King of Fools

Passion Predictions

As The Passion prepares to open on the big screen, Rabbi Daniel Lapin makes three predictions for the movie:

One, Mel Gibson and Icon Productions will make a great deal of money. Those distributors who surrendered to pressure from Jewish organizations and passed on Passion will be kicking themselves, while Newmarket Films will laugh all the way to the bank. Theater owners are going to love this film.

Two, Passion will become famous as the most serious and substantive Biblical movie ever made. It will be one of the most talked-about entertainment events in history, it is currently on the cover of Newsweek and Vanity Fair.

My third prediction is that the faith of millions of Christians will become more fervent as Passion uplifts and inspires them. Passion will propel vast numbers of unreligious Americans to embrace Christianity. The movie will one day be seen as a harbinger of America's third great religious reawakening.

I agree with Lapin and expect each prediction to be completely fulfilled. I would also add the following prediction:

Fourth: Despite the amazing success of this movie, there will be no increase in anti-semitism because of it. Christians will not leave theaters possessing the desire to damage Jewish property or persons. Instead they will leave humbled by their own debt which was paid by the sacrifice of Jesus.

If any modern media event is guilty of damaging Jewish/Christian relationships, I believe it is the 'anti-passion' campaign. Lapin agrees:

Those Jewish organizations that have squandered both time and money futilely protesting Passion, ostensibly in order to prevent pogroms in Pittsburgh, can hardly be proud of their performance. They failed at everything they attempted. They were hoping to ruin Gibson rather than enrich him. They were hoping to suppress Passion rather than promote it. Finally, they were hoping to help Jews rather than harm them.

...

However, instead of helping the Jewish community, they have inflicted lasting harm. By selectively unleashing their fury only on wholesome entertainment that depicts Christianity, in a positive light, they have triggered anger, hurt, and resentment. Hosting the Toward Tradition Radio Show and speaking before many audiences nationwide, I enjoy extensive communication with Christian America and what I hear is troubling. Fearful of attracting the ire of Jewish groups that are so quick to hurl the "anti-Semite" epithet, some Christians are reluctant to speak out. Although one can bludgeon resentful people into silence, behind closed doors emotions continue to simmer.

The tragedy of the tactics of the ADL and the AJC is that, although intentioned to assist the Jews, they actually alienate what may be the closest allies to their own cause. For the most part, Christian Evangelicals are well disposed towards both Israel and the Jewish citizens of the United States.

I am willing to overlook the actions of these organizations because I do not believe they are truly representative of all Jewish people. They truly need to reassess their goals and methods and who they claim to represent.

King of Fools | 02/20/04 - 06:11 AM
Faith

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Comments

I agree with you, and can’t wait to view this movie. God Bless.

Posted by: Beverly - 08:31 AM - 02/20

I invite you to read an email that Bill Hobbs blogged about regarding a Dallas reporters review of the movie. Read it here.

It’s a powerful review. My blog comments here.

Posted by: DocB - 08:31 AM - 02/20

Yeah, those groups represent most Jews the same way NOW represents most women! (laughing too hard at the ridiculousness of NOW to keep typing

Posted by: Lucy - 09:42 AM - 02/20

Thanks for the tips, DocB.

And Lucy...you get a gold star for your astute analogy.

Posted by: King of Fools - 10:35 AM - 02/20

Well played indeed, Lucy. You are, as my girlfriend often says about herself, “holding back the women’s movement, one day at a time.” :-D

I grow more intrigued by Gibson’s film the closer it nears its release date. My prior position, that I was going to see the movie after the crowds had thinned out, might have to be reevaluated.

Posted by: Mark - 02:45 AM - 02/21

I predict the accuracy of all your predictions. Let’s get out there and use the film as a tool for evangelism.

Posted by: Sarah Angeline - 02:21 PM - 02/23

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