7 Pounds and The Sacrifice of Christ

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

I'm trying to understand the difference you are making between martyrdom and suicide. Jesus could have answered the high priest differently and explained the profecies concerning the firstcoming of the messiah instead he provoked him by claiming he was God manifest in the flesh. He provoked him with the truth but he could have explained the prophecies and prevented his death. I see it as suicide, much like I think the movie has a noble and redemptive ending. What I'm trying to say is that I view a noble suicide much differently now that I've seen the movie.

Maybe I just find it off-putting to call a martyrdom a suicide, noble or otherwise. Purely semantics, I'm sure.

In the movie, I would call that a noble suicide, because he orchestrated his own death; it was his own doing. A martyrdom can be willing as well, for equally noble or nobler reasons, but is by another's hand.

If this is the case, as you're stating it, then every apostle that was martyred for the faith really committed suicide, as did every saint following. (who were killed for their faith)

[OnTheFritz]

Timmy is not pulling any punches today......

I think those are questions we all have or have had. And at some point, you just have to decide to believe or not. You have to have faith or not. Frankly, I can think of a number of reasons not to believe (some of which you mentioned). But I choose to believe (sometimes it is more of a choice than an urging), and, by doing so, I have to assume that there is an explanation somewhere beyond my scope of knowledge. I think the Shack did a pretty good job, but there are certain things you can't just talk around. There's plenty I don't understand...

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by OnTheFritz

Timmy is not pulling any punches today......

I think those are questions we all have or have had. And at some point, you just have to decide to believe or not. You have to have faith or not. Frankly, I can think of a number of reasons not to believe (some of which you mentioned). But I choose to believe (sometimes it is more of a choice than an urging), and, by doing so, I have to assume that there is an explanation somewhere beyond my scope of knowledge. I think the Shack did a pretty good job, but there are certain things you can't just talk around. There's plenty I don't understand...

You're right, of course, and ultimately faith is a choice. If we could see and understand everything, it wouldn't even be faith.

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

You're right, of course, and ultimately faith is a choice. If we could see and understand everything, it wouldn't even be faith.

Yeah - and I know that is probably a bit obvious, but I heard a preacher say once that faith is an action not a state of mind. I thought that was a great way to view it, but sometimes it can seem like an uphill battle when you start thinking about some of the atrocities in the world.

I personally have been so blessed, that I couldn't imagine believing another way. But when I put myself in other people's shoes, it becomes difficult to understand.

[RandyWayne]

It seems that Jesus the man, begged his Father to spare Him from what He knew was coming. He (the man) did NOT want to die -especially in the manor that it was going to happen. So no, I would not equate it with "suicide".

[Jason B]

I haven't seen the movie, and won't. I'm not easily offended, as you can read anything on this board, almost nothing shocks me or suprises me.

But the idea that Christ "committed suicide" is ridiculous, blaphemous, and offensive.

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by Jason

I haven't seen the movie, and won't. I'm not easily offended, as you can read anything on this board, almost nothing shocks me or suprises me.

But the idea that Christ "committed suicide" is ridiculous, blaphemous, and offensive.

Ummm.... In what movie does this happen? I think you may need to re-read the thread. . As far as I know, Will Smith doesn't play Jesus in this movie.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

It seems that Jesus the man, begged his Father to spare Him from what He knew was coming. He (the man) did NOT want to die -especially in the manor that it was going to happen. So no, I would not equate it with "suicide".

Good point. I agree.

Originally Posted by Jason

I haven't seen the movie, and won't. I'm not easily offended, as you can read anything on this board, almost nothing shocks me or suprises me.

But the idea that Christ "committed suicide" is ridiculous, blaphemous, and offensive.

The movie in question isn't about Jesus.

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by Jason

But the idea that Christ "committed suicide" is ridiculous, blaphemous, and offensive.

Boo Hoo! Christ laid down his life voluntarily. He didn't resist. He didn't leave Jerusalem. He went to Jerusalem voluntarily. That is very close to suicide, the only difference is that it wasn't by his own hand.