5B
RELIGION/QClie Ciiatlotte $iit
Thursday, December 4, 2003
Graham defends Gibson movie
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Rev. Billy Graham gave an enthusiastic
thumbs-up to Mel Gibson’s biblical epic, “The
Passion of Christ,” after a private screening
with the movie star.
The film, which describes the hours before
Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, has generated com
plaints from some Jewish leaders, who say it
suggests Jews were responsible for Christ’s
death. Conservative Catholics who have seen
the film have called it powerful.
“The fihn is faithful to the Bible’s teaching
that we are all responsible for Jesus’ death,
because we all have sirmed,” the 85-year-old
evangelist said. “It is our sins that caused his
death, not any particular group.”
In a statement released Tuesday by the
BiUy Graham EvangeUstic Association, the
Southern Baptist also said he "was moved to
tears” by the film.
Gibson spent a reported $30 million to pro
duce the movie. Set for release Feb. 25, the
movie’s dialogue is in Latin, Hebrew and Ara
maic with English subtitles.
"I doubt if there has been a more graphic
and moving presentation of Jesus’ death and
resurrection, which Christians beUeve are the
most important events in human history,”
Graham said.
Graham attended a screening a month ago
- one of several Gibson has hosted for reli
gious leaders. After one in August, Abraham
Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League com
plained “the film unambiguously portrays
Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the
ones responsible for the decision to crucify
Jesus.”
Paul Lauer, the film’s marketing director in
Santa Monica, California, called Graham’s
endorsement “very important.” Lauer said the
film is faithful to the Gospel text.
“Therefore,” he said, “we don’t believe the
film is anti-Semitic.”
Graham apologized last year for disparag
ing remarkshe made about Jews 30 years ago
in an Oval Office conversation with President
Nixon. The comments were released on audio
tapes made by Nixon.
Exhibit explores art, religion
Continued from page 8B
“For the African American
community there are two
special surprises at the show
that are well worth the
visit,” said Mints. Faith is so
important to us. And the reli
gious images are very mov
ing and powerful to everyone
who sees them.
The event wiU conclude on
a musical note. Music histo
rian Dawn Anthony will
explore the connection of
faith in art and music for her
African American roots to
the diversity in song and cel
ebration in todays worship
circles.
The program is open to the
public following museum
admission. Visitors can
Ciiatlotte $oot
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Anniml
Christmas
Mnaud
Saturday, December 13, 2003
6pm
Oasis Shriners
604 Daniel Burnham Way, Charlotte, NC 28213
University Area/W.T. Harris Blvd.
For Information Call,
704-375-9650
Website: stlukembc.org
Pastor,
Rev. Clijford Matthews,Jr.
yi/lccA.qMA^ lives in her own place
with her own stuff.
Uhzcie. helps to make it possible.
“Margaret is 85 and sharp as a tack. But her health makes it
tough to get around. Tracie wants to help out in her
community, but she has a busy job. Faith in Action brought
them together. It’s people of different faiths who volunteer
to shop, cook, drive, or just check in on some of the
millions of Americans with long-term health needs.
if you’re like me and have wondered'how you can
make a difference, volunteer with Faith in
Actipn. Find out more at (877) 324-841 I
or www.faithinaction.org. A neighbor’s
independence depends on you and me.”
— Della Reese. Entertainment Legend.
Faith in Action Believer,
attend this special program
for free by showing a Sunday
church bulletin.
The show is on view until
Jan. 11.
ADVERTISEMENT
THE PROPHET’S COLUMN INC.
9626 FELDBANK DRIVE
CHARLOTTE, NC, 28216-2131
“THE DIVINE REVELATION OF CHRIST' - PART SIX
J. M. LITTLE - TEACHER
I don’t care how many truths a teacher or preacher may know, if He does not
know Christ as a living reality he cannot tell a sinner how God saves a sinner.
He’ll always boil it down to the sinner’s choice.'That is letting the sinner decide
for Jesus. How tragically sad. My friends, I’ve lived the religious church life and it
is empty. You have a name to live while you are dead. But the born again
believer has a different story to tell. I’m talking about the risen Christ, the One
who raised me from the dead. All the while I was on that religious profession I
was dead and didn’t know it. There was a great gulf between me and a thrice
Holy God but I didn’t know it. Do you realize there is a great gulf between you and
a thrice Holy God? When I was under conviction I said to a godly woman from
Hattiesburg, Mississippi; “it seems like the gulf grows wider,” and she said to
me; “it’s been there all the while you just didn't know it." Our religious leaders
have never known experimentally that a great gulf exists between a thrice Holy
God and a lost sinner. But when you come to press a dying pillow you’ll know it
but too late then. You’ve made fun of me and others for pointing out the truth of
how God saves a hell-deserving sinner but you won’t make fun when you wake
up in hell. I well remember calling my late pastor, L. R. Shelton, over long
distance phone and telling him; “I wish I could believe like a little child.” His
response was, “You have a hard heart of unbelief.” Now the average preacher
or teacher would have told me; “Brother Little, just accept Jesus as your
Saviour." And that is because you are ignorant of God’s way of saving a poor,
hell-deserving sinner. The blessed Holy Spirit convicts every sinner whom He
deals with for salvation of his hard heart of unbelief. If He has not done that work
in your heart you are not saved! Our church members have only an ignorant
notion of salvation. When a man of the world dies, it is just one more face in hell.
When a church member dies, it is a leap into the dark.
Fyvp A \3Holiday
of Savings
LOW PRICES
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DEC. 3rd
THRU m, 2003
We reserve the right to limit quantities and correct typographical and photographic errors.
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