Seeking to have a truly fruitful President's day off, I immersed myself in the idiot box for most of the day (This is something I don't often get to do). It only takes a minute or so to realize that American television is quickly becoming like European telvision: lude and disgusting. Coincidentally, I taught a Bible study on Sunday morning from 1 Peter 4 which begins: "1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. "This pretty much covers all that is in television right now. Amidst news on the San Francisco same-sex marriage licensing (our real life Sodom & Gommorah) and Seattle rallies for the same, I caught reports on the controversy that is currently being caused by Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. Admittedly, Gibson has made some choices throughout his career that don't exactly represent the best witness of Christ. I myself only came to know he was Catholic a few years ago. Nevertheless, Christ is being preached and if the movie's not against us, it's for us and I am excited that the issue is even being broached by the media. I am actually looking forward to viewing the film myself. In general, I shy away from viewing depictions of Jesus. I think we tend to downplay Him as a person. He's long been portrayed as this weak, feeble, dark-haired, blue-eyed, white man. I'm sorry, I just don't think my Savior really looks like that. In spite of that, I believe there's something in this movie for me and for others. With all the controversy at hand, I can only think that God is at work.

Tonight I caught Dateline with Diane Sawyer on the channel I hate: "abc". I must say, Gibson handled himself well. He seemed visibly nervous, however He continued to point his answers back to scripture and not his own opinion. I didn't agree with all that he said like, "Everyone can get into the Kingdom of Heaven, it's just easier if you're a Christian". I can't agree with that, but by and large, he did a tremendous job combatting the questions about anti-semitism and the film being "God-ordained". I've stated in the past that Diane Sawyer practices bad journalism. In general, she comes off as very naïve and horribly biased in most of her interviews. I understand that "things of the spirit" are difficult for non-believers to comprehend, but Diane Sawyer either plays dumb very well or she just is dumb; I'm not sure yet.

Regarding The Passion, a Seattle Rabbi was quoted as saying, "I fear this movie will perpetuate this whole idea of there being a good side and an evil side...." I am restraining myself from saying something entirely too sarcastic in response to that. Let's just say, this is the delusion of the non-messianic Jews. To forsake that there is both good and evil at work on the earth is to deny what God has established on the Earth. Reportedly, the Pope gave the film thumbs up at first, then he didn't, then he did again. I myself can't believe the Pope was coherent enough to even watch the movie. The guy is just plain old. That's another post.