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Movie Review: The Passion of the Christ (Part Two)
- 02/26/04
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This is the second part of my review of The Passion of the Christ. The first part can be found here and is a scene-by-scene description of the film. In this part I am going to analyze the movie under several headings. I do not pretend to be an authority on movies so I will analyze the content of the movie - its quality as a representation of the Bible and not its quality as a movie.
Analysis
Is this the greatest opportunity for evangelism in the past 2000 years?
This movie has been characterized as the greatest opportunity for evangelism since Christ’s death but I believe that is an unfair statement. What other opportunities have there been in the past 2000 years that could even be categorized with this? Has there ever been something like this movie that has been able to reach the whole world in a matter of days? The only similar thing I can think of is the Jesus film and it is said to have converted 176 million people or some enormous number like that. If that is the case this movie has a long way to go.
The greatest opportunity for evangelism always has been and always will be the faithful preaching of the Bible. Make no mistake: there can be no more powerful method of evangelism that this.
Mariolatry
Naturally when I heard that this movie was being made by a devout Catholic I became concerned with his portrayal of Mary. It seems my fears were well-founded. In the Biblical accounts Mary appears only in the book of John where Jesus tells John that Mary is now to be his mother and tells Mary that John is now to be her son. In this movie she is present in almost every scene and her role is elevated far above what the Bible teaches. She is presented as being Jesus’ support and strength during His trials. Many times Jesus falls and is unable to get up, but after looking at His mother He finds the strength to carry on. The disciples all call Mary “mother.” Mary is shown submitting her will to God’s, saying “so be it” as if her consent was necessary. The movie shows Mary as the suffering servant, suffering along with Jesus. This, of course, stems from Gibson’s Catholic theology and is foreign to the Bible.
Emphasis on Jesus’ Suffering
The movie chronicles Jesus’ physical suffering. He is beaten time and time again and each beating is shown with graphic brutality. After two hours of suffering we see only ten or twelve seconds of Jesus’ triumphing over death. There is really no attempt made to humanize Jesus or to display His divinity and power. There is no attempt made to explain that His physical suffering was nothing when compared to the suffering He experienced by being forsaken by God as the full wrath of God for sin was poured out upon Him. One would assume from the movie that the pain He felt was one and the same as His forsakenness.
I was troubled to hear that Gibson has patented a line of pendants featuring a spike and this has become a big seller in the Christian world. Traditionally Protestants have displayed an empty cross as a sign of triumph where Roman Catholics have displayed a crucifix as a sign of Jesus’ suffering. The spike people are beginning to wear harkens to His suffering, ignoring Jesus’ all-important triumph.
Would this movie look the same if it was made by a Protestant?
The answer to this question is unequivocally “no!” The movie espouses Catholic theology, Mariology and interpretation. It is clear this movie has a strong Catholic bias. The Catholic bias is simply too strong to deny or downplay.
Context
This movie is almost completely free from context. Any serious student of the Bible knows that context is king and studying the Bible outside of its context is dangerous and leads to erroneous beliefs. Though flashbacks provide snippets of context, on the whole this movie shows only the events of the suffering of Jesus. Without context these events can make no sense to people who are not familiar with Jesus’ history. There is no explanation as to why He has to suffer or even what His suffering and death accomplishes.
Poor Characters
Many of the characters were poorly developed. The Roman soldiers were unanimously portrayed as bloodthirsty, consciousless barbarians consumed with bloodlust. They were barely human. The Jews were almost all portrayed as being vicious, argumentative and cruel, caring little for the truth and rejoicing in Jesus’ pain. The characters were so underdeveloped that they reminded me of the Japanese soldiers that used to appear in Bugs Bunny cartoons - ridiculous, dehumanized caricatures that made little sense and were far from accurate.
Idolatry?
I found it very troublesome that people identify Jim the actor with Jesus. My mind and emotions never made the transition to actually believing that Jim was Jesus. At one time I began to feel emotion as Jesus, nailed to the cross, cried out for God to forgive His murderers. Interestingly, my mind immediately intervened and kept me from seeing Jim as Jesus. I simply could not and ultimately did not want to see the real Jesus in this movie. I could not identify with this human playing my Lord and my Savior. My mind told me that making such a leap would be to succumb to idolatry.
The Script
On a macro level this movie succeeds in presenting the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial and death. It covers all the major points from the Garden of Gethsemane to Jesus’ death. On a micro level it is a terrible failure. Errors on this level abound and erroneous theology and interpretation is evident in almost every scene. On the macro level it is the gospel, for it simply follows the Biblical outline. On the micro level it is not the Bible and thus not Christianity. The micro level is mysticism, tradition and poor interpretation.
Gibson drew heavily from Sister Anne Emmerich’s devotional book entitled The Dolorous Passion of Christ. Emmerich is known as being a Mystic, Stigmatist, Visionary, and Prophet. She apparently received many visions in which God provided her details about Jesus’ last days that are not contained in the Bible. This extra-Biblical account of Jesus’ suffering provided many of the smaller details in the movie such as Pilate’s wife providing the cloth to Mary as well as Simon and Jesus linking arms as they held the cross. It also provided inspiration for some of the words Peter spoke, such as his expression of unworthiness before Mary. Most troubling is that it provided many of the words Jesus spoke. A great number of Jesus’ words from the movie are drawn not from the Bible but from Emmerich. The movie makes no attempt to show what was drawn directly from the Bible and what was drawn from extra-Biblical writing. I am reminded of Revelation 22:18 which reads “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” To add to the Words of the Bible is a grave sin.
Reading through The Dolorous Passion of Christ after seeing the movie I was shocked by how closely the script of The Passion of the Christ follows this book. So much of what I assumed was artistic license was actually drawn from supposed extra-Biblical revelation.
Conclusions
I found this movie to be very disappointing and disheartening. Though I had read many reviews for and against it, I was convinced when I began to watch that I would be pleasantly surprised. I believed this especially based on the multitudes of Protestant leaders who provided their support for the movie. The list of these men (on one of the Passion Web sites) reads like a who’s who of Christian leaders and they described the movie as being “factually accurate,” “very accurate [in the details],” “realistic,” “biblical,” “an accurate account,” “a true representation of Jesus” and “close to the Scriptures.” Alas, it was not to be. Error is abundant to such a degree that I was shocked that so many Protestant pastors and theologians could give it their full, unequivocal approval. How little they must think of Protestant theology to ignore the pervasive Roman Catholic influence in this movie. My greatest disappointment was not in the movie but in the Protestant leaders and theologians who gave it their recommendation. Gibson made a movie that expresses his faith, but his faith is not the Protestant faith. It seems that so many people in the Protestant world simply do not know enough to discern the difference or they just do not care.
It sickens me to hear people expressing that this movie brings the gospels to life and expresses the story of Jesus’ suffering in a new and relevant way. I only wish that people would be so enthusiastic about the Bible! God has ordained that the primary means of reaching the world would be through the faithful preaching of His Word. That is not to say that He cannot and will not use other means, but we must guard ourselves against believing that other methods can surpass the Bible. This movie, full of flaws and error, has made me realize even more why God has given us His living, breathing Word as the primary means of reaching the world. Oh how I wish the church would turn to the Bible as they have turned to this movie! How I wish we would feel the same level of excitement for God’s words to us given in the Scripture. How I wish we would have faith to believe that God can do so much more through the Bible than can ever be done through a movie.
I will leave you with this thought: As my wife left the theatre last night she heard a member of a Protestant church say “I didn’t remember the part in the Bible where Mary wipes up Jesus’ blood. That was so beautiful.” This movie blurs Catholicism and Protestantism, Bible and Tradition, Scripture and mysticism. This movie is firmly opposed to Biblical Protestantism.
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Comments (176)
i think this movie was done very close to what jesus went through. we gave him this. through our sinful nature we did this to him. i liked mary in this movie. she seemed to be willing and loving towards what her son had to do. it really has changed the way i look at jesus and how i read his words in the bible. this movie should be discussed and shown to all the world to get and appreciation for christ.
I, too, am dismayed that more Protestant ministers aren’t raising a red flag over the pervasive Catholic bias of the movie. I am deeply troubled by the representation of Mary. In three of the four gospel accounts she is not even mentioned as being at the cross. And her reference in John is a bad translation. The woman in Revelation 12 is Israel, who gives birth to Messiah. When Yeshua (Jesus) tells John, “Behold your mother,” he is looking over Jerusalem and referring to Israel, not Mary. I’m afraid many professing Christians do not know their Bibles and set themselves up to be deceived by false doctrines and teachers. Hosea 4:6 says My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because they have rejected knowledge, I will also reject them. Tim, thanks for braving Gibson’s movie to give us a fair and honest analysis.
Here’s another interesting review.
My dear brother, Thank you.
Tim - Great job! I saw the movie Wednesday and had much the same problems that you did. It simply does not show enough context for those who are unfamiliar with the bible to understand the cross and for this reason I don’t believe it will be a good evangelical tool. Furthermore, I also felt that it had too much Mary. Mary seemed to be the character which carried all the “emotional” dialoge, while the character of Jesus was shown mostly as suffering punishment. While the movie showed Jesus’ humanity very well, it failed to take the opportunity to also show His diety. The flashbacks could have been used to greater effect to show His diety and to add the context which the rest of the movie neglects.
I appreciate everyone’s perspective of The Passion. Here’s mine.I did not look at or need Mel Gibson perfection, context perfection, character perfection, that is for theologians. I saw the passion of God expressed through the passion of Jesus for a lost, bound, and dying humanity.I saw the intensity of sin in the religious, the governements, even in satan himself. I experienced the suffering, agony, price of sin being paid by the son of man. I saw myself identified in every group. It was about me and Him. A lifechanging experience. I’m going to take more friends to experience it. Powerful ministry of eveangelism and discipleship if we see it as that and use it for that. I’ll use trailers and clips for a series about His Passion leading up to April 11 Resurrection Day.Another divine opportunity. I love opportunities!Pastor Larry
Tim,
I havn’t seen the movie yet but I am sure that if I do go, I will come out feeling the same as you. I’ve been reading reviews on the Atlanta Journal Constitutions homepage and most people are seeing ‘The Passion’ as basically the greatest movie ever made and Mel Gibson as a hero. Do people care anymore who is making movies, writing books, etc about Christ,etc? Catholic or whatever the person may be, the church these days is such easy bate for false teaching it’s embarressing, not to mention disheartening. It is so difficult living in a world where no one seems to value discernment anymore…I am glad that I can turn to your homepage, bro, and get great spiritual wisdom!
Thanks for the awesome review(both parts) Tim, it was very informative.
We are saved not by HOW he suffered by WHY he suffered! It appears that the movie forgot to mention this.
I haven’t seen the movie yet and am commenting on only one scene as described by Tim; the temple cracking after Jesus’ death. In Matthew 27:51, God tells us that just after Jesus “gave up His spirit”, the “curtain in the Temple was torn in two, top to bottom” (NLT). The relevant note in my Life Application Bible states that the Temple had three main parts: the courts, the Holy Place where only the priest entered and the Most Holy Place where only the “High Priest” entered once each year to atone for the sins of the nation. The priests acted as mediators between the people and God. The curtain in Jesus’ time was therefore used as a literal and symbolic point of separation between the people and God. God intended through Jesus’ death, to tear away the curtain so that He could be in relationship directly with His people, through Jesus. God was tired of the priests and their pretense of disingenuous holiness that they lauded over the people. That the curtain and all that it symbolized (priest, Pharisees, religion per se) was torn upon Jesus’ death, is our reassurance that at any time, any one of us can meet with God whenever and wherever without need of a mediator. This is the very point of Jesus’ death and explains part of the “why” of Jesus’ death. A Temple cracking tells us nothing and is incorrect, in any event.
It is therefore extremely significant, in my view, that Gibson chose to show the Temple cracking as opposed to the curtain. His doing so was unbiblical for starters and further, makes a mockery of the very point of Jesus’ death. But it was in keeping with corporate Catholicism. Gibson is clearly a political animal. More evidence, in my view, that the movie is really a treatise on Catholicism and its man-made rituals and interpretations and less an accurate rendition of the Biblical accounts it proports to portray.
From that perspective, I will be disappointed when I see the movie. More importantly, the movie has done nothing to advance our thinking and understanding from where it was in Jesus’ day who by the way, spent His days railing against, man-made, pious religiosity and rules that governed outward behaviour but failed to address the heart. For this reason, the movie cannot in good conscience be hailed as “God-inspired”.
And now that I have your attention, I will add this. Through Jesus’ death, anyone who believes on Him and on His deity and who humbly seeks God’s forgiveness surrendering totally to His will, will be forgiven of their sins and have unfettered access to our dear Heavenly Father.
My best advice is this. Immediately forget about Mel and go directly to your nearest Bible and start reading and praying and communing with your Heavenly Father who created you. He is waiting to love on you, heal you of yours sins if you confess them sincerely and enter into a loving relationship with you, guiding you and your entire life for eternity. Thanks Mel, but we don’t need your movie. We’ll go directly to the source…Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.
Tim-
Thanks for the website availability to post all these comments…and thanks to everyone else who has written, very interesting and well-thought out opinions. I am heartened that some people at least, seem to be seeing through the crazy misinterpretation of Scripture to the real lack of biblical truth presented in “THe Passion”. My greatest beef, already mentioned this, but here it is again, is the movie’s ending without the triumph of Christ, without His victory, and without explanation of the fact that He is very alive today, and very involved as King of this world. THis dismissal bothers me more than anything else…
Tim,
Very interesting perspective on “The Passion of the Christ” one that both confirms some issues that I had with the film and challenges me on some others.
I was unaware of Sister Anne Emmerich’s devotional, but after reading your review, I understand the source of the Jesus’ extraneous dialog.
Thanks for sharing.
Leslie,
Good post. I do have a couple of comments though.
‘God was tired of the priests’
Actually, the worship system in the old testament was a shadow of what was to come. I think of it as training wheels for mankind. Just as the blood sacrifices foreshadowed the blood sacrifice of Christ, the system of priests foreshadowed a nation of priests in the church with 1 high priest, Jesus Christ, as the one and only mediator between man and God. The temple was a foreshadow of the time when God would live in his people and we would be the temple of God. And so many more examples. Hebrews shows how the old foreshadowed the new in so many ways. There is no doubt that the majority, though not all, of the old testament priesthood had grown corrupt; but the same could be said of many churches today who claim to be the Lord’s people.
The symbolism of the torn curtain is lost on anyone who doesn’t take the time to read old testament scripture, but then so is so much else. I agree with your recommendation for reading scripture more whole-heartedly!
I noticed the same things about Jesus “finding” strength after making eye contact with his mother and how Mary was in every scene. It was clearly giving Mary a part in the passion that isn’t in the bible.
As far as not presenting the “context”, the passion is just that, the Passion of the Christ, which is the “the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death” so the fact that part of His ministry was weaved into the film was a plus. Normally, none of that is included in a passion play.
As far as Protestant Ministers giving their thumbs up, I have heard many ministers saying that it would be good to read through the gospels before and after seeing the film. If anything, this film for a non-believer may even lead them to touch the bible and read it, to discover the real biblical account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. I think the movie at least pricks an interest in the “real story” just because of the fact it doesn’t tell the “whole story”. It may leave the non-believer desiring to know more.
If you look close in the temple cracking scene, you will see a part of the veil lying in a pile to one side, having been torn. I was disappointed that the visual of that curtain tearing from top to bottom wasn’t shown though.
The best evangelistic tool is the Bible itself! No movie will ever be able to accurately portray the passion, or Christ’s entire life because regardless of what the Bible says…parts are left out that leave us all wondering things. What this movie has obviously done though is stirred something in people to at least check things out. I bet that yesterday there were a few people in the world that dusted off their bible and read it again, or maybe even read it for the first time, or at least went out and got one!
We need to be out there answering questions that the film arouses in people who see it and do not yet know Christ as their Savior.
Comparing it to the Jesus film? Have you seen the Jesus film? It’s a wonderful evangelistic tool, yet there are things one can question about its accurate portrayal, namely the admitted downplaying the role of the Jews in the death of Jesus so as to not offend, and that crucifixion apparantly isn’t a bloody business. The Jesus film was made with the intent to introduce people to the person of Christ, his teachings and the divinity of Christ through his miracles. These movies were created with different purposes in mind. In some cases we can’t even know those purposes…but God knows the heart of all those involved in any project.
The Passion of the Christ has obviously stirred the passion of the believer and non-believer alike. Not even Jesus Himself was recognized by the cynic, so why should any man made film, book, or musical composition expect universal acceptance?
Read the bible…experience the passion.
Tim,
I’m coming back to the beginning here after writing an outflowing below. Please bear with me as I bare all that has been stored up in my heart for many years. Thank you for all you’ve faithfully shared as God has tried your heart.——————————————————————-God says that He will give us a peace that passes our understanding. I don’t have to understand WHY I have no peace about going to a film in order to obey the Spirit of God. Since coming to begin my walk with God in 1979, I’ve found times that my spirit has been troubled as I’ve observed new moves within Christian circles. Sometimes I’ve not been able to agree with the multitudes who say “Hey, you’re legalistic….can’t you see GOD working here?” Yet, if I’ve had no peace in viewing or doing what others seem to have peace in viewing or doing, what is that to me? Following my own conscience has always proven of benefit to me. First obeying the Spirit’s prompting and then asking for enlightenment has never led me to be misguided.
Just trying to watch the trailer for “The Passion” brought such a bother to my spirit. I simply could not view it. I had a strong warning within which led me to begin asking for understanding why the Lord would not allow me to view the film. I am thankful that you took the time to share all you did…that God permitted you to view this film and share each troubling scene with us. I have such a hard time getting the images out of my mind. The Holy Spirit helped me, encouraging me to Behold the beauty, the beauty of the Lord … inquire in His temple.He is high and lifted up. His eyes are aflame. His hair is white as wool. His garments are pure and white. And He is gloriously beautiful.
I’ve read quite a variety of opinions, reports on this film. Billy Graham has said that whenever he preaches, he will always see this portrayal before him. The wife of the actor who played Christ said that her husband looked like Jesus.Mel Gibson used the Shroud of Turin as the make-up pattern for Jim’s face. I shudder at the possibilities, remembering a Catholic woman who used to carry a picture of the shroud in her wallet in 1980…looking at it because she believed this was the face of Jesus. What if? What if a man comes along who performs miracles and holds the likeness to the face on the Shroud?What if poor, dumb sheep are being led into the slaughter of deception by partaking of another Jesus, a Catholic Jesus, a false Christ, designed by the Spirit of Antichrist?
Truly, I believe the spirit of Antichrist is preparing the strong delusion and is at the very door. If judgment begins at the house of God, then it has begun. If God is going to allow such deceiving powers to try the entire world, is it not possible that He has given permission for this power of deception to first try His Church? And, sadly….deeply so — the blind seem to be following the blind right into the ditch.
At the same time that this film is opening, most denominational churches in my town have begun a 40-day bible study with “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. Lent is a 40-day period with its root in pagan idolatry. It was brought into popularity once again — by the Catholic church.The prophet Jeremiah had much to say to warn a backslidden people about burning incense to the queen of heaven….Mary is prayed to, incense is burned to her…she is known as Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven. These facts have shaken me wide awake!
I am so very thankful for a pastor who has exhorted us to be students of the Word of God….to prove if what he teaches us is indeed in line with the Word of God. Just a few verses written by our Holy God thousands of years ago disprove the validity of this picture of Jesus’ face — millions of dollars have been spent to promote this false image proclaimed to be imprinted on the cloth that was laid about Christ’s body. And one single verse proves the wisdom of God. If we are simple enough to believe the Scriptures, we can be preserved by these precious truths (John 19:40; John 20:7 andJohn 11:44).
In the past two weeks I have come to understand more of where we are in the timeline of history. I feel my eyes are wide open, that I am being brought fully awake. May we each find the Spirit of God awakening us, renewing us, reviving us and strenthening us to stand….to take a FIRM stand upon the Word of God.
I’ve become excited at the possibilities of The Passion INDEED being used by the Lord….It is my burning desire to see the Lord turn all the plans that the enemies of God have in store upon their own heads. For I’m determined that if anyone asks me if I’ve seen it that I’m going to tell them that I will not turn my eyes upon this film. For I believe that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. What I view with my eyes will either strengthen the Spirit of God within me or will grieve Him and bring me into a weakened spiritual state. I believe this movie is an abomination to the Spirit of God. I believe that it is inspired by the spirit of Antichrist and contains damnable heresies. For God said that anyone who took away or added to the words of His Book — a curse would come upon them.
May God have mercy upon all who embrace this film and promote it as a work of God. May He open the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf and loose those who have been crippled by blind leadership. May He help us make straight paths for our feet….paths that will lead us to separate ourselves from all that is unclean. For I do hear Him say: “Come out from this and be separate. Touch not, view not this unclean thing.” Sound the trumpet.
I never planned on sharing my full heart here tonight. But, I am thankful that God used you to prime the pump and open a sealed well. May His Spirit continue to show us our True Lord and Saviour…and may our heart be filled with desire and prayers that Jesus, Lord Jesus…come quickly.
Karen,
You have a tender heart for Messiah, and are on good ground when you respond to His still small voice and follow the path of peace. I had the same reaction as I watched the movie trailer, although it took five or six viewings to sense something was wrong. I felt the grieving of God’s Spirit deep inside me. Although I appreciate people like Tim who saw the movie to keep the brethren informed, the Lord made it clear that I was to avoid seeing this film. I believe Yeshua (Jesus) is talking to His Bride as His return draws near. The church apostasy began in the first century as chronicled in the Pauline epistles and we are seeing theculmination of abomination and evil in these last days. A few days ago the Lord gave me the same Scripture you quoted from Revelation, “Come out of her, My people,” meaning away from the harlot church. You are fortunate to have a pastor who is discerning and a student of the Word. So many evangelical ministers and leaders are blindly endorsing this film and leading their flocks on the broad road to destruction. Yeshua says difficult is the way and narrow is the gate that leads to life, and few find it. Bless you for not compromising and heaving ears to hear.
I thank all of you so much for what I have read so far about “The Passion” film. You might all find the following story interesting. I had purchased a ticket to “The Passion” last Sunday at my church, and had planned on viewing it with others in my congregation tonight. I’ve been following the media blitz and watched the “Mel” interview on ABC lately. Anyway, I got home this afternoon and started questioning why I wanted to see the film A lot of my misgivings seem to be the same as yours. I was uncomfortable about Gibson’s Catholicism, his increased importance for Mary,the use of Anne Emmerich’s book, and the lack of movie time for the resurrection in the film (or so I hear). So I didn’t go and may not see it at all. This whole thing has made me want to read the four Gospels again, and not some Hollywood star’s version of it. By the way, I was part of the the small audience that saw the excellent “Gospel of John” film in 2003. Where were our Christian brothers and sisters then?Anyway, thanks again for everyone’s honest sharing about this topic. May we all turn again to our one and only true source—the Holy Bible.
It was great to hear some reason with regards to your commentary on the passion. I all most went to see the Movie but after hearing about the RC lean on the movie decided not to. I also felt that the mainline Protestents had divorced there minds and compromised Gods word by giving their whole hearted support towards the movie. I guess this just tells you that feeling is more important than truth and reason these days, Niel
Posted by: Niel MacConnell at February 27, 2004 03:32 AM
Thank-you all.
As Tim’s wife, I have watched him struggle with this issue. After seeing the movie it has been a difficult couple of days for us. When a lot of the christian world is rejoicing in such an event you start to wonder if you are losing your mind. I thank-you all for posting and your gentleness and kindness in doing so. I don’t expect everyone to agree, but it is nice to find that some do.
Blessings.
Aileen and Tim,Clearly the Passion will not be an effective “evangelism tool” because its not taking the scales off anyones eyes.1. The secularist and some jews see it as a bloody mess 2. The “liberal” christians think it misses Jesus most important aspect of his teaching: diversity, and acceptance3. The hard core christian right, see it as another weapon in the cultural warsand you guys evidently see it as another example of catholicsm cultism.
Interesting…By the way I am not catholic believe in sola scritura and liked the movie a great deal.Also to take up for Mel Gibson I thought the whole Satanic appearance in the Garden and the opening quote from Isiah was meant to tell WHY Jesus came and had to die.If you think about it, thats actually NOT spelled out in the Gospels. It took Paul a number of very dry epistles (that few actually read) to cover that material.
Thank you for your review. I have not seen the film and I will not see it. I was just reading a baptist college message board and everyone on there was commenting on “how horrible it must have been for Mary to see her son on the cross.” Well, when I read my Bible, I always think of how God the Father must have felt to see Jesus, His Only Begotten Son, on the cross. Apparently, this movie has accomplished its goal…a return to the adoration and worship of Mary. Let’s just overturn the reformation. How sad! God will not share His glory with another. Our bible says 1Tim 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
Thank you tim.. I did go see the movie and while I watched it grimaced at the role of Mary… at the words that came out of Jesus’ mouth that I have never heard before… almost exalting Mary… I am your son and the son of your handmaiden… the strenght he seemed to acquire everytime he looked at Mary… .I struggled with the feelings of bretrayal since I hoped to see a film that truly depicted the Passion of Christ…Jesus said in Luk 8:21 But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it. I think if anything, Jesus the man found his strenght to go on first of all because of his obedience to his Father and his love for his human mothers and brothers,sisters, fathers that being humankind in general.. his love for us. Mary was not his source of strenght although she was certainly included in that group of people for which Jesus died for. That is not to say that I do not respect and honor what she has done in history but I believe even she would have us looking at solely upon the person of christ… from her own words Mary said in Joh 2:5 His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Here Mary points to Jesus as the person wherein we should focus on… It’s sad that as a prostestant we did not hear enough sermons on the wonderful person of Mary and the way in which she obediently carried out God’s will… I fault this on our Catholic brothers whose exaltation of Mary has caused her message and the message of scripture to be deviated and sometimes lost. I expressed my concerns to my husband a Prostestant Pastor as I walked out of the theater and he agreed. Although I have to admit..I am not totally against the film because as I watched Jesus sacrifice and knowing the why of his actions I was moved at his extreme love for me that he would go through this torture for me…a sacrifice that we can only read about and imagine. In conclusion, I hope that this movie does cause people to at least talk about Jesus, open their bibles and read the actual story.Ida N.
I am so thankful to have found this website and your review and these comments on the movie…and on the church in our culture today. It seems very lonely out here sometimes! God bless you Tim with every encouragement from Christ Jesus.
Huh, I liked it. I must be going to hell.
Tim
Thanks for your excellent review, I won’t be seeing the movie but it was good to read your description without having to wade through the visual assualt which is a symptom of todays highly competitive movie market.
Sometimes the hysteria can become a little overwhelming and I remember something you said some weeks ago, “It’s just a movie.”
RegardsDuncan
I’m not going to see the movie because I don’t want to see the violence. I’ve grappled whether this is disloyal to Jesus but I think the Bible account will just have to do for me. :-)
Hi Kathy. While I agree that the Bible account is enough for us, I think that we need to have an idea of what is presented in the movie to be able to refute it to others who would not know enough to pick out the mistakes. Thankfully, what Tim has written will help in that department for those of us who have not watched the film…
Thanks Tim for the posts that you have written. I just saw the film tonight and found your synopsis accurate and review similar to my thoughts. I also agree with Leslie’s comments, as I felt the same way about the splitting temple scene. My partner also had problems with the crow attacking one of the other people who was crucified. Jesus had just finished saying ‘Forgive them for they know not what they do’ and then all of a sudden sent a crow to punish this mocker - this seemed contradictory.
All in all, I am glad that I watched the film, particularly because I know that the people that I run with would not really accept my comments about the film as credible if I had not watched it.
I am honestly a little disturbed reading the review and comments in this forum. Mind you it’s not because I disagree with your views. In fact a lot of it I feel is true. However I feel a little disappointed since I just shared with my church group the other day about how encouraged I am to see all the churches coming together (with prayer chains, evangelism, excitement about the Gospel) as one. And yes, this includes the Catholic churches too. And here I see the division once again. Although this movie has some inaccuracies as you call it, I can see it from the artistic point of view and get something positive out of it.
Jesus is Lord. But when He came to earth He was fully man. He didn’t toss back and forth between deity & humanity. So it’s only natural that His suffering then was very real. I think the movie helped me realize that I should be the one going through all those pain (in hell… because of my sin). But He took it all for me. It helped me realise that salvation didn’t come easy.
As to the potrayal of Mary in this movie, I didn’t see her character as too highly exalted. The Bible mentioned that Mary went to the tomb after Jesus’ burial. So why will it be so inacurate that she was there throughout the cruxifixion too? If anything at all, I think the Mary in the movie again highlight the full manhood of Jesus at that time.
All in all, the movie didn’t claim to replace the Bible or the Gospel. If it does, then I will have a problem with that. But if it causes people to look into their Bibles and explore the truth, then it has achieved a good thing. God uses broken pots all the time… He can definitely use this movie too (accurate to the dot or not).
Again, I’m not saying I’m thrilled at the accuracy of this movie… but artistically I think it’s a job well done. Capitalise on the unity this movie has brought to the churches. We have too many denominations, too many division within the Church as it is… if there is one thing that brings our hearts closer to each other as one church (even if it’s in the form of a hollywood movie) why cast it away? If you can think of another way that can plant so many seeds of the gospel in such a short time, I would sure like to hear it. Until then, this movie has done just that.
Last note (before you guys start to stone me) ;)… Mother Theresa was a Catholic too. Hmm… it’s hard for me to think that she’s not with the Lord.
Felicia,
If The Passion causes people to open their Bibles to seek the truth, I agree this would be a good thing. But in that process, a true seeker will utimately see that this movie has flaws and blurred the lines between Protestantism and Catholicism, which spiritually is a dangerous mix. Messiah Yeshua did pray that His followers would be one as He and the Father are one, but not at the expense of mixing every religious doctrine and tradition, because not all of them represent the truth. Remember, He also said that He did not come to bring peace, but division - meaning He would separate those who worship Him in Spirit and truth from those who don’t. Because the movie has such a pervasive Catholic influence, I’m not sure unity is the fruit we should be looking for here. By the way, the Bible does not indicate by name that Yeshua’s mother went to the tomb, only Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who is identified in Matthew 27 as the mother of James and Joses and Zebedee’s sons. The best advice - as you touched on - is to open the Bible, study ourselves approved and seek Him with an open and sincere heart.
In my earlier comment about Mary not being mentioned at the cross in three of the four gospels, and the John reference being a bad translation from the Greek, I should have explained that a little better. So, for anyone who’s interested:
The correct Greek rendering reveals that only John was near the cross. Mary Magdalene and their acquaintances were at a distance. Let’s take a close look at verse 26, “When Jesus therefore saw his mother.” The word “therefore” in English is “oun” or “ouk” in Greek. “Ou” is a root which is an exclamation meaning “no” or “not.” It is a negative. The verse should not be translated as “therefore” in this context. It must be translated as “cannot” or “is not” or “did not,” as in Jesus did not see His mother. It would appear that this passage was mistranslated on purpose. The blessed mother was not even at the crucifixion site, which is harmony with the other gospels. Also in verse 26, the word “saw” or “see” is “idon” in Greek, meaning “I shall see” or “I do see.” He is referring to John, not Mary. The disciple says to Yeshua, “There is your mother.” Remember, they are on the Mount of Olives looking over the crowd and city, and Messiah says, “There is your mother.” Then He cries out, “Woman (the nation of Israel, which gave birth to Him), behold your Son.” In verse 27 He says to John, “Behold your mother!” Why would Yeshua give His mother to John when He had brothers and sisters who were capable to taking care of His mother if she needed it? It was Jewish custom and a Torah principle to take care of your immediate family. Yeshua is saying to John, “There is your mother,” referring to Israel. John also is a son of Judah, just as the Lord was. John became the chief disciple to Israel. He took up where Yeshua left off in ministering to the mother, Israel. Thanks to Peter Michas of Messengers of Messiah for his knowledge of Greek and interpretation of these passages.
Finally, a fundamentalist Protestant has seen this movie for what it is! My theology is probably considerably to the left of most people looking at this site (I am a relatively liberal Methodist), but I found myself deeply troubled by Mr. Gibson’s drastic deviations from the Gospels. I also found the reduction of the suffering that redeemed humanity to two hours of gratuitous, gross-out special effects to be positively revolting. It is truly astounding how many fundamentalist Protestant clergy have endorsed what is essentially Catholic mysticism wrapped up in cheap, horror movie special effects, and have bought into the incredibly cynical marketing of what should have been titled ‘The Gospel According to Mel.’
Tim,As far as I am aware, Christ never addressed Mary in the gospels as ‘mother’. He addressed her by the somewhat generic - at least in the Greek translation - guvn, both at the marriage feast at Cana and as he hung on the cross. In sharp contrast he continually addresses God as Father by the diminutive Abba.
In stead of judging whether or not how accurate this movie is in context to mary, his disciples, and how the crowd reacted, how about taking in consideration that this movie has changed many peoples lives into giving up there old ways of living, and coming to christ.. I believe that is what Gibson wanted. I am protestant and I find it very discouraging finding fellow protestants disliking the movie cause it’s basicly roman catholic, Lets look at the bigger picture it’s not about us, who knows Jesus already it’s about striking the interest in people to know Jesus even further, Someone here talked about knowledge, you have to remember knowledge and understanding are two different things, you might know what the bible says word for word, but do you understand it??? That is where Jesus comes in. peace.
Jeff,
I see that you we finding faults through the movie, but why search for faults in other places when we all have our own to take care of. It’s interesting how well you can qoute the scripture but it’s goes back to my previous post, do you understand it?
Jeff,Interesting interpretation. I don’t know what Bible you are using, but here it is from NIV… (John 19:25-27 - you may want to turn to your Bible)It says… “NEAR THE CROSS OF JESUS (note: not far away across the city) stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother THERE (note: near the cross of Jesus maybe?), AND (note: inclusive) the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said TO HIS MOTHER (Note: not to Israel), “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple TOOK HER INTO HIS HOME (Note: how much more literal can that get?).”
I guess the Israel part can be an interpretation. Or these verses can serve as a symbolism to that explanation. But I think it’s explained quite literally there that Jesus’ mother was there at the foot of the cross.
If anything I think this whole scene is a symbol of Jesus detaching himself with the human side of Him ‘cos He knew He was dying and going to be with His Father in heaven. His task as the Son of men were accomplished as well as His human relationship with His mother. Which is also the very important point that we protestants believe… that Mary is just human and even after Jesus’s victory, she is still human… just a tool God chose to use. Her job as a mother is done. So is Jesus’ work on earth. But nonetheless, it doesn’t mean she wasn’t at the cross.
I don’t claim to be a Bible scholar, but as far as my limitation of the language (I read these verses in different versions as well as a few other languages I know), I came to the conclusion above.
May the Lord give us all the wisdom to understand His Word and to discern what’s right.
I’m a little confused, maybe someone can answer some of my questions…
Did the Christian church just, uh, vanish for twelve or so centuries between Nicea and Luther? Was Christ’s promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his Church just abrogated for that period of time while Mariolatry was in the ascendent? Or is it possible that it is God’s Will that we love His mother, because she is a good Jewish mother, and like any good Jewish mother she says, “Have I got a Son for you!”
I do not worship Mary. I ask her to pray for me. She carried the Word in her womb for nine blessed months. Imagine the prayer of her heart in that time… Just as I ask my friends to pray for me, I ask Jesus’ Mom to pray for me to her Son. She is alive in Christ, with Him in Heaven. Why should I ask a fallen, depraved, sinful man to pray for me to my Savior, yet scorn the prayers of the woman who bore my Savior and was with him at his crucifixion, when all His disciples but John had abandoned him?
Mary “interceded” between the caterers at Cana and her Son to bring about the first public miracle of His ministry. In my spiritual life, Mary plays the same role: she says to me, “Do whatever He tells you.”
God Bless you all.
Felicia,
That passage in John appears to be a bad English translation from the Greek. Verse 25 says in the New King James version, “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother … ” The word “by” in Greek is “para,” and one of the meanings can be “from.” Since the other three gospel accounts establish that everyone was at a distance from the cross, it’s probably safe to say that “para” here means “from,” as in “from a distance.” That changes the whole meaning of the passage. Therefore, the overall proper translation should be: “But over there standing away from the cross of Jesus was the mother (Mary, the mother of James and Joseph according to Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40), and the mother’s sister (Salome the mother of the sons of Zebedee), and Mary Magadalene.” Hope that helps.
This movie appears to have created division.
Some people who have commented through this site and other media, seem to have become personally offended by others’ opinions and positions. This is age-old problem with we humans. We can’t seem to separate the person from their opinions. Nor can some of us ignore contrary opinions and not them detract from our own convictions, needs and wants and in this case, “enjoyment” of this movie.
Some people say the movie should not be viewed because it is idolatrous to create images of Jesus. They rely on the second commandment. Other people say that the movie is flawed because the “how” of Jesus’s last 12 hours was based on a Catholic mystic’s visions and thus is not “accurate” to the written Word of God. Others are convinced that what they saw on the screen was exactly the way it happened. Still others have called the movie “pornographic” for its reductionism and excessive “gore”. Many people have been moved. Many have been disgusted. Some have been bored or unaffected.
To all those who were deeply moved and enriched by seeing this movie, I say good for you. God has used this movie to touch your heart which is what He desires to do. You are the type of person who will move others to focus on Jesus because you were so affected by what you saw.
To those people like Tim who have reservations about watching any image of Jesus and who require accuracy in Bible interpretations, I say good for you. There is merit to what you say. You are the type of people that encourage others stay grounded in the Word of God. You will be the ones to remind us that the word of God should neither be added to nor taken from. We need people like you and that’s why God made you that way.
To those of you who did not know Jesus before the movie but now have have questions, I say Praise God! He has used this movie as a tool to get your attention. Ask away, dear friend!
To those of you who were unaffected by this movie or negatively affected, we will pray that some day God will open your heart to receiving His Word. In the meantime, know that He loves you.
To those of you who don’t want to watch gore I say, that’s okay. Go into prayer and ask God to tell you what happened and ask Him to convict your heart and put the images of that day in your mind’s eye. He will. Perhaps you would prefer to read about it. There is plenty of material on the internet written by doctors about Jesus’ last day. To you I say, do not feel obliged to watch this movie nor feel badly about your decision. If you ask God, He will “show” you what happened and ask Him to move you and touch your heart. He will.
Jesus taught us that the body of Christ is made up of many different parts and that the church needs all the parts in order to function. God made us all differently. Some of us are visual learners, some learn only through reading. Still others are a combination thereof. Those parts of the body are now writing commentary about the movie.
Whatever is written by one of the parts of the “body”, let us not become polarized and divided about Jesus and what His life, death and ressurection meant for all of us. Allowing ourselves to become embroiled in angst over this movie is exactly what Satan wants.
My prayer is that if nothing else, this movie will cause us all to focus only on Jesus and cause us to pant with thirst for the Word of God and for authentic fellowship in the body of Christ.
And to anyone who finds fault with what I have written or thinks I am fence-sitting, I say, thank you for your comments. I continue to love Jesus and pray that we stand together in that pursuit.
God bless.
Leslie,
I agree in principle with most of what you’ve just shared. The greatest struggle I am having is with how a visual image could affect the spirit of worship, true worship, the worship that God desires from His people and that He seeks after — worship that is in spirit AND truth.
I’m coming to surrender all my intellectual reasonings, to submit my mind to God and His infinite wisdom. I’m coming to understand now WHY He gave commandments that I’ve never before considered in the light in which I am now viewing them.
The issue at the bottom of my heart is gaining the answer to a few questions:
1. What is idolatry?
2. How does idolatry affect my worship?
3. How does idolatry add to Scripture’s truths or take away from Scripture’s truths?
4. Is God possibly allowing this film to produce exatly what you and I see? Even to turn us who truly do love Him but who aren’t yet perfect in knowledge, to turn us to seek His face as we’ve never sought Him before?
I have an extensive study of the Scriptures, just listing passage after passage that has been quickened to my mind. With today’s technology, we can enter a word into our computer search engines and produce an entire theology around the original Greek, the original Hebrew meanings of words. Thus, I have had to be very attentive to the Spirit of God…listening FIRST to what I believe HE speaks to our hearts and then searching the written voice.
What has blessed my heart the most about finding this place to sharpen our swords is the teachableness of spirit that seems to be conveyed through written form. Malachi 3 reveals that God is taking into account as we, His disciples, speak the things He has shown us. He is even writing these things down in a book of record.I want to be found pure from all that defiles at His coming. I want to be one of His jewels.
To this end, I, too, covet the input of other saints in the body of Christ to try, to test, and to share anything to further aid me in truly having the mind of Christ.
I would be happy to send anyone via e-mail a download of the passages that I’ve been pouring over. They are without any personal comment. But, I would be very interested in trying them by the ear of my brother or sister in Christ, to see if the Spirit of God speaks anything similar to them through these eternal words.
I do not hear a fence-sitter. I hear a disciple.
Striving to Enter In at the Narrow Gate,
Karen
Jeff,
The bible you have said you self in the previous post about where mary stood when christ was cruxified, state that “”by the cross of Jesus His mother … ” The word “by” in Greek is “para,” and one of the meanings can be “from.” Since the other three gospel accounts establish that everyone was at a distance from the cross, it’s probably safe to say that “para” here means “from,” as in “from a distance.”” qouted by you… I see this as beening instead of taking the bible for what it says, it’s saying that you taking the bible for what you want it to say.. And I am not trying to be harsh, cause lots of people do that. People take words from the bible, that has been translated, from Greek-English and King James vs. is pos to be the most accurate version in English. So why not just accept it for what it says, seriously does these little petty details change the msg of the movie? Do they ruin the movie as a whole, ask your selves this…
Dax,
I should have known this would open a can of worms! My intent was not to ruin the movie for anyone or to cast doubt on anyone’s faith. I simply thought it would be helpful to those who would like a more accurate picture of the events surrounding the mother of Yeshua at His crucifixion and resurrection. As I’ve tried to show above, the reference to her in John 19 does not agree with the other gospels. That would suggest to me that the early translators - monks and the church fathers - had an agenda and thus messed with text. The Catholic understanding of Mary of the foot of the cross makes for a warm and fuzzy mother’s day sermon, but I believe the Scriptures show clearly that Mary was not there. If she was, she was at a distance and is not mentioned in Scripture. The errors in our English translations do not take away the stability of the New Testament, but we must be careful working with it. If you want to take this John passage at face value, fine. The Bible says for us to study ourselves approved, and God out of His mercy left us enough tools and resources to expose the errors made by the early translators and get to the truth. I’m grateful for that.
Felicia,
One last note about the Mary vs. Israel issue. I found these notes from a pastor friend who is Greek by heritage and an expert at the Greek language. In John 19:26, Messiah says to His mother, “Woman behold your Son.” Both the word “mother” (the Greek uses “metri,” a word that means an undefined number of individuals but being seen as a composite oneness, common in Hebrew thought, instead of the singular personal word “metra”) and “women” (“yunai” instead of the common singular “yunaika” to mean a certain woman) describe a number of individuals being seen as a composite plural. We must remember that this Greek is attempting to express a Hebrew idiom for both the word “mother” and “woman.” In verse 27, He says to John, “Behold, your mother!” Now go to Revelation 12. The woman mentioned here is Israel, not Mary as the Catholics teach. The 12 stars are the 12 tribes of Israel. The passage says the times of the seasons were under her feet. All the feast days were calculated by Israel. God’s perfect cycles of time were given to Israel and she owned this wisdom. When it says the woman fled to the wilderness to a place prepared by God, this was not Mary. This was the period under Titus at the time of the destruction of the Temple. A great part of Israel went to Petra during this time for protection. At the cross, Yeshua did not see His mother, but He did see Israel, His mother. The womb of Israel gave birth to Messiah. Mary (Miriam) was the end of the line representing the womb which gave birth to Yeshua.
One more thought: why wasn’t Mary at the cross? Earlier in the gospels there is a scene in which Yeshua is teaching a multitude and Mary and her sons come to talk to Yeshua. He hardly even acknowledges them and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers and sisters,” referring to those who do His will. The text hints that there was tension in the family - perhaps mother and brothers were beginning to question Yeshua’s claims. However, after the resurrection one of Yeshua’s brothers is won over and he becomes one of the pillars of the Jerusalem church. I’m not trying to bash Mary here - she was a humble Jewish girl who agreed to led God use her for His plans and purposes. What an honor that was. But the Catholic veneration of Mary is pure apostasy. Even our bad English translations seem to exalt Mary more than it should.
Jeff,Most of us do not know Greek or ancient Hebrew. Does that mean our Bible (in English) is not God’s real Word to us? So we should all choose to believe the interpretations of 1 man (Peter Michas as you mentioned), who happens to be of Greek heritage and ignore the Spirit in our hearts that God has left us with to help us understand His Word? If I have to go to my Greek dictionary or call up Peter Michas everytime I do my devotion, what kind of a relationship with God will I have? It’s like talking to my dad via a translator.
You mentioned, “the early translators had an agenda and thus messed with text.” Whoa whoa whoa… that’s where I draw the line. By that you’re taking away the authority of the Word (or shoudl I say the English Bible?) What do we have left if we believe that and read the Bible with such a reservation? How many more passages was mistranslated by their own agenda? I believe God has allowed His Word to be translated into many different languages to allow people to know His heart to a deeper level - at a personal level.
By the way, I also read that passage in 2 other languages. At face value they all say the same. So I guess those English translators must have met up with the other language translators and set out to decieve all of us huh? ;)
So yes, I will take that passage in John at face value (in the languages that I understand). I will read the Bible in context and as a whole, not take the verses apart and tranlate them into Greek word by word trying to come up with my para-explanation. I don’t think God meant for our relationship with Him to be such a riddle.
As for the Mary by the cross discussion, I’m a little tired commenting on that. But scholars believed that James was the blood brother of Jesus… which means that the same Mary in John was also mentioned in the other 3 Gospels.
Jeff, I think our discussion have strayed away from the movie this thread started out with. Maybe we should let it return to its original agenda.
Felicia,
Agreed. I thought these comments might be edifying to someone, but instead it appears that it has ruffled some feathers. Is our English Bible God’s Word? Of course! Have errors occured as man translated the original Greek text to Latin, back to Greek, then to English? Yes! Do a history lesson if you don’t believe me. But God kept enough of the truth intact to allow a person to come to a saving knowledge of Himself and to be fed daily by His Word. I never suggested that someone should ignore the Spirit’s leading. But God also gave us teachers and rescources to allow us to dig deeper into His Word if that’s our desire. No one man has complete truth, and Peter Michas isn’t the only man who knows Greek and Hebrew. No, you shouldn’t run to a teacher every time you do a devotion. Hopefully, you are growing in the Word and, when necessary, you can wisely choose a teacher or pastor or resource book to help with difficult Bible passages. The Word says to study OURSELVES approved. If you want to believe that Mary was at the cross, even though that conflicts with three of the gospels, then buy it! If you want to take the English Bible at face value only, then go for it. I thank Tim for allowing me to raise some issues regarding Mary and I apologize if this offended anyone. Blessings to you all.
This was my first time reviewing this web site and I found it interesting reading the comments on The Passion. I’m a Catholic and I have not had a lot of exposure to Protestant theology, and I was somewhat surprised at the widespread misperceptions about the Catholic faith. Although most of the comments were thoughtful and appeared to be from well-educated, faithful people, I think many of you folks need to lighten up a little on the anti-Catholic thing.
I won’t get into refuting every misperception I noticed, but certainly one of the biggest hang-ups seem to be about Mary, the Blessed Mother of God. Why is it so many of you try to go out of your way to diminish the woman who bore our Savior? Is it possible to love Mary too much? Please notice I use the word “love” and not worship. Catholics do NOT worship Mary, we revere her and pray to her in the hope of being closer to her Son. We don’t HAVE to pray to Mary, we choose to because she is a gift to us from Christ. I think it’s strange that of all the things separating Catholics and Protestants, Mary of all things is a stumbling block. Here we are discussing an enormously popular film that will undoubtedly bring countless people closer to Christ and there are some Christians who’s first reaction is to make a bee line for their Greek dictionaries in order to prove to us that Mary may not have been at the crucifixion. Do you ever stop and wonder what fuels this?
It’s easy for any armchair director to take shots at Mel Gibson’s movie, but I wonder if some of his critics in this forum could produce a better film. Since most of you can’t seem to agree on the myriad of opportunities for theological hair-splitting I’ll bet there isn’t a movie that could be made that would satisfy you. There really is something to be said for the teaching authority of the Church.
One thing I noticed that is correct in many of the comments on this site is that The Passion is deliberately rich in Catholic imagery. That’s one of the reasons I love this film so much. Is it possible that I’m not alone in this regard? Imagine, unwitting Protestants drawn to this film because they recognize it’s inherent beauty and message of forgiveness and hope. Who knows, maybe they could even reach an understanding of things they weren’t able to teach themselves . . .
Larry-There really is something to be said for the teaching and authority of Scripture. I think we all would agree that the Word of God found in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to direct us. Let me ask you first, Where do you find in the Scriptures that Mary was given to us as a gift from Christ? I read about a gift from God in Ephesians 2:8&9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast”. Now that’s a Gift! Secondly, Where do you find in Scriptures that we should pray to Mary? For any reason? I find in 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and there is ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. We are to pray to God through Jesus. What a privilege. I am glad this forum which started about a movie, “The Passion” has already brought about much discussion about what really matters…Saving Faith in Christ Alone.BlessingsConnie
Hi Connie,
As wacky as it might sound, Catholics don’t believe that scripture is the “only rule to direct us” as you put it. In addition to the scriptures we also believe in the Magisterial teaching authority of the Church and a 2000 year old sacred tradition. Sort of like a three for the price of one deal … I’m definitely not the best Catholic to talk with about explaining the nuances of this approach, but I personally find it to be intellectually sound and quite helpful in discerning everyday questions of faith and morality.
Now to your question about Mary being a “gift from Christ”. I have to admit to employing a bit of personal hyperbole on that one. I’m not sure if the Catholic Church teaches that as doctrine or not. I consider my own mother to be a gift to me from God so extending that idea to the Blessed Mother didn’t seem to be that big a stretch for me. But I guess if I’m allowed to apply your standard of authority in answering that question I’ll say that Christ gave us the gift of Mary in John 19:27. I acknowledge that I’m just “winging it” here, but without some form of teaching authority I don’t see how my opinion can be any more or less valid than your opinion on this interpretation of scripture. If both of us have markedly different opinions, then both of us can’t be right. In all His wisdom you’d think God would have made this a little easier for us … well actually, I think he did :-)
As far as your second question, “where in scripture” does it say we should pray to Mary? I admit you really have me there! As Catholics we do a lot of nutty stuff that isn’t spelled out in scripture. Not only do we pray to Mary, we pray to the whole communion of saints as well, we even pray for each other if you can imagine that! As I understand it, our theology of the Holy Trinity isn’t even spelled out in scripture. But come to think of it, this concept probably isn’t completely foreign to you since there doesn’t appear to be any direct reference to sola scriptura in the New Testament either. But I digress . .
My only intention in contributing to this forum in the first place was to defend Mel Gibson’s movie from a Catholic perspective. I think all of us viewed The Passion through the prism of our own religious beliefs. If that’s true then the film will resonate more with some than others. Given the state of our culture today I think most Christians of good will are not so busy straining gnats that they cannot appreciate this film for the important event it is.
Larry-What it all comes down to is… Who is our authority? We are taught that Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18&19 are direct references to support ‘Sola Scriptura’. And, as far as the doctrine of the Trinity, there are hundreds of Scripture references to support this. Off the top of my head…Matthew 28:19 - “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name [note: singular noun] of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” I realize it was not your first intention to enter into a theological discussion, but when a movie is made about Jesus’ death, how can one help it?Larry I don’t think you need to defend Mr. Gibson’s movie from any perspective. After all, he said himself…”It is what it is”. A movie of his view of Christs sufferings. No one of any faith could ever accurately portray our Lords Sacrifice. And by the way, I am not going to see the movie…I’ve read THE BOOK. Peace
This movie is like the Pied Piper leading the lemming to their death. It is a misleading and seductive movie and I would have to say that it is the work of the antichrist. I say that because when you see this movie and the effect that it has upon mankind, you will also see an analogy of the deception which will happen in the endtime scenario. Mankind will be seduced and reduced to lemming ready for the slaughter. This movie scares the hell out of me because of the seductive and controlling nature of it. This movie is not about the death of Christ, this movie is about the death of mankind at the hands of the antichrist in the endtime scenario. I would advise you to be very careful in regard to this movie. One other thing, the three main female leads in the movie are three of the top porn stars in Italy, especially Monica Bollucci. Forgive me but I think I mispelled her last name but you get the message. Take care, Tom
Tim,
Thank you for all the research you have done. You have bravely and honestly shared and opened my eyes some too. At one point I was almost ashamed to say I didn’t like the movie. Being raised a Catholic I saw many similarities to the Catholic faith. I found it difficult to understand why protestant leaders thought it such a great tool for evangelizing. “Know the truth and the truth will set you free.” The truth is Christ and Him crucified. We saw the crucifixion. Gibson made sure of that. We now get the flogging and fully understand what it means to be beaten beyond recognition. What of Christ? Does it truly show us who He was and is? I’m afarid it was somewhat lost in Gibson’s translation. One thing I can say is that it’s got people talking in a way we conservative canadians have never done before. With curiosities peaked I pray that God will give us wisdom To speak His truth into these lives.I can not and will not watch this movie again. In a desperate search for something redeeming. I tried to keep my mind fixed on Christ not Jim. He was bruised for my inquities and His punishment has brought me peace. This movie was made and no matter how much controversy it stirs up at it the end of the day one truth remains, Christ did died. He died on a cross to redeem me from my sins, He is risen and is seated in heavenly places and I will see Him someday. It reminds me of a song I learned as a little girl. “It wouldn’t be enough, it couldn’t be enough to buy one splinter from the tree Jesus died on. I couldn’t pay the price for one single drop of blood that was shed for my salvation.