Mel Gibson

[leinad]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4224452/

It would be really, really awkward to be in a relationship like that.

[Josh]

[dgp11776]

Wow...that one came out of left field for me.  Based on some earlier quotes and, well, the fact that he's making "The Passion of the Christ," I had my hopes up about him.  But that's just wretched theology.

[oneafroboy]

I find it a little troubling that he trusts whatever comes from the "chair," meaning the Pope. I had always thought that the Bible was the final authority in these things... I guess someone will be surprised in the next life...

God can still use his art for His glory and His purposes. I don't agree with the man on his thinking, but if he's making a pretty biblically accurate portrayal of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ, then it will still be pretty powerful.

[Vlad!]

I assumed that 'the chair' meant God...the great white throne of judgement.

Interestingly, I've read that he disagrees with some of the Vatican II changes to the Catholic faith...this doesn't make him a devout Catholic, it makes him a heretic in the eyes of the church: once the pontiff makes a decree ex cathedra, he has spoken with the authority of Christ, and his words have the weight of gospel. So if Gibson disagrees with it, he is disagreeing with Christ Himself, the way the Catholics see it.

So do I... only it's the church universal, not the Catholic church!

Yes, but Catholic means Universal, so they believe they ARE the universal church. Monolithic, no?

Anyway, if I understand Catholicism correctly, the sacrament of baptism removes original sin by the power of Christ (hence the need to atone for sins after baptism...Christ's death only absolves us of the original pall of sin from Adam, not our own sins). Any sins after this send the believer to purgatory as atonement. I don't know if purgatory is still around as a concept today, but if it is and his wife really believes in Christ as he says, I would think that she would be destined to purgatory for a while, not hell. But I don't know. That article does disturb me somewhat.

[oneafroboy]

Ah, I guess I didn't see it that way, Vlad!.

And the thing about baptism. Baptism in the Catholic Church (and only Catholic Baptism counts) removes original sin, which allows you into purgatory and eventually heaven. If you are not baptized (had a Catholic baptism), you still have original sin, which bars you from purgatory and heaven. In another words, you're going to Hell.

Now of course, I know a few Catholics, and none of them hold to this belief and I have not met a Catholic yet who has believed in purgatory. Unfortunately, I believe many Protestant pereceptions of the Catholic Church are a bit outdated...

So, who knows with Gibson. I'm still glad he's making this movie.

[Skrappybiskit]

Yes, but Catholic means Universal, so they believe they ARE the universal church. Monolithic, no?

Ironic that they preface the word universal with a word refering to a particular national identity. Like "We're the universal church, of the Romans."

Sprkas

[Vlad!]

Ironic that they preface the word universal with a word refering to a particular national identity. Like "We're the universal church, of the Romans."

Yes, very ironic. I understand what they mean, but it seems contradictory. Catholicism is full of contradictions and problems (for instance, what happens when one infallible pope disagrees with a previous infallible pope?), but I'm sure there are plenty of outsiders who feel the same way about protestantism.