“The Passion”, Soul Food for Fat, Stupid Religionists

Posted by Michael Bunker
editor@lazarusunbound.com

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:18-23)

February 19, 2004 – When Jesus Christ walked the earth; mankind came face to face with the incorruptible God of creation.  But they would not have Him or glorify Him as God.  The Light shined in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended Him not (John 1:5).  “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:10-11).

Jesus Christ? Or an image of Jesus Christ?

When the real Jesus humbled Himself in order to meet with man, the whole world did not gather to see him in plush theatres, but in fact,

“The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:26-28).

The Kings of the world, the Gentiles and the people of Israel (uh… that’s everyone by the way) gathered together to crucify Jesus Christ, while He still walked among them as the “fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9), thus fulfilling the prophecy that said:

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalms 2:1-3).

You see, when they knew God, they glorified Him NOT as God.  They glorified Him not at all.

Get this, and get it straight…

When God in the flesh, the authentic, 3D, Jesus Christ of Nazareth really and truly walked the earth and met with religious men… THEY CRUCIFIED HIM… now they sell tickets to see it.

Now we are confronted with a 2D image of “the christ” who is not only NOT GOD, but who was formed in the mind of a radical Papist, whose words were translated by a Jesuit priest, and who is being pushed by the marketing arm of the largest profit-making religious system in the world… and we are told to expect that this false image of “christ” will convert men to the real Christ, who was crucified by the same religious men who are selling the false “christ”?

Hmmmm.

The Marketing of the Honkey Christ

It was prophesied that these antichrists would eventually form an image of God out of their own imaginations; an image and likeness of Him made after the manner of corruptible man.  For centuries, idolaters have painted an image of Jesus that cannot be correct.   They turned the humble, non-descript middle-eastern Messiah into a long-haired, blue-eyed, gentile Jesus; an image formed from the depths of their own fallen natures.  They pushed this Jesus in magazines and study materials, in coffee shops and supermarkets.  They painted him into their Bibles, and adorned their walls with him.  They formed icons and talismans out of a concocted picture they dreamed up in their minds.  They put his face on calendars and bookmarks; they pushed this white, blue-eyed, hippy Jesus in schools and prisons.  Mankind’s foolish, religious heart has been so darkened that he has gone the way of Antichrist; that foul villain who the Bible predicts would someday erect an image that the whole world would think is really God.

“Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee” (Deuteronomy 4:23).

Fallen man will not have God as God; they will not have the spiritual reality.  Instead, they will always make an image after the vanity of their own imaginations.  They love images, you see, because images do not judge; images do not condemn.  It is the inevitable goal of the fallen, religious mind, to make and have an image in order to have some type of relationship with “god”.  It has always been this way.

In the desert of real history, religious man always rejected the real God in favor of God’s they made themselves:

“They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 32:8).

When these men have the chance to meet with the real God, they will not do it:

“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:19).

Christ in the desert?  Christ in the theatre?

Jesus warned us that false religionists (false prophets, false “anointed ones”) would try to get us to go see an image of Him:

“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together” (Matthew 24:23-28).

We will examine this interesting prophecy of Christ as we go along; but it is interesting to note that Mel Gibson, a Papist movie maker, has now presented his image of Christ to the world in the form of a Motion Picture produced by his own company ICON PRODUCTIONS, entitled “The Passion of The Christ”.

From Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:

I'CON, n. [Gr. an image, to resemble.] An image or representation.

PRODUC'TION, n. [L. productio.] The act or process of producing, bringing forth or exhibiting to view.

ICON PRODUCTION:  the act of producing and bringing forth an image.

Mel Gibson, Pre Vatican II Catholic, has created and brought forth for your viewing pleasure, an image or representation of “christ”.  He has said, “Lo, here is Christ”.  The Pope of Rome and his henchmen have now validated the claim, and have declared the authenticity of this image of Christ by saying, “It is as it was”.   They have even gone so far as to infer that to reject this movie, is to reject the gospel:

“...if they're critical of the film, they would be critical of the Gospel” (Archbishop John Foley, President, Pontifical Council for Social Communications, The Vatican)

So what we have before us is a moving, speaking image (made by man) of Jesus Christ who is now in heaven. We are being exhorted by the Antichrist (The Popish church) and the False Prophet (Apostate Protestantism) to look upon this image and be emotionally moved by it.  The entire religious world is pushing this image of Christ in a way that has been unseen in history.  The Romanists, who have executed over 100 million Christians in their continued thrust to mass market the corporate “Jesus”, recently launched a website in order to promote “The Passion” movie as a means of recruiting for the Roman Catholic Church (the largest and most deadly cult in the world).  Here are some quotes from Protestants taken from that Catholic website in their attempt to “win souls” to the Antichrist.  Please listen to the actual words these religious men (who have seen the film) use, and you will see that my position that this movie creates a lasting, visual image of Christ in the mind is accurate:

“The Passion is one of the most amazing images of the real account of the Crucifixion. What struck me most was the gritty, in your face account of the ultimate hero Jesus Christ. Although graphic and brutal, it is a film worth taking your children and friends to witness on the big screen. This may be the next great evangelism tool of our time.” -Brian Blomberg, VP and Chief Development Officer, Promise Keepers

“Every time I preach or speak about the Cross, the things I saw on the screen will be on my heart and mind.” -Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

“It has been nearly three weeks since I saw the rough cut of The Passion. It is still impacting my life. I can't stop thinking about it nor can I stop talking about it. I have never seen a film that has so affected my life.” -Del Tackett, Executive Vice President, Focus On The Family

“Three words summarize for me: Sobering, Stunning, Haunting. The film speaks for itself. I hope you keep the graphic nature of it complete in the film, because it will cause everyone to reflect on what His death was. The world tends to wash over this directness. The details are very accurate -- this is the kind of death our Lord died for me.” -Dr. Darrell Bock, Research Professor of New Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary

“As President of Young Life, I am pleased to voice my strong support for The Passion. The Young Life sphere of influence includes tens of thousands of staff and volunteers, as well as hundreds of thousands of adults and kids who would be lining up in an instant to see this film. In addition, I think the film will have mass appeal to people of any faith or no particular faith, simply because of the quality of the production and the historical nature of the content.” -Denny Rydberg, President, Young Life

“I have no doubt that the movie will be one of the greatest evangelistic tools in modern day history. I think people will go to it and then flood into the churches seeking to know the deeper implications of this movie.” -Ed Young Jr., Pastor, Dallas-Area Fellowship Church

“I believe The Passion of The Christ may well be one of the most powerful evangelistic tools of the last 100 years, because you have never seen the story of Jesus portrayed this vividly before.” -Greg Laurie, Harvest Crusades

“The thing that I'm most excited about is the opportunity it's going to give those of us who preach the cross.” -Jack Graham, President, Southern Baptist Convention

“I found it deeply moving, factually accurate and unprejudiced in its presentation.” -Jack Hayford, Chancellor, The King's Seminary

“It is deeply moving, powerful, and disturbing. A film that must be seen - although the graphic scenes of the scourging of Jesus are emotionally wrenching.” -James Dobson, Chairman, Focus on the Family

“Mr. Gibson has attempted to painstakingly recreate the crucifixion of Christ, not to assail Jews, but to arouse in people a desire to understand the price paid for their salvation. I am praying that Mel Gibson's movie will have a powerful impact on our culture and that it will appeal to millions of movie lovers who are starving for a glimmer of honesty regarding the miraculous and life-changing story of the One who died for everyone, no matter their religious heritage, station in life, sexual preference or skin color. (From Falwell Confidential, Sept 24, 2003)” -Dr. Jerry Falwell, The Liberty Channel

“It took a brave heart to make "The Passion". "The Passion" is the most graphic, gritty and gripping depiction of Christ's arrest, trial and execution ever made. As a film, it will become a classic work of art with dramatic lighting, authentic sets, compelling music, realistic dialog, believable actors coupled with a timeless story.” -Jim West, President, Faith Television Network

“The Passion will stun audiences and create an incredible appetite for people to know more about Jesus. I urge Christians to invite their spiritually seeking friends to see this movie with them.” -Lee Strobel, Former Atheist & Author "The Case for Christ" & "The Case for Faith"

“This will do for "Jesus" movies what "Saving Private Ryan" did for war pictures. Every Christian MUST go see this movie and hold Mr. Gibson up in prayer. He's going to take a lot of heat for this project, but if we'll support him, this movie could have a profound spiritual effect on millions of people.” -Paul Crouch, Jr., Trinity Broadcasting Network

“Brilliant, biblical - a masterpiece.” -Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Church and Author of "The Purpose Driven Life"

 “I can't tell you how I admire, respect and applaud you.   May God give you the blessing you need, where you need it most. The Passion is an awe-inspiring portrayal of the last hours of Jesus' life. It is an accurate account of Jesus' real sufferings for the sins of the whole world. This is not a film anyone should miss.” -Dr. Robert Schuller, Crystal Cathedral / Hour of Power

“From a ministry perspective I tried to imagine what young people would think and how they would respond. My hope is that they will also be captured by the presentation. I believe they will because it is simply the telling of God's story. I am most encouraged by the fact that they will see a true representation of Jesus: fully God and fully man.” -Roger Cross, President, Youth For Christ/USA

“Everyone should see this movie.It could be Hollywood's finest achievement to date.” -Tim LaHaye, Tim LaHaye Ministries

All the horrible theology portrayed in these quotes notwithstanding, are all these so called “Protestant” men and ministries really convinced that a movie about the crucifixion of Christ will do what they believe the ACTUAL crucifixion of Christ did not?  Or are they just deceived deceivers, carelessly promoting a blatant violation of the 2^nd commandment?

Charismatics and Fundamentalists, Ecumenists and Papists, Bible Societies and Universalists, all singing the praises of a two dimensional “jesus” made from light and shadow projected on a flat screen; all agreeing that this image is fundamentally better and more effective at portraying the reality of God’s mind concerning the Crucifixion than the Bible is.

Demolishing the 2^nd Commandment

The decalogue is another word for the “Ten Commandments” (which expression actually does not appear in the Hebrew, but instead is rendered “THE TEN WORDS”).  The miraculous and solemn way in which the Ten Words were delivered to the children of Israel identifies them as separate and distinct from the 600+ other ceremonial and sacrificial laws (which served as types and shadows of that which was to come), and as an exposition of God's own character and reality. God’s moral law and personal character was loosely encompassed in the “Ten Words”, and in fact, Christ Himself summed them up in the two laws of Christ which enumerated our obligations to God and man:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

There were other moral laws in the scriptures which were listed separately, but which also fell under the “Ten Words”; these were the “pre-law” commandments which set out the divine institutions of God (such as biblical marriage, government, nationalism, church, etc.).

The best way to understand the bounds and extent of the 2^nd commandment particularly, is to study the purpose of God in giving the Decalogue to us. Those who do not wish to seek and obey the mind and Word of God on this issue, will play lawyer-ball with the words until they comfortably fit their own current life within the new boundaries they have created; but God's purpose is that we be conformed to His mind, and not that we conform His law to what we already are.

It is evident that the purpose of the 2^nd commandment involved a defense against the devil’s proclivity to change the visual images that all humans carry in their minds, and to conform those images to his evil and wicked ends in order to rob God of the Glory He receives when He is worshipped according to His proscribed means, and not according to the wicked devices of devils and men. In short…we are only allowed to worship God in the manner and according to the means that He alone has commanded. No other manner or means of worship ascends to Him, and no other worship is received of Him.

The devil, knowing this, has gone about to pervert Godly worship. It ultimately is his wicked purpose to replace the God of the universe with “another God” (or another Jesus) of his own making. Images of things in heaven or on earth, when made by the cunning of man and according to his own devices, when used in a religious setting or according to a religious purpose, serve to replace the reality of God in the minds of man, with a proxy (another Christ).

Now specifically, let us examine the pictures of Jesus (films, pictures, icons, etc.) that are now everywhere. What purpose do these images serve? We can be sure that they do not represent, nor can they ever represent the fullness or reality of the God/Man Messiah. No 2D or 3D image, made by the cunning of man, could ever show us Jesus. They all must naturally be LESS THAN Jesus – and so, naturally must be “another Jesus”.  Now, aren't we warned against having anything to do with "another Jesus"?  Aren't we commanded not to go to the mountains or the desert (or to the movie theatre) if someone is to say “hey, Jesus is here” or “Jesus is there”?

Now, notwithstanding the cries and objections of those who think they are spiritual enough to break the law of God with impunity (Oh, and these so-called “christians” will flock to see this movie), you would have to admit that probably 99% of those who have any concept of a “Jesus Christ” at all, have a conception of him (blue eyed, long hair, etc.) that was invented by idolaters. I dare say that probably just about everyone who reads these words must combat this false image (which exists between their own ears) of this concocted image of Jesus Christ. When you pray, the false Jesus is in your mind. When you worship, the false Jesus is there! We naturally must combat that picture EVERY DAY, merely because, from the time you were a child, the fallen and rebellious religious world has projected this false picture of Jesus Christ into your head.

So the spirit (which maketh alive) of the commandment is that we be careful not to let the devil replace the reality of the Biblical God with the image of what man thinks about God.

So, we can determine that any attempt to draw Christians into this idolatry is born in the mind of the devil, should be eschewed by all true Christians, can only serve to lessen and rob from the Glory of God, specifically and particularly creates an image of Jesus (who is in heaven) when in reality the image is a false and lying image (albeit it is made to speak).

False controversy, designed to hide the REAL offenses

Despite all the contrived controversy over this film (in reality, there is no controversy at all amongst the “professing christian” world, but in fact there is shocking and unprecedented support and agreement, bordering on fanaticism, about this film) it seems that almost no so-called “christians” are viewing this film as a blatant violation of the purpose, spirit and letter of the 2^nd commandment.  Mel Gibson and his Jesuitical cadre concocted the “anti-Semitism” charge (when there was none) and other tempests in teapots, while obscuring the involvement of the Jesuit order in creating the screenplay for this movie.  The translation was also completed by a Jesuit priest named William J. Fulco.

The blatant and obvious non-biblical “inventions” in the film, and the fact that most of the visceral account is not derived from the Gospels, but from the “visions” of a couple of 17^th and 18^th century Catholic nuns, show beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is not just a lack of discernment on the part of the so-called “protestant christians”, but is, in fact, more evidence of their general apostasy and the antichristian nature of modern Protestantism.

Further evidence of the Jesuit influence on the film, is the well rehearsed and bizarre Diane Sawyer interview about the film with Mel Gibson on February 16^th.  In a previous interview, dated only 5 months earlier, Gibson stated that, “There is no salvation for those outside the Church” (The New Yorker, Sept. 15. 2003).  However, in the February 16^th interview, Gibson stated that there was salvation for just about everyone, and that being a Catholic only made it “easier” to get to heaven.  This type of obfuscation is perfectly Jesuitical.  The Jesuits have long used this tactic, claiming that those outside of the Church of Rome are heretics and will be damned, while being behind (financially and otherwise) every single ecumenical and universalist move on the planet.

In the same interview on February 16^th, Gibson claimed that life was “all about choice”, pushing the Catholic/Druidic/Arminian “Free-Will” line to the hilt, claiming that everyone has the ability within them to choose good or evil; while later in that interview he claimed that “God ordains everything…God made my bed this morning”.  This contradictory activity is a philosophy known as “middle-knowledge” and was created as an attack on the Doctrine of Grace preached by all of the Reformers by a Jesuit Priest named Luis de Molina in the early 16^th century.  “Middle-knowledge” states that both Free-Will and Predestination are totally true, and that although God ordains everything, every man also has a totally Free-Will to choose good or evil at any time.

The Jesuits swore in the 1500’s to destroy and wage perpetual war against Protestantism.  Now they present this movie to you for your enjoyment!

Line up, pay up, sit down, bow down, file out…Jesus in the secret chambers

So the Jesuits have struck again, and the new Religious Marketing arm of the False Prophet churches will make sure that millions of dollars are pumped into the coffers of the Antichrist system.  First they sold you “Left Behind” and “The Prayer of Jabez”, now they're hawking “A Purpose Driven Life” and “The Passion”.  The eagles are gathered together around the carcass of a false “christ” stuffing themselves on the foul flesh of a concocted image, pushing their meal on a public starved for any “god” but the Creator God of the Holy Bible; with their mouths full and dripping from the edges, the plead with you to join them.

But my Jesus Christ is in heaven, seated on the right hand of the Father.  He is with me in the person of the Holy Spirit, and He has revealed Himself to me by the Spirit through the Holy Bible.  “…as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”.  I will heed His warning, and refuse to accept, and refuse to go to see, any other “christ”.

The 2^nd commandment forbids true Christians from participating in this hideous monstrosity of a meal, but you can be sure that “The Passion of The Christ”, will be soul food for fat, stupid religionists the world over.  I can hear their stomachs rumble even now.

I am your servant in Christ Jesus,

Michael Bunker