I teach a class called Christian Worldview Studies and my students joke that I ruin media for them by telling them, “It’s never just a movie.” In this case it certainly is not just a movie. The story it portrays is truly part of the greatest story ever told. How we handle this movie and our talk and actions about it can very well be defining of our evangelistic commission. In the wake of 9/11 the Christian community had many opportunities to bring the reality of a loving God into the hearts and minds of those who didn’t know Him. According to research that followed that period, we missed our opportunity, tending to talk to each other about God rather than to those that needed to hear it. I would hate for us to get so wrapped up in the “hype” that we forget that the film is a vehicle that can and should lead to transformation. However, I think we need to be very careful to realize that this, in some very real ways, is a movie and not a replacement for the Gospel itself. Let’s review a bit of my email from Christians and non-Christian alike. It seems to organize itself into three charges.

The Anti-Semitic Charge
From Andy Rooney’s absolutely ridiculous attempt at tongue-in cheek humor on 60 Minutes to the accusations by the Anti-Defamation League, the rhetoric around this film has involved charges that it is anti-Semitic. Our response in the Christian community has basically been to dismiss the charge as unfounded, rooted in a lack of full understanding of Jewish history. The comment is made, “Well of course the Jews killed Jesus,” and we leave it at that. Hear me clearly: This does not acknowledge how Jewish people are feeling and how this comment fits into their history with Christians. Fresh in their minds are the “Christian” rationales that allowed Hitler’s Reich to brutally and unjustly kill millions. You’d be squeamish too. But we can’t leave the issue there.

Theologians and historians report that the actual Roman guards that would have inflicted the cruelty were probably conscripts from other geographic areas. The most violent acts against Jesus Christ, namely the whipping of the prisoner and the actual crucifixion were carried out by Gentiles. And the Greek text talks of the whole “cohort” being involved and that would mean soldiers numbering in the hundreds. The Jews, Jesus’ own people, may well have passed the sentence, but the entire world was involved in the Savior’s death when these Gentiles mocked and killed Christ. Very simply, but profoundly, sinful man nailed Jesus to the cross — both Jew and Gentile.

The Biblically Inaccurate and “Violence-Over-the-Top” Charge
In the emails I have received, this issue seems to center on the fact that The Passion only covers the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life, thus taking the Gospel message out of context. Alright, the fact is, anytime we quote or take a “snap-shot” of history in any way, shape or form, we violate its true context. But what conclusion should we draw from this? One look at artistic representations of the Passion period of Christ’s life sees it as the realization of all His teachings. In early theatre, the Mystery Cycle of plays was presented in stories of the creation and fall, the birth and death of Christ, and the fulfillment of the “revelation.” Many of you are aware that, in the film, while the focus may be on Christ’s scourging and death, there are ample glimpses into His ministry as we follow flashbacks onto a hillside with the children, washing the disciple’s feet, etc. Of course, the film does not capture the full significance of His crucifixion, but this only leaves us with the responsibility we bring to all evangelistic encounters: pointing to the Bible and filling in the rest of the story.

In addition, some charge Gibson with taking too much artistic license when he “glorifies the gore” of the scourging and crucifixion. The comments usually include the fact that the synoptic Gospel accounts use one sentence to report that Jesus was whipped and then led out to be crucified (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:23). Let us not forget that Jesus was the Messiah and, as such, he was the fulfillment of prophecy. Read Isaiah 52:14 as the prophet describes the scene: “Just as there were many who were appalled at him — His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness … .” Mel Gibson reads this verse and sees in his mind the picture depicted on the screen. We may not see the same thing but it doesn’t change the fact that even in our discomfort with the violence, His punishment was brutal and gruesome. Crucifixion was one of the most painful and excruciating ways to die under Roman law, and it should make us uncomfortable. When I hear charges that the violence in this movie is gratuitous, I cringe to think how much we might undervalue the pain our Lord went through that day.

The Christian Penance Charge
Very simply put, this argument levels the charge that Christians are looking for some sort of common experience by which to express their penance and identify with Christ at some deeper level. While a movie is not a pre-requisite for that to happen and the film should not replace the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, a stark reminder of his sacrifice may well be way overdue.

Perhaps it is time to leave the icons of pretty silver cross necklaces and the “pastel” representations of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and be awakened to the stark, brutal, and overwhelming fact of His punishment and pain. It was inflicted by folks just like you and me. Part of penance is opening our eyes to the fact that in our sinful and fallen state we owe an infinite price that we can never pay. An infinite God came to earth, taught us, loved us, and then paid the infinite price with an infinite payment. Let us not belittle that payment with this kind of charge.

Your Passion Experience
Don’t miss the real story here. Look through the hype. Look through the criticisms. Look through the nit picking. For our Lord’s sake don’t miss the power of the bigger story at work. Too often our film experience includes walking into the theatre, lights going down, eyes going up, feet sticking to the floor and minds turning off. We thoughtlessly allow images and themes to permeate our souls with little reflection. Don’t do that with “The Passion of the Christ.” The stakes are too high!

The emails I mentioned earlier were all written with a great deal of passion, to the point of tears — the authors’ as they wrote and mine as I read them. I see in the simple words on my computer screen the cries of the deepest parts of their souls. They give us everything they are in those entries. Isn’t that what Jesus did during his entire life, and isn’t that especially visible in those last twelve hours?

Do me a favor, will you? Consider all you’ve heard about the movie. Pray about how God can use the film to reach people around you. Go see the movie. Be moved. Be disgusted. Be critical. Be thoughtful. Most importantly, be engaged in the culture-wide discussion that will follow. Over a cup of coffee with friends be willing to unpack the imagery of the film as you unpack the full message of the Gospel. It’s right there in the pages of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Below is a discussion guide that I hope you will use to more fully engage in the film, the issues surrounding the film and truth of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Probably most troubling is the final question on the guide: “Where would you have stood if you had been there?”

Who’s to blame?

1. What movies have you seen where an injustice has been done and blame has been assigned? How about movies about Jesus — have you seen any, and if so, what impact did they have on you?
2. What impact did this movie have on you? Did it inspire you? Did it shock you?
3. What was the most memorable moment in the film? What did you like best? Least?
4. What questions did it raise in you about the life and death of Jesus?
5. Who do you think killed Jesus? What difference does it make?
6. How about the role of God here? (See John 19:9-11; Philippians 2:6-8; Romans 5:8; and 1 Peter 2:24.)

For further reflection: Billy Graham, after seeing the Passion of the Christ, said, “The film is faithful to the Bible’s teaching that we are all responsible for Jesus’ death, because we have all sinned. It is our sins that caused His death, not any particular group.” Are we responsible for this happening?

What did Jesus do wrong?
In a court of law we want to see justice done. In our favorite legal dramas on TV we hope the punishment fits the crime. But in this film we see the story of what some consider absolute injustice. I remember playing the part of a Christ-following priest in a church musical not long ago. As they took Jesus away to be crucified, I was adlibbing my lines and I found myself crying out to no one in particular, “But what has He done? He’s hurt no one! He doesn’t deserve this! He’s done nothing wrong!” What crime did Jesus commit to deserve this?

1. How does the film portray the system of justice? What crime do others say He committed?
2. Read Luke 23:1-2. What are the charges against Him?
3. When Pilate found no foundation for the charges, why did he go ahead with the punishment?
4. Have you ever been in an unjust situation and wrongly accused of something? How did you feel? What must have been going through Jesus’ mind in the midst of this? (See Mark 14:53-65.)

For Further Reflection: Put yourself in the sandals of the disciples and His close followers. Picture yourself in those scenes where they watched this unfold. What would be your honest reactions to all of this? Did you connect to any of those characters as they communicated those feelings on the screen? Does a scene stick in your mind?

How accurate is this?
A recent article put it this way: “Gibson set out to make the most authentic film about Christ ever made. He feels that the story of Jesus' death and resurrection has never been filmed accurately according to the four Gospels, the historical setting of first-century Palestine, and the physical brutality of the crucifixion. ‘I don't think it's ever been told as it should be,’ [Gibson said].”

1. If someone were to doubt that “this is how it really happened,” what would you say? How do you know? What is your source?
2. Did the violence and gore shock you? Had you ever thought about your own vision of what it was like?
3. Does the cruelty of those involved in the crucifixion surprise you? Did any member of the team that beat Christ and performed the crucifixion stand out?
4. How does this compare with other portrayals of Jesus you’ve seen? Why do you think there is a difference between what we’ve produced before and this film?
5. Did Mel Gibson meet his goal of “authenticity”?

For Further Reflection: “‘The Passion’ is simply fabulous. It is emotionally wrenching because it is brutally honest about the violence of Jesus' death. Never in my life have I seen any movie that comes even close to depicting what Roman crucifixion was really like. Long familiarity and theological explanation have leached out in our minds the awful brutality of Jesus' trial and death. John's simple words, ‘then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him’ feel vastly different as you watch two brutal Roman soldiers go on minute after terrible minute bludgeoning Jesus’ near-naked body with flesh-gouging whips. Pious talk about Jesus' death for our sins takes on a whole new meaning” (Ron Sider, President, Evangelicals For Social Action, from an email to Icon).

Why did Jesus suffer and die like this?
Anyone who lives in our contemporary media culture knows that we are saturated with violent and sexual images. Our own experiences as well as years of research say that we are “deadened” to the pain, graphic violence, and nudity to which we are exposed. Christ’s death and resurrection seem to be a story that penetrates even that anesthesia.

1. Compare the details of Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23 and John 18-19. What do the stories, the details, and Christ’s own words tell us about the reasons for this path of suffering?
2. How does that suffering speak to us in our own lives right now?

For Further Reflection: Read Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12. How else could this prophecy come true? There was a movement in the early 20th century that said, “We can’t trust a God who stays safely in heaven while all this suffering goes on here on earth.” Do you think that this type of depiction of Christ’s death can help argue this position about the incarnation?

Why should this matter to me?
Theologian Alister McGrath writes this sentiment, “Socrates may have taught us how to die with dignity, but after Jesus Christ, human beings are able to suffer and die in real hope. Try to make that hope a visible part of your life, and explain it to your friends (1 Peter 3:15). For as long as human beings must die, the gospel has vital and relevant things to say! Make sure it gets a hearing in your circle of friends” (I Believe, 1997).

1. Have you ever come across a picture of a long-forgotten memory? You stare at it for a while; your mind takes you back to the fond memories of that time; you smile and remember; if the memory is strong enough, perhaps you pick up the phone to call that old friend. What were those feelings like?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-28. Does this reminder of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection “wake up” a memory for you?
3. Now that you have experienced this film and been reminded of His power in your life, what do you feel compelled to do with it? Make a list, bring in prayer before God and take action (today if necessary).

For Further Reflection: Keep up with the discussion and news stories about this film. How can you bring truth to the confusion that may result? What do Jesus’ own words in John 18:37 mean to you now as they relate to the Truth?

One final question …

1. If you had lived during that time, where would you have stood on all this? (Be honest now … .)

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