The Passion of the Christ

It was terrible. It was beautiful. It was awful. It was powerful. I left the theater quietly. A sick feeling stayed in my stomach for a while afterwards. This is not just another movie.

"The Passion of the Christ" has been receiving positive and negative press for many months, so I wanted finally to see it for myself. Mel Gibson and his team created a striking drama of the final hours before Jesus' death. It opens in the Garden of Gethsemane and closes at Golgotha, with a brief, poignant scene at the end depicting the resurrection. Several flashbacks to events in Jesus' life punctuate the storyline.

All of the characters speak in Aramaic and Latin. Subtitles translate most of their words. This unique feature added cultural depth to the film, and I suppose it allows audiences around the world to experience the film in the same way. The colors of the scenery and costumes are muted, almost bleak. Jesus' red blood, which flows profusely, is the brightest element.

Some have accused the movie of anti-Semitism. I didn't see it. Pilate and Herod and the Roman soldiers killed Jesus, too, so the Jewish mob was not solely responsible (Acts 4:27-28). However, the New Testament clearly teaches that Jews killed Jesus (John 19:11, Acts 2:23, 1 Thess. 2:14-15). The high priest told Peter that Peter intended "to bring this man's blood upon us" (Acts 5:28). Peter explains to him that "you killed and hanged on a tree" Jesus (Acts 5:30). So, we should not deny the historical truth that Jews killed Jesus.

However, this historical truth does not authorize animosity toward Jews of the first century or any time since. Jesus asked God's forgiveness toward those who killed him, and we can do no less. We must go even father, too, and admit that we killed Jesus, too (Isa. 53:5). Those who fall away "recrucify" the Son of God (Heb. 6:6). Mel Gibson realizes this. His hand appears in the film -- holding the nail driven into Jesus' wrist.

For his own good reasons, God did not pass down to us visual illustrations of the Bible. Are visual illustrations therefore inappropriate? This is an important question, and one with which I struggle. As a friend pointed out, we do not understand scourging and crucifixion the way first century believers would have. I have not seen someone mangled and brutalized in real life. I am glad. The brutal violence of the scourging and crucifixion in "The Passion of the Christ" is gut-wrenching. It is disturbing. When we reflect on what Jesus went through for us, we should be disturbed. Is film the best way to appreciate it? Is this coincidence: A middle-aged woman in Wichita, KS, apparently had a heart attack during the crucifixion scene and later died.

Should we dwell on the physical violence that Jesus suffered? We should recognize it. We should appreciate it. We should be changed by it. I hope that God will use this film to open the eyes of unbelievers. Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32). Perhaps this graphic reminder of that event will contribute to its fulfillment. However, this film has numerous Biblical inaccuracies and additions, which may have a harmful influence. Some important details and dialogue from the gospels are left out, and it draws heavily on the purported visions of Catholic nun Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) regarding the life of Christ.

"The Passion of the Christ" grossed some $117.5 million in its first five days, one of the best openings for any movie ever. Its gross on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, dwarfed that of any competing film, and it beat the other top 11 movies combined. I had been disappointed before I saw the film when I went to the film website. In bios of the cast and crew, it detailed some of the less worthwhile projects they had been involved with. Perhaps this movie has changed their perspective.

I admire Mel Gibson's ambition and appreciate his attempt, but I have reservations about recommeinding this film. Because of its intense violence and unbiblical elements, I do not intend to show it to my family or to unbelieving friends. If you are a discerning, mature believer, you might benefit from seeing it. It is a challenging experience.