The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Passion movie and the 2nd Commandment

Laz,

First of all, if I recall the movie Ben Hur, although I admit to having watched it probably a dozen times over the years, there was only one solitary scene in the entire movie where Christ was clearly introduced. And in that one scene, again IF my aging memory serves me well, you didn't see Christ at all. What you did see was but a shadow of a figure of one who offered a cup of water to Charleton Heston as he was being marched along in a group who were all shackled together, etc. Nevertheless, whether my memory of the movie is accurate or not, what stands true is that Ben Hur should not be our standard for determining whether or not a sinful man should take upon the role of the incarnate Son of the Living God. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hmmmmm, is this YOU asking this? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Let's look at this in the most simple way, shall we?

• The Scriptures forbid the making or use of images and/or representations of any of the three persons of the Godhead.
• The two natures of Christ cannot be separated or intermixed. (cf. Chalcedon)
• It is impossible for anyone to portray Christ as an actor without bifurcating the two natures.
• To attempt to bifurcate the human nature of Christ from His divine nature is to be guilty of the heresy of Nestorianism.
• The human nature of Christ was 100% perfect and thus no human being is capable of portraying it without dishonoring Him and blaspheming God. (cf. 3rd Commandment)
• Scripture commands that Christ be preached in the Church and to the nations. (cf. the New Testament)

Therefore, since it is God's will and explicit command that fallible men preach "Christ and Him crucified" (cf. Acts 5:42; 1Cor 1:23f; 2:2; 2Cor 4:5; 2Tim 4:2; et al), we should not shrink back or refuse to do so, knowing that God has chosen imperfect vessels to preach the Perfect One, Christ Jesus. God has promised that His Spirit will work in and through His Word for proclamation of Jesus Christ with the intent to both call sinners to faith and to edify the saints.

In His Grace,