The Passion - A Review of Biblical Issues

I enjoyed this article, from The Seattle Times, about some of the biblical issues behind Gibson's film. The reporter quotes professors from several of the seminaries in the area, and I think they have valuable insights about issues that aren't obvious to a lay person.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001863907_gospels24m.html

I found the conclusion especially pertinent:

The Gospels, Wall said, "don't serve historical ends. They serve theological, religious ends." In that sense, he believes Gibson's "Passion" serves the same purpose the Gospels do.

In interviews, Gibson has said he was depressed, almost suicidal and spiritually empty several years ago. He said he found hope by focusing on the sacrifice of Jesus.

Gibson's "Passion," then, according to Wall, can be understood as a "retelling of the Passion story that makes sense of his own spiritual experiences. And that's exactly right. I think that's what the churches had in mind for these particular stories — that they be interpreted in a way that makes sense of (each person's) own deeply spiritual experiences."

The problem, of course, is that the audiences who see this movie won't necessarily be aware that a film director - like any storyteller - shapes the material by selectivity, and the camera always lies by omission and controls through focus and direction. Despite our media-saturated culture, we are not a media-savvy people. People will look at this movie and think they are seeing "the truth" -- not stopping to consider that truth, especially in a case like this, is far too complex to be set out in a single, neat package -- even if that "neat package" is a major motion picture produced and directed by a highly talented and devout individual.

Magic Mirror Needed

toesontheground suggested in his comment to my “Catching Up” entry that the woman with whom I find myself in conflict at the office might feel threatened by me in some way, and his “for example” involved my intelligence.

This isn’t the first time someone has suggested that someone else might feel threatened by me, but it always takes me by surprise. In my day-to-day life, I don’t feel like a formidable person. I know I’m highly intelligent, but I don’t feel like I display it that much in daily office life. I’ve also been told that I can come across as distant, or even arrogant, when what I’m feeling is shyness. When I step into a situation which calls for me to wield authority, I feel comfortable doing so, but I try not to exert the force of my intellect or personality unless I feel it’s appropriate. And I always try to be respectful of those around me.

( All that being said, I am coming to the conclusion. . . )