See Jesus in Orlando!

6 Responses to “See Jesus in Orlando!”

1. JBDay on May 27th, 2008 9:18 am

   And we wonder why Christ and Christianity is deemed irrelevant in the world today!

2. Paul on May 27th, 2008 10:31 am

   At first the though of a Jesus themepark does made me cringe. I wondered if Jesus was up in heaven just begging the Father to let him come down and turn over the money tables. But…

   My wife and I went to the Holy Land Experience shortly after it openned and its not as bad as it sounds because to us it really seemed to be more about educating people about Biblical events and Jewish culture during Jesus day than about entertaining and making a buck. There’s a lot of stuff about Holy Land itself like a minature replica of Jerusalem, the temple, and so forth that helps give some perspective into Jewish culture and what things were like in Jesus days.

   I would agree with the video report though that you experience a strange combination emotions when you watch some the dramas.

   That’s was my experience 7 years ago, but things may have changed since then.

3. Bruce on May 27th, 2008 7:18 pm

   I must admit that I normally just read most blogs and don’t comment much on them. But this, for some reason, really got me sparked. Isn’t it bad enough to have a carnival like TBN that espouses bad theology let alone making a theme park out of it? Harsh? Maybe. True? Maybe. But where will profiting off the gospel stop?

   In my opinion and admittedly not having visited this so-called theme park, it just seems to take it too far. I’m all about being relevant and all but come on.

   Now, on the other hand what has Gibson’s “Passion” done? It’s made the crucifiction of Christ through the visual arts real to a lot of us . But, there’s just something not right about a theme park selling ice cream and statues of Jesus. It just reminds me of what a characterized version of Christianity South Park might have would look like. I just can’t get my head wrapped around it. It takes me swiftly to the release of Joel Osteen’s board game based on his book and listed on Amazon.

4. James Dalman on May 28th, 2008 6:54 am

   @JBDay - thanks for commenting and things like this may not be in the best interest of Christianity.

   @ Paul - Thanks for your insight. I can see the point of the educational side of the theme park…but seeing a video clip where people are hanging out,drinking a snowcone, and watching the story of Jesus is being played out just doesn’t sit right with me.

   @ Bruce - Thanks for your input…especially since you don’t normally comment! I agree with you on your view of TBN and bad theology - then throwing it into something like this. I also can’t believe how “selling Christianity” has become such a big business.

   I think it is time for some “Christians” to really check their heart and motives as some of these offerings may not be helping build the Kingdom.

5. Paul on May 28th, 2008 2:42 pm

   @ James - I can understand that. Like I said that is a bit awkward, but I would ask in response, is that how you felt about people watching The Passion of the Christ in movie theaters? That had a huge impact on many people.

6. James Dalman on May 29th, 2008 6:49 am

   Paul,

   That’s a good question and don’t know that I have a satisfactory answer.

   I think the REAL difference for me personally is the person(s) behind each production. TBN is a theological train wreck or carnival and anything they do appears to be solely for the almighty dollar. Gibson (through the news) seems to be genuine in his making of Passion and the true purpose behind it.

   This is probably not a valid or logical reason at all…just my perspective. :)

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