Helen Martin’s Blog

No, I am not suddenly sorry I spent the time and money I did to see his breathtakingly beautiful movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” Neither the latest headlines followed by articles by giddy writers, nor even the one or two beefs* I had with the film itself negates it’s worth.

But I am disappointed. Allegedly.**

When that film first came out the anti-Semitic thing was all you heard about. I didn’t necessarily think that Mel Gibson was born again - not that I ever heard him claim to be - but I did believe that the anti-Semitism charge was a crock. And that was because the only evidence I heard to support the accusation was that he included the whole story of Jesus’ crucifixion in the movie. Was it actually a news flash for people to hear that it was certain Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time who conspired to have Him put to death? Really? How could that be? And how could anyone make a movie about the last hours before the cross and leave that part out?

The Bible - Old and New Testament - isn’t anti-Anyone. I guess there is an odd sense in which it’s anti-Everyone, in as much as, “All we like sheep have turned astray.” Or maybe it would be most accurate to say that all people are anti-God; until He moves in and transforms them. And the Bible says that can be for “whosoever will.”

Why the push by so many to show the New Testament to be anti-Semitic? And why does the pressure come from some who name His name (in vain?) as well as from some who reject Him.

No matter how you look at it, neither those who wish to dismiss Jesus - claiming that His or the Apostles teachings are anti-Semitic - nor those who imagine He’ll shield them in their hatred, have a leg to stand on.

The words of the Bible are what determines what the Faith is. I am not dealing with anything that happened after Jesus rose from the grave and the remaining Scriptures were written. Authentic Christianity - what I believe - is not what Man has done in the intervening years; it’s what Jesus and the Apostles taught as recorded for us in the New Testament. And every action and teaching of everyone subsequent to that has to undergo the scrutiny of those original teachings.

The Bible is full of pretty and not pretty depictions of various Hebrews/Jews. I wonder why? BECAUSE THE WHOLE STORY IS ABOUT THEM. The chosen people are the centerpiece of God’s working in and among the human race. But if you want to know the truth - the ugly truth - I KILLED JESUS just as much as Annas and Caiaphas, or Pilate or the Roman soldiers for that matter. It was for MY sin that He died. (And yours and his and hers and theirs…)

Is Mel Gibson a reflection on Christianity? On Me? On Jesus?! HEAVENS!

Drunkenness, the great equalizer, may have revealed that Mel Gibson is an anti-Semite after all. Or… Something. Anything? Golly, I wish I could think of some reason why comments like he’s reported to have made would just come out due to being plowed. It’s really hard to give him the benefit of the doubt here. He has been one of my favorites for years and I really wish it was easier to find that doubt for him now. Grrrr.

In any case, all this proves is that Mel Gibson needs to be transformed (either initially or additionally) by the God of love, the Father of our Lord Jesus; who can save Jews, Muslims, “Christians”, Anti-Semites and Loud Mouthed Red Heads!

And above all, it needs to be pointed out that nothing in the Bible gives the faintest glimmer of endorsing, instructing or promoting in any way any form of racism or anti-Semitism. And that was a period, not a question mark.

*… and about the movie: My main issue was that one scene - parts of which were crushingly poignant for it’s depiction of Mary’s love for her Son - in which she didn’t want to watch Him carry that cross any longer, but was urged on by her companions. The idea was supposed to be that He needed her presence, her strength, in order to be able to go on. I imagine that in reality it was exactly the reverse. I can picture her wanting to turn away her face but not being able to; and Him comforting her with just a look through bruised and swollen eyes; Him pouring out His all sufficient grace even as He poured out His life for her and the rest of us; giving giving giving until and beyond the point when He cried, “It is finished.”

**… about the “Alledgedly”: Here is Mr. Gibson’s post-DUI statement:

“After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed,”

“I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the LA County Sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person.

“I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable.

“I am deeply ashamed of everything I said. Also, I take this opportunity to apologise to the deputies involved for my belligerent behaviour. They have always been there for me in my community, and indeed probably saved me from myself. I disgraced myself and my family with my behaviour, and for that I am truly sorry.”

“I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse.

“I apologise for any behaviour unbecoming of me in my inebriated state, and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health.”