paradox3 -----you said ----Re: Mel Gibson's movie. I think that many of us who were raised in liberal Christianity grew up naive to the extreme torment Jesus would have suffered
I say ------you are so right about your statement here ----all the years of my growing up and attending church ----the truth of what Jesus really suffered was never talked about ---all that was said was He was nailed to a cross ------Sermons were always on the soft side of scripture----- the Love of God ===not the Judgement of God or the real true Suffering Jesus endured so we could be reunited back to God -----no one ever preached on the hard scriptures----and it is still going on today -------People hate to hear the hard parts of the scripture cause they don't understand them and that includes many Ministers who are standing in the pulpits --
People hate to hear ----Jesus brought division ---not peace --that He was sent to reveal His Father ----not to boost socialism ---He was sent to do away with sin -by shedding His Blood --He was sent to destroy the works of the devil --He was sent to provide an example of a Holy Life -----
I think the the higher archery back then and now are scared to preach and let known the real truth about of what Jesus suffered out of fear of loosing people and having their money drop in the collection plates---Preaching the softness of scripture keeps people in church --------Preaching truth is not acceptable ---cause people can't handle ---
Mel Gibson"s movie is a perfect example of that ----He portrayed the best he could
some truth about His Flogging ---believe me it was much worse than he showed in this movie ----- and he was criticised for what he did show ---I went to see it in the theatre and I sobbed thinking what a show of Great Love God has for us to be willing to endure such suffering so we can be free from sin and death --I was just in Awe and So humbled and Greatfull ------ many people left the theatre ---
The truth is Jesus was unrecognisable as a person due to the suffering He endured for us ---Isaiah 52:14-----and we continue to down play the real truth of scripture by always preaching the lovey-dovey parts and ignore the hard parts ----so I say good for Gibson having the courage to take on the truth of what Jesus endured ---
I say Preach Truth --even if it empties the Church -----