watch. She said knowing that at any time during the excruciating beating Jesus had the power to say it was enough and quit was a powerful testimony that will have an impact on her outlook for the future.
FIRST-PERSON: Who killed Jesus?
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--The controversy over Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ” has renewed a debate that has been raging off and on for the last two millennia: Who is responsible for the death of Jesus Christ? Several answers have been offered, each one with a unique twist on the event.
ANALYSIS: ‘Passion’ : 5 questions that deserve good answers
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Five major responses will be voiced by nonbelievers who watch Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ” and are asked, "What do you think about Jesus?"
FIRST-PERSON: ‘Passion’ answers question of who Christ is
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--“Who killed Jesus Christ?”
100-plus Mo. lawmakers see ‘Passion’ courtesy of 2 churches
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| Senator’s assessment State Sen. Norma Champion was among 100-plus Missouri legislators who viewed the new Mel Gibson film, “The Passion of The Christ,” at the invitation of two Baptist churches. “I’ve seen many, many films about Jesus,” she said, “but I’ve never sat through one where I felt like I was actually experiencing it.” Photo by Allen Palmeri |
More than 100 came, including House Speaker Catherine Hanaway, R.-Warson Woods, and Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R.-Cape Girardeau.
First Baptist Church, Festus-Crystal City, sponsored the Senate’s tickets, while Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, sponsored the House’s.
FIRST-PERSON: ‘The Passion’ of a gifted storyteller
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Hollywood is notorious for typecasting, but the truth is, we all typecast in some form or another, consciously or unconsciously, putting people into little boxes and then insisting they stay there.
‘Passion’ provides opportunity to explain the cross, Mohler says
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--With Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of The Christ" set to open in theaters nationwide Feb. 25, Christians must be prepared to explain that the cross of Christ is God's means of saving sinful human beings, R. Albert Mohler Jr. told students Feb. 19 at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
WORLDVIEW: Envying Mel Gibson
RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Evangelical Christians are so excited about "The Passion of The Christ" they're almost selling popcorn in the vestibule.
FIRST-PERSON: ‘The Passion’: a work of art
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (BP)--Ever since Cecil B. DeMille's 1927 version of "King of Kings," Hollywood has relied on the greatest story ever told to add to studio coffers. But films that placed the camera on the faces of those who came into His presence ("Ben Hur," "The Robe," "The Fourth Wiseman"), rather than focusing on an actor attempting to portray the Son of God, have best allowed our imaginations to connect with the impact Jesus has had on mankind. After all, there has never been a more difficult role to undertake. How does an actor portray a personage that is both man and God? It hasn't been successfully done.
Thousands of ‘Passion’ tickets bought for churches’ witness
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (BP)--For 30 minutes after viewing "The Passion of The Christ" film by Mel Gibson, not one of the eight staff members of Shadow Mountain Church in San Diego said a word to each other.
