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CHRISTIAN
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CHRISTIAN
NEWS |
10,000 THUMBS UP FOR MEL GIBSON'S MOVIE "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST"
ORLANDO, FL (ANS) -- More than 5,000 pastors and Christian leaders representing over 80 denominations and 43 countries had the opportunity to hear Academy Award®-winning actor/producer Mel Gibson share his faith and film, "The Passion of The Christ," at the Global Pastors Network (GPN) "Beyond All Limits 2" conference, held Jan. 21-23 at Calvary Assembly in Orlando.
The following day, conference organizers held a media briefing for local, national and international reporters to accommodate extensive media interest in reaction to the film from attendees, supplementing exit interviews after the screening the night before. All were virtually unanimous in their praise of the film and commitment to mobilize their congregations in support of its positive message of faith, hope, love, and forgiveness.
Attendees embraced the film as a powerful work of art, and expressed encouragement about Mr. Gibson's strong personal faith and conviction to remain faithful to the biblical text in his dramatic portrayal of this story, without fear or apology. Some compared his unapologetic artistic expression of a the story foundational to the Christian faith to renown theologian Charles Spurgeon's admonition, "The Word of God is like a lion – you don't need to defend it, just turn it loose."
"Anyone who sees this film and thinks that the Romans and Jews killed Jesus missed the point," said John Maxwell, chairman of GPN, and founder of Atlanta-based Injoy. "The point is, 'God, it is my sin that put your Son on the Cross.' He voluntarily laid down His life for all mankind, every person -- not one group of people, not one nationality, not one race, not one religion – but for all people." ------------
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MEL GIBSON'S "THE PASSION" IMPACTS WASHINGTON
Keith A Fournier
I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion," but I had also read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply held aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.
In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded, this "invitation only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place.
The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully inadequate........
This is only a small portion of this report.
Source OpenHeaven.com IRN News Digest : http://www.openheaven.com
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