The Passion Of The Christ

In 1971, when Jesus Christ Superstar made its first debut, a lot of heads began to turn. During this time period a lot of controversial subjects came to a head. Much disapproval and disagreement was obvious between different people and other religions. In some places, the musical was even condemned. While others played it every chance they could get. Jesus Christ Superstar was based on the crucifixion of Jesus and many were upset as to how the story was portrayed in the musical. The people felt that the way it was twisted to fit a musical was uncalled for. It was classified as a rock opera which was found to be rebellious and it had a negative connotation. People believed it wasn’t religiously correct to associate Jesus with the rock culture.

The Shawshank redemption depicts an innocent man, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), sentenced guilty for murder of his wife and her lover. During the movie we follow Andy’s time in prison and with famous actors Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman working together with director Stephen King, the Shawshank redemption sends a strong message about both incarceration and hope. In my opinion it would be an insult to the film industry in whole to even attempt remaking a movie this powerful. Stephen King has created a character that, despite his wrongful conviction, is able to see light where there is dark. Andy Dufresnes makes the best of the future instead of evaluating the past.

The Bible has been translated into 451 languages, sold over 6 billion times, and depicted in over 40 movies. The Bible and the crucifixion of the Messiah are prominent aspects in cultures all around the world today. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has been translated, dramatized, televised, adapted, and cartooned. In “The Dream of the Rood,” translated by R.M. Liuzza, the Biblical cross comes to life to tell its own version of Christ’s death and resurrection. The author recreated the Biblical account to appeal to the Anglo-Saxon warrior group to effectively convert them. However, the story from the cross’s perspective matches the crucial material of the Biblical account of the crucifixion without defaming Christ.

One of the many things that puzzle people even today; is how Jesus was portrayed and how he became a part of history throughout the centuries. Fortunately, within the book Jesus Through the Centuries, written by Jaroslav Pelikan, readers are able to get a sense of what societies viewed Jesus as and how he was/is important to many aspects of the world such as; the political, social, and cultural impact he had left. As Pelikan discusses this very topic and theme in his book, we see how there’s a connection between his audience in this book and Jesus’s are closely similar. When he got his motivation to write about Jesus through the Centuries, Jaroslav had an open audience, which was intended for anyone of all ages, races, and beliefs to read

The following poster was designed by Noah Van Belle to explore the deeper meaning, found in the film The Shawshank Redemption, in just a single and simplistic image. The primary image, which is a rock hammer, represents the motifs of friendship and hope that is displayed throughout the film. The rock hammer is the first item that Andy, the protagonist, obtains from Red, who is also an inmate. This exchange between Red and Andy is the spark of their strong friendship. This friendship proved to be beneficial to Andy not only because he was able to obtain the resources, that he needed for his escape, from Red but he also had a partner to keep him from going insane, in a brutal place such as Shawshank. Red also benefited tremendously from his friendship

American culture is moving increasingly away from believing in Christianity. However, themes of Christianity has undoubtedly left a huge influence on even secular western culture- from politics to theater to film. Depictions of Christ-like figures and interpretations of Jesus Christ can be seen in a variety of media. One example of an analytic rendition of Jesus’ life is musical production Jesus Christ Superstar, which is a semi-gospel rock opera interpretation of the seven days prior to Jesus Christ’s death. It was first debuted on Broadway in 1971 with a movie adaptation later being made in 1973 by Norman Jewison, which had earnings of over $20,000,000 (Kinnard and Davis). So, what does this widely popular rock opera say about the state of Christianity in the contemporary age? Jesus Christ Superstar is a microcosm of the evolving state of popular understandings of Christianity and overall shift in culture based on twentieth century events such as the World Wars, the Vietnam War and countercultures of the 1960s.

The image of Jesus nailed to a wooden cross by the palms of his hands and with a crown of thorns wrapped around his head is one that has transcended all time barriers. It has inclusive been replicated into figure form that is utilized in various ways but whose primary function is to serve as a constant reminder of the physical suffering endured by Jesus. In The Dream of the Rood however, the perception of Jesus Christ as not only the son of God and savior of mankind but also as a human with the capacity to feel pain, is subverted when through the perspective of a personified cross he is conveyed as a warrior in the midst of combat. The portrayal of Jesus in this way immediately evokes the image of an ideal stereotypical hero who is strong,

Christian’s belief comes from loyalty, values, and allegiance. It is more than just a mental activity . The director illustrates it to the viewers by using religious symbols and imagery. The movie takes place in Louisiana, the fourth most religious state in the United States of America . It is clear to us that most of the characters, including the doctor that gives the lethal injections, are wearing crosses or cross pins on there clothes. The shots that the camera takes of Matthew’s arms show his tattoos of his daughter’s name, swastikas, and more but he does not have anything to do with religion. The director here is inconspicuously showing the viewers something very interesting. At the end of the movie, Matthew confesses to Helen of his sins and she replies: “the truth has set you free” and “you are the son of God” (1:33:45 min). He takes the responsibility of the murders of both those children and his dignity was returned to him. The characters such as the Percy’s and the Delacroix’s (R. Lee Ermy, Celia

As a future film student, ethical communication and proper research are critical to deciding which types of messages are encoded within my scripts. Being integral towards Biblical applications is critical to creating authentic Christian entertainment that inspires and convicts audiences to live uncompromisingly for Christ in the 21st century. My life’s goal is to counter and transform culture through my writings without compromise.

Another comparison to the Bible is the death of Guido to save his son. At the end of the film, Guido is forced by a German soldier to proceed to the place of his death. As he goes there, Guido passes by the crate in which Joshua is hiding. Instead of running from the guard, Guido marches on to amuse Joshua. Similarly, after Jesus was condemned to death, soldiers led him to the hill where he would eventually die. Jesus did not resist. As Jesus marched to his death, he comforted those who wept in sorrow and sadness. Again, Guido acts as Jesus Christ acts in the Bible. In the Bible, Jesus saves His people by giving his life for them. Similarly,

A similar scene in terms of how one viewed God, was that of self-flagellation early on in the movie. With the self-harming of one’s body for sacrifice to God, to suffer as Jesus did, it gives the

The film also depicted that crucifixion was typically a form of death that was harsh, violent, and humiliating, which is accurate in comparison to crucifixions in history. In the film, Jesus was spit on, and the Romans mocked him, saying that if were really the king, that he would save himself. This picture of the Jesus’ crucifixion, and the violence that forced upon him, that was displayed in the film, The Passion of the Christ was an accurate description of what actually happened during crucifixions during the ancient times (Religions).

Many people believe that there is only one account of the Passion of Jesus Christ or they believe that each story is the same; whereas there are four separate Gospel accounts of the Passion of Our Lord. Each of these Gospel accounts supplements the others, however each gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus is unique, not only in how the story is told but also in the events and features themselves. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John clearly present different portrayals of the death of Jesus Christ. By examining each account the reader discovers the evangelist's understanding of the death accounts of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The reader must examine and compare all of the Gospel accounts to have a full and

Many Americans flocked to see Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” On over 2.000 screens across America the viewed the “harrowing depiction of Jesus' last 12 hours in wide-screen vivid color.” (Allen 2004) People viewed images of Jesus being flogged, crucified and left to die. This violence caused some Christians discomfort with theology, and some Jews’ fear that it will “incite violence against them because of its portrayal of Jews’ involvement in Jesus’ death.” (Allen 2004)

Another powerful scene that leads up to the cross is when Jesus carried the heavy wooden pole to a hilltop. In this scene, I was angry and shocked that the Roman soldiers made Jesus carry the heavy cross after his flogging. Jesus had no physical strength after his whipping. But this scene allowed us to see he was willing to take the cross and carry it up to the hill for our sake. We are constantly bombarded with this sacrificial and scandalous love where Jesus knows he is taking in the suffering for our sake. Many of the audience in the movie theatre are Christians, but can also be someone who wants to know Jesus more. When non-Christians see this scene, they may start questioning why is Jesus carrying the heavy cross up to the hill. The movie is portraying extremely why Jesus had to take the cross because he wanted to reveal his love for us. This is not the universal love that we relate to but is a sacrificial and scandalous love which Jesus wants to pour out to the audience. And the visualization of Jesus who is physically incapable of carrying the cross doing the impossible. This visualization allows me and others to sympathize with Jesus, but to understand why Jesus is taking the cross. Jesus is doing to show his love for us and humbling himself before the final act.