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Print This section was originally conceived as a way for you to share your thoughts in an unedited, straightforward (and Christian) manner. Except for removing personal attacks, we want this forum to be an accurate reflection of today’s Apostolic movement. What that means is we often publish letters that we might not agree with, but feel are important enough to be voiced. After all, Christ uses those who are willing—not just those who agree with ninetyandnine.com. Likewise, you must share your full name, email, and state because it’s important that those who hold strong opinions must be willing to put their personal reputation behind them. Under certain circumstances, we allow you to request a “Name Withheld By Request,” but we still need that full information to verify your request. (Frankly, we accept articles in the same manner as letters except they’re edited more rigorously and we ask that you use at least one scripture to buttress your writing. It’s that simple!) Now, while The Passion of the Christ fervor is peaking we’d like to explain our review. ninetyandnine.com’s review was anonymous because we wanted to maintain the focus on the cultural phenomenon of this film and not get sidetracked onto the reviewer and any speculation about their walk with God, etc. (Frankly, the reviewer volunteered to use their name with the review, but we decided against it.) In that, we feel like we’ve achieved our goal, as we’ve only received two mentions on the anonymity. (If you disagree with this decision, we would love to hear your reasoning. Tell us at Feedback.) As always, every topic on daily Christian living is open for your comments. We look forward to your next thought…
I was absolutely amazed at the number of people that said that there is nothing wrong with going to the theater to watch a movie. They use the excuse that there is no scripture that says that they should not go to the theater. This stance collapses on a couple of points. The first being that theaters didn’t exist when the scriptures were given. In all reality, this is a mute point because scripture is given. It does not say, “Do not go to theaters,” but if one would look at the life of Moses, Moses had a fence built around the mountain to keep the people away. Anyone who crossed the fence was struck dead by God. You will not find it in scripture that God told Moses where to put the fence. Moses himself decided where the fence was to be placed. A man, Moses, set the standard, but God honored it. The same thing applies here. A man, the pastor, local, and national leaders have set the standard and God will honor it. G. Spencer, Tennessee
I attend an Apostolic church, and our church is renting out two rooms in the theatre to exclusively show The Passion of the Christ. We have also partnered with ICON Productions and have a commercial running hundreds of times a week. The preview for The Passion shows and immediately our Pastor comes on and extends an invitation to come to our church and experience the Passion of Christ. I think it’s wonderful! Please tell me when is the last time an opportunity this huge came around to witness to the mainstream public? This movie sparks interest and controversy and in turn causes curiosity in many people. If the Oneness church that has the whole truth is not there, or is not involved to answer those questions or concerns after the movie who will be? I commend many other denominations who are always on the forefront of evangelism tools and witnessing. It’s the Apostolics turn to step up and participate in something that has the capability of changing thousands of lives! Name Withheld, Texas
If I were pastor...I would like to look at this movie from a different perspective. This is a mass blitz of the church world by the Catholic religion. I listened to Dobson this morning babble his way through an interview with Mel Gibson like he was an authority on the Word of God. I understand that in order to portray this event as he has, there evidently has been intense research into the subject matter, but I would never consider this “Hollywood superstar” in the same ranks as men such as N.A. Urshan, Bishop Trout, Rev. T.D. Jakes, and many other devout men of God. While there may be some validity to Mel Gibson having an experience with God, and I don’t doubt that God can and would use this man for His glory, there still is a caution in my Spirit that tells me that one day there will come a “great delusion,” and that many will “believe a lie and be damned.” It seems as if the North American Church World is flocking to this portrayal of Christ’s crucifixion, presented by none other than the Catholic church. While I am not close-minded to expansion and growth, I am reluctant in my Spirit to embrace any attempt by the Catholic church for unification. That kind of unity I would define as a Unification of Damnation. We as Apostolic Pentecostals need to keep our eyes open, and “walk circumspectly” in this world. I am not against this movie, and please don’t think that I am just trying to find fault, because that is not my intention, there can be great things God can do through this vivid illustration of His crucifixion. I pray that many would come to a place, and ask as did the crowd on the day of Pentecost, “Men and bretheren what must we do to be saved?” And like as you, I will share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ until He comes to take for Himself a bride. Gregory A. Bault, Pennsylvania
Please help me to understand the difference of going to the theater to watch a movie or going to a movie store to rent a movie. I see no difference. At a movie store you have just as much access to other movies and people don’t know what you are renting. To me I think it is a double standard to say you can’t go to the theater but you can watch it in your home. It seems as if you don’t want the world to know what you are doing. Trying to hide it. I understand following the leadership and all the guidelines of the UPC…but come on, truly what is the difference where you watch the movie. Tammy Landon, Ohio
Why was the review of the Passion of the Christ anonymous? This reveals a disturbingly hypocritical vein of our movement when individuals supporting and viewing this movie cannot even admit it. (Not to suggest the reviewer is hypocritical, because I fully understand the standards that his/her local church or district may hold.) I don’t mean to be critical, but something just doesn’t seem right about that. I will admit that I support this film and its intentions. Hollywood doesn’t support it; the liberals don’t support it, claiming there’s something—anything—wrong with it (anti-Semitism, violence, whatever). I will also admit that I am buying a ticket and watching it on its opening night at the local movie theatre. I cannot think of one reason not to go. God is moving and I want to be there. Jessica Simpson, Delaware
Yes, I too agree, The Passion of the Christ was excellent. It gave me more of a love for the Lord Jesus and also gave me more of a revelation of the power of His blood. To apply the blood of Jesus throughout our day, to plead the blood of Jesus over those that are lost and to cover the blood of Jesus on our loved ones. It’s through His blood and through His name (Jesus) that keeps us saved. That’s why it’s so important to be baptized in His name. (Acts 2:38). Linda Castro, California
In this survey, several people responded about not going to the movie theater because of what goes on there. Okay, I need to ask everyone, what kind of movie theater do you go to? It is no longer the place people go to make-out or do “other” things. I really see know problem in going to see this movie. I think we should support it! E. Dunn, Missouri
Why would any Apostolic use a movie as a witnessing tool that has received an R rating? It would be similar to trying to serve a meal from a trash can! Did not the Apostle Paul remind the Corinthians that, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient...” (I Corinthians 6:12). I came into the Apostolic movement because I saw the change in my mother. It is Jesus in you that will win souls. Not what comes out of Hollywood. William C. Parsons, Ohio
RE: If I were the Pastor, my policy toward saints seeing The Passion of the Christ would be… How many times do we hear the words, “Why don’t you believe in movie theaters?” Numerous times friends and coworkers ask me to go to the movies with them, however I have declined. Lately I have seen many holiness standards compromised due to the spirit of this world. Many people don’t see that rebellion is just the beginning to a myriad of sins. This new movie that may depict the love of Christ and the brutality of God’s people has been one that has hurt many walks with God. This movie has impacted many lives and changed many souls, but because the unsaved souls have been touched doesn’t mean we should compromise our own standards for such a reason. The Bible said that we should obey them that have rule over us and that should be enough all of us. However, the Bible also says marvel not at the works of man and that’s just that. Hollywood has stolen the fear of God from us. This movie is not from “Holy” “wood” so we need to put ourselves in check. Cody Gustaveson, Indiana
RE: Flexible Methods Upon An Unmovable Foundation So if we, as a body, are too focused on “issues” such as style of music, style of worship, order of church services, style of hair, facial hair on men, style of clothing, methods of spreading the truth and planting of churches how do we refocus on the important, God ordained, command to go and share the gospel? Many ministers, lay as well as licensed, are being turned away from ministering because of these cultural issues. The generation of today is an educated generation and will research what they are being told to do to be saved. We (the UPCI) have the truth to share but we should revisit some of the “issues” that are forced upon the people, we will stand before our Creator to give an account of all. Alaina Henderson, Texas
I was very shocked to see that most of the people that posted (Survey Sez!), were either not against going to the theater or not against watching the movie at home. Personally, I think it’s rather hypocritical for a person to say you can’t go to the theater but you can bring it in your home. It makes it easy for the people who want to go to the theater to justify doing so. They say “There’s no difference in watching a movie in your home and going to the theater.” That’s exactly right. If it’s wrong to go to the theater, then it’s wrong to bring it in your home, regardless if you think it has a “Christian” theme. Just because something is about Jesus doesn’t make it “Christian.” I also don’t buy all this talk that “it’s a good outreach tool.” That may very well be, and if that’s the case, then why aren’t we experiencing in every church even greater than what the Apostle Paul did with all of our mass media? I think too much emphasis is placed on entertainment. The Passion is just a movie. It is actors and actresses in front of a camera... acting. If you want to see a move of God stronger than what the Apostles saw, then get back to the basics. I know what works without failing—a time of fervent, humble, God-seeking prayer always brings positive results. If it takes actors and actresses on a screen to move you, then I would say that what you need is a long prayer session with God, not a movie. It’s like the proverbial frog and pot of water. If you throw a frog into a pot of boiling water, he will jump out. If you put the frog in cold water and gradually turn up the heat, he will sit there until he dies, gradually getting used to each new temperature increase. Go to the movies one time (even if it is for something you think is justifiable) then it’s easier to go again for something not so “Christian” and a lot easier for something else. It will get easier and easier each time. I’m sad to say that I’m very disappointed with some of the UPC because of the slow decay of holiness standards. I’m almost ashamed to say that I go to a UPC church. I’d almost rather be independent. Lucky for me, our Pastor not only teaches against the theater, but bringing it into your home as well. We don’t even have television sets in our home (maybe that’s why I’m so shocked), because I didn’t think that standards, or lack of, could vary so much from church to church. I will admit that part of me wants to see the movie, but I know better. I also know that a man-made movie isn’t going to bring end-time revival. It’s no more than cheap entertainment. Fasting and praying is the only thing that’s going to bring it. Stop wasting precious time with cheap entertainment and spend more time in fervent prayer. Kenny Boswell, Georgia
Re: Jews Killed The Lord Jesus (February 26, 2004) Pastor Maurice Gordon of Lovingway United Pentecostal Church in Denver has brought shame on the UPCI with the sign in front of his church that reads, “The Jews Killed The Lord Jesus.” He is attempting to capitalize on the national media for his own personal fame or name in lights. You can “Google” search his name or the title of this reply and find numerous articles. It hit CBS, ABC, CNN, FOX, USA Today, The New York Times—you get the point. Evidently they are completely out of touch with the message of Jesus Christ. Jesus said that, “No one takes my life, I freely lay it down.” Christ never dropped blanket condemnation on unbelievers; He was constantly endeavoring to reach them through love. I think this is doing not only our organization a great disservice, but Christians everywhere. I completely disagree with this blatant misrepresentation of the context of scripture as well as this flagrant promotion of anti-Semitism. His thoughts and views are independent of the organization and he should consider changing the name of his church from Lovingway. Jeremy Foster, Louisiana
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