Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Two Reviews of The Passion I’ve devoted a remarkable amount of space to The Passion, and it’s time to bring some closure to that chapter by posting two brief reviews of the movie. Please read them both, and thanks to all of you who have read my reviews of other “Jesus movies” and sent alongContinue reading “Two Reviews of The Passion”

Two Reviews of The Passion I’ve devoted a remarkable amount of space to The Passion, and it’s time to bring some closure to that chapter by posting two brief reviews of the movie. Please read them both, and thanks to all of you who have read my reviews of other “Jesus movies” and sent alongContinue reading “Two Reviews of The Passion”

Preaching Grace is Risky Business Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that if we didn’t get complaints that we’d gone too far and said too much, then we probably haven’t really preached the Gospel of grace. That’s been my experience. Almost every time that I preach a strong sermon on justification by grace through faith, by ChristContinue reading “Preaching Grace is Risky Business”

Stand by for the first non-Passion related blog entry in a couple of weeks. Kathy Mattea in Concert. Brown Theater. Louisville, Ky. Friday, March 5, 2004. When I told one of my co-workers I was going to see Kathy Mattea, he said, “Isn’t she a has been?” I said, “Probably, but then look at who’sContinue reading “Stand by for the first”

Two Other “Jesus” Movies Worth Watching: Part Two Jesus Christ Superstar was first released in 1969 as a recording. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice had done a Biblical musical about Joseph, but this was a daring contemporizing of the Gospel story, with little possibility of escaping the wrath of official Christendom. By 1971, itContinue reading “Two Other “Jesus” Movies Worth”

Two Other “Jesus” Movies Worth Watching: Part One Franco Zefirelli’s 1977 “Jesus of Nazareth” is a seven hour mini-series that covers the story of Jesus from birth to resurrection. It is easily the most ambitious “Jesus” project ever attempted. The movie uses a whole generation of great actors, including James Mason, Lawrence Olivier, Anne Bancroft,Continue reading “Two Other “Jesus” Movies Worth”

Stephen Prothero on “The Passion” in Opinion Journal: Mr. Gibson’s idiosyncratic take on this medieval “Man of Sorrows” is plainly a product of American culture. It draws on the Bible, medieval passion plays and Roman Catholic Mariology, to be sure, but also on the macho brutality of the action-adventure movie (blood, gore, repeat) and theContinue reading “Stephen Prothero on “The Passion””

Richard is a Canadian Baptist pastor. I thought his thoughts were worth posting and sharing. Why I (probably) Won’t Go See The Passion- by Richard Campeau The controversial film The Passion of the Christ, directed by superstar Mel Gibson, will be released in theaters on Ash Wednesday. So much has been said and written alreadyContinue reading “Richard is a Canadian Baptist”

My Questions About “The Passion.” I want to be really clear that I have not seen this movie. I will say I’ve devoted more than a year to learning about it, having written one of the first blog pieces on the film almost two years ago. I will be going to see the movie, andContinue reading “My Questions About “The Passion.””

My Review of The Gospel of John: The Movie Denise and I just finished watching the new “Gospel of John” movie. I’d like to say a few things about it. I have two other films that follow the Biblical text as the script. “Acts” is an unmitigated disaster. “Matthew” is ambitious, but odd and unsuccessful.Continue reading “My Review of The Gospel”