The movie, 'the passion of the Christ' has
struck a resounding chord of controversy; perhaps this movie gets right
down to the crux of
the matter of: who is Jesus? If Jesus was just a
man, than why the controversy? Gorier films have been made throughout
the last twenty years. But, if Jesus is God, then I expect nothing less
than the most controversy in history to surround one film. And, in the
movie industry, controversy sells.
This brings up the issue of "why have so many made gain off the name of Jesus?" The answer: covetousness.
Throughout history the false church has tried to duplicate the true Church, the Body of Christ; claiming the name of Jesus, religion follows the pattern of forming institutions, etc. and making spoil of it's faithful followers. The Apostle Peter warned us of such false prophets and teachers:
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." 2 Peter 2:1-3
Modern 'christianity' as a whole has become corporate and realizes that in order to stay profitable, they must continually proselytize. With gain in mind, many of these American 'christian' corporations see the controversy surrounding this movie as an entrepreneurial opportunity for the easement of financially strapped congregations, and like parasites they attach themselves to it. This church business is very expensive, with mortgages for new, modern buildings and all those salaries of puffed-up, under-performing staff to pay.
Along comes 'the Passion of the Christ', and naturally, like a corporate takeover, these religious organizations encompass land and sea with the intent to convert the hearts and minds of possible future givers. All this is done in the name of Christ, which makes their judgment even greater; for, knowing the truth of Christ, they willingly go out to make spoil and gain off the people. Now, this is the false church, of which Christ Himself warned of in the Scriptures:
"15. Beware of false prophets, which come
to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles?
17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt
tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit.
19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire.
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven." Matthew 7:15-21
The false church is a tree that grows up looking just like the real Church, but it brings forth evil fruit. Christ called them "workers of iniquity", for in their hearts they were like Judas Iscariot, whom sold Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver and then 'blessed' him with an evil kiss. Often these religious people are marked by their sectarian and covetous behaviors, delighting themselves in methodology instead of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the Power of God. As the money changers in the temple, these people jump at the chance to make a profit off the atoning sacrifice; they are like raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame. They are dogmatic and conceited.
The real Church, the Body of Christ, has invested in the Kingdom of God, knowing that the things of this Earth are fleeting and decayed; having love for Christ, being filled with the Holy Spirit and desiring sound doctrine, The Church has love for the brethren and out of obedience goes forth preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved world. It is promised to those whom live godly in Christ Jesus that they will suffer persecution, as a result of following Him.
Christ and His Body have always been surrounded by controversy. At times, throughout history when the Gospel of Christ has been preached, entire cities were thrown into turmoil. Christ Himself stood in opposition to the institution of the Pharisees because of their hypocrisy, as spelled out in Mathew 23; these Pharisees and Sadducees did everything to be seen by men. Jesus called them blind guides and white-washed sepulchers, looking very beautiful on the outside but full of death inwardly. They loved tradition more than they loved God.
Beware of those who try to lay heavy yokes on your shoulders and give you vast burdens to bear, yet will not lift one finger to remove them; they may even accurately present the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but only to make gain of you.
As for "The Passion of the Christ", the movie really should have been named "The shame, torture and flagrant beating of Christ"; as far as passion, perhaps the movie-makers should have had a little more passion for the Resurrection, and less of the shameful method of His death. Most importantly, they should have made it abundantly clear that Christ bore all these things to the end that our sins would be forgiven, that we would repent and believe.
So, as you go to see this movie, may your passion be for Christ, and not for tradition, knowing that our Lord suffered and died, and rose again, that we might repent and be saved from hell, forgiven of all our sins and prepared as the spotless bride of Christ.
Blessings,
-Steven
Following are three emails in succession, surrounding the Calvary Chapel of Placerville, CA. and their aggressive, corporate sponsorship of one theatre's showing of 'the Passion of the Christ':
February 9th, 2004
To: Mr. Nick, pastor of calvary chapel of
Placerville I was pleased to hear of calvary chapel’s willingness to preach the
Gospel of
Jesus Christ on February 25th, 2004 at 7pm at the Signature 8 Theater in Placerville, California, USA. I was
informed that calvary chapel purchased tickets for that time’s showing
of ‘the passion’, and that you would be preaching the Gospel and passing
out tracts in front of the theater in a public/ common area.
Being united in one Gospel and one faith I would like to bless and
strengthen your efforts to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost
and hell-bound world by donating the time of our experienced ministry
team to pass out tracts and preach in front of the theater with our
fellow brethren. This team has faithfully preached the Gospel in
Placerville for over nine years now and, without treading on another
man’s ministry, we would like to join you. May we continue to be united
in Christ and in the Gospel which we proclaim.
The Gospel is the power of God; it has the power to change the most
hardened of hearts, slicing down into the sinews, between bone and
marrow. It is with eternity in mind that one preaches of Christ, knowing
that tomorrow is promised to no man.
We will supply our own tracts as not to be a burden to anyone; all
members of the team have been fully trained in the Scriptures and have
labored for many years. May our swords be united and sharpened in the
Word of God and go forth, with no material gain in mind, but only for
the power and glory of our Lord, blessed be His name.
- Steven, a fellow worker and brother in Christ
PS: You don’t have any problem with us going out and preaching on the
same night in the same area, do you? If so, please let me know. -
Steven
02-11-04
Dear Steven -
I'm Pastor Nick's Secretary, and he asked me to respond to your
fax
regarding "The Passion" movie.
We appreciate your interest, and your willingness to help us
pass out
tracts, but we must decline the offer. We have received permission from
the Placerville Signature Theatre to distribute tracts, but on a very
specific basis. We will be using a specified number of people from
within our fellowship, according to our agreement with them. We are
blessed to have a many people within our fellowship who have a heart
for reaching the lost, and this will be a great opportunity for them to
share the Gospel.
Again, thank you for the offer. May the Lord bless you as you serve
Him.
In His Service -
Kathy
February 12, 2004
Attn: Kathy, spokeswoman for Pastor Nick and Calvary Chapel of Placerville;
Thank you for your kindly reply; it is evident that Pastor Nick has
surely chosen a competent woman for his response. It is regrettable that
Pastor Nick was unable to respond to me as one man and brother in
Christ to another.
To clarify an apparent misunderstanding, I do not believe we
were seeking Pastor Nick's blessing to preach that night, although such
a charitable act would truly be a response of The Church (which is
concerned with doctrine, verses dogmatic methodology).
As disillusioning as this may be to Calvary Chapel of
Placerville, (or pastor or spokeswoman) The Church, the Body of Christ,
is commanded to go forth and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ
regardless of what any sectarian institution may dictate. Not to be a
nuisance, however, our ministry team will not go beyond the Scriptures.
We are not interested in what gain such an event would bring us and will
stick to the common areas and areas of public access only, as not to
thwart your agreement.
If Reverend Nick would like to graciously bestow his Biblical,
contextual reasoning as to why his evidently sectarian group would
ostracize fellow brethren committed to the preaching of the Gospel, then
perhaps we will consider another procedure.
My most sincere considerations,
Steven
worker for Christ
Notification of Publication:
Attn: Kathy, spokeswoman for Calvary Chapel of Placerville and Pastor Nick;
February 28, 2004
For your records we have published your public interpretation for Pastor Nick and for Calvary Chapel of Placerville, CA, linked to the URL listed below; if you are prompted to make another public doctrinal statement for Pastor Nick and Calvary Chapel of Placerville, you can contact us via the response form on InformationGospel.net.
Thank you once again,
Steven
We encourage you to email the author to prove or disprove, from the Scriptures, the intent, meaning, purpose or doctrine of this piece. email Steven