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Why I Won't Be Watching Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" - ANd Never Will.

3/30/2015

9 Comments

 
Picture
It’s been over 10 years since Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” first hit theatres but the film is still not lacking in popularity. Evangelicals generally seem to have a high regard for the movie. Many notable men within the evangelical community have endorsed the film.
  • James Dobson, Chairman, Focus on the Family: “It is deeply moving, powerful, and disturbing. A film that must be seen – although the graphic scenes of scourging of Jesus are emotionally wrenching.”
  • Darrell Bock, Research Professor of New Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary: "Three words summarize for me: Sobering, Stunning, Haunting. The film speaks for itself. I hope you keep the graphic nature of it complete in the film, because it will cause everyone to reflect on what His death was. The world tends to wash over this directness. The details are very accurate -- this is the kind of death our Lord died for me."
  • Tim LaHaye, Tim LaHaye Ministries: "Everyone should see this movie. It could be Hollywood's finest achievement to date."
  • Dr. Jerry Falwell, The Liberty Channel: "Mr. Gibson has attempted to painstakingly recreate the crucifixion of Christ, not to assail Jews, but to arouse in people a desire to understand the price paid for their salvation. I am praying that Mel Gibson's movie will have a powerful impact on our culture and that it will appeal to millions of movie lovers who are starving for a glimmer of honesty regarding the miraculous and life-changing story of the One who died for everyone, no matter their religious heritage, station in life, sexual preference or skin color."
  • Lee Strobel, famous Evangelical Christian author: "The Passion will stun audiences and create an incredible appetite for people to know more about Jesus. I urge Christians to invite their spiritually seeking friends to see this movie with them."[1]
I’ll admit this right off – I’ve never seen the movie and I never will. While I suspect that most will criticize me for having the audacity to criticize a movie I’ve never seen I do believe that I have reason to not watch the movie.

The Movie Reverses Scriptures Focus 
Throughout the pages of God’s Word the death of Christ is placed within the context of His life and resurrection. Nowhere in the New Testament is there is a suggestion that we should meditate on the gory details of Christ’s brutal treatment he received along the road to Calvary. The New Testament invites us to focus on His obedient life, His atoning death, His glorious resurrection, His ceaseless intercession, and His triumphant return.

Mel Gibson’s film reverses that order. The central overwhelming context of the movie is the death of Christ. Details about Jesus’ life and resurrection are just small bits within the movie's central theme. Even after spending two hours vividly depicting the suffering and grief of Jesus the film deduces the Resurrection to a couple of special effects tacked on at the end.

If focusing on the brutality of the passion week was important we would expect the Apostle Paul of all people to have included details about it. Paul was flogged five times, he was beaten with rods three times, he was stoned once and he was even shipwrecked three times (2 Corinthians 11:24-29). Yet, in spite of all this “life experience,” Paul chooses to life up for our meditation the nobility of Christ’s character.

There has been a popular expression recently that says we should live a “Cross Centered Life.” While I can appreciate and understand that sentiment the truth is that if the resurrection did not happened the cross has no significance. The core of the Christian belief is the finished work of the resurrection (I Corinthians 15:14). If Christ did not rise our faith has no fountain; our belief has no blood.

The Scriptures teaching on meditation admonishes us to contemplate, not the gory details of Christ’s death, but the beauty of Christ’s character especially as it relates to His great sacrifice for us.

The Movie Puts a Picture in Your Mind You Can Never Erase 
The film is rated R for its graphic violence. Every parent would agree that this is not a film for children. Since the blood factor is actually pretty minimal in the Gospel accounts I am forced to wonder where Gibson gets his information and inspiration.

The brutality and gore in the film is not designed to inspire but to leave people shocked and emotionally drained. Sure, the movie slips in some dogma, but what really sticks with the viewer is the brutality of the film. Blood splatters. Skin ripped open. Eyes swollen shut. Gibson’s focus is clearly on Christ’s suffering. Grown ups – even true believers – will have difficulty sitting through the whole film.

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. I tend to believe that this is particularly true with cinema. Frankly, I don’t want Mel Gibson’s portrayal of the cross to be the picture forever engrained in my imagination. Billy Graham himself acknowledged, “Every time I preach or speak about the Cross, the things I saw on the screen will be on my heart and mind.”

Before you go to watch this movie please ask yourself this question: “Do I really want to be permanently influenced by a Mel Gibson’s portrayal of Christ’s passion?” I’ve asked myself that question and my answer is an emphatic “No!” God chose to proclaim the Gospel, not through drama, but through the foolishness of preaching (Colossians 1:21). The Gospels are not replete with graphic, gory details but a sober account of how Christ nobly offered Himself as a sacrifice for our salvation. Faith does not come by seeing but “by hearing” (Romans 10:17).

Man can use shock and violence to evoke strong emotion and bind viewers but this is not God’s way. The Gospel writers do not linger on the details of the suffering of the cross. They report Jesus’ suffering in the briefest of terms. The message of the Gospels is that what was important for our salvation was not the intensity of Christ’s suffering, but the fact that Jesus offered Himself as atonement for our sin.

The Movie is Undeniably Catholic in its Origins 
In an interview with the EWTN Network, Mel Gibson said that the movie: “… reflects my beliefs – I’ve never done that before. … I don’t know if I will ever work again. I’ve said that this is a career killer and it could well be, but that doesn’t matter because I don’t care.” [2]

Now that you’ve read that quote and been moved by it consider this – Mel Gibson is a traditional Catholic. The advisor’s he used for the film were Roman Catholic. Mass was held daily before every screening. It’s even been reported that some of the crew converted to Catholicism as a result of the experiences they had on set.

As we noted earlier, the Gospels do not include many gory details about the Passion Week. Because of this Gibson was forced to look elsewhere for his inspiration. Gibson used Anne Catherine Emmerich and her writings to help with his film.

The Catholic church refers to Anne Catherine Emmerich as a “Mystic Nunn.” Born September 8, 1774 in Germany she became a Augustinian Nunn before she died on February 9, 1824. During her lifetime she experienced the mystical phenomenon of the wounds of Christ. She had mystical visions of the Passion Week which were written down by Clemens Brentano. Among the most famous of her writings is The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

How much of the move actually is taken from these writings? Answer: Almost every scene and line that does not explicitly appear in the Scriptures is taken from Anne Emmerich. Gibson, himself, stated that he used Scripture and “accepted visions” as the sources he drew on to make the film.[3] These extra-biblical scenes in the movie range from Satan appearing to Jesus in the garden to the women kissing the feet of Jesus as he hung on the cross (a practice of the Catholic church to this day). Even the scene where Peter denies Christ and then falls at Mary’s feet and cries out, “I have denied him, mother!” is found not in the Gospel accounts but in Emmerich’s vision.

Conclusion:
No. I’ve never seen Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.” Frankly, I never will see the movie. When I first started writing this post I actually included a lot more information about why I won’t be watching the movie but decided to keep it to these three reasons. I recognize that there will be many reading this that disagree with me. They have seen this movie and have been moved by it. If that's your case I'm really not writing to try and convince you that you are wrong and I am right. We may never be able to agree on this. This is a conclusion I have come to and you have obviously decided to come to a different one. 

God has given me four descriptions of the Passion of Christ that are enough for me. They are titled: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

Has this movie impacted many people? No doubt. It would be foolish for me to deny its worldwide impact. At the same time this does not mean I want to watch it.


[1] http://www.religioustolerance.org/chrgibson3.htm
[2] "EWTN to air 2nd exclusive interview with Mel Gibson on 'The Passion of Christ'," EWTN. com, 2004-JAN-13, at: http://www.ewtn.com/
[3] Jesus and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ by Kathleen E. Corley, Robert Leslie Webb 2004 ISBN 0-8264-7781-X pages 160-161
9 Comments
David link
3/30/2015 07:42:47 am

Even though I often have come to different conclusions than the authors of this blog I have appreciated the level headed, and Biblically reasoned positions that the authors have come to.

Unfortunately this post kind of throws a wrench in the mix. This one I have to disagree with AND say it lacks much Biblically reasoned validity about whether one should watch the film. Seems more like click bait. Kind of disappointing.

Just one random reader's one cent of course. Take it or leave it. :)

Reply
Ben
3/30/2015 02:02:55 pm

I think it's unfair to call a post like this clickbait. The post is exactly what it claims to be - the reasons the author refuses to watch The Passion. Some are based, not on chapter and verse, but principles drawn from Scripture (i.e. God choosing to preserve His truth through the written word, the emphasis placed on the resurrection over the cross). But some reasons are not explicitly Scriptural yet still valid (i.e. Catholic visions as a major source of information for the movie). Blogging isn't preaching. I don't think there's anything wrong with a blogger sharing his opinions that are based in part on Scripture and in part on other considerations.

Reply
Daniel link
5/23/2025 11:50:25 am

Paul, the apostle, preached a crucified Christ. In fact, this was the cornerstone of his message and preaching, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:23 and 2:2.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

ANON
4/2/2018 02:21:49 pm

This movie is a mockery of Jesus Christ. If God's word is not sufficient for people they have a sad future ahead of them.

Reply
Daniel link
5/21/2025 06:15:46 am

How on Earth this movie is a "mockery"..! Mel simply showed WHAT the saviour went thru, if that moved people to look after Christ, then his art it´s not a disservice, but I get you simply avoids carrying your own cross...

Reply
daniel link
2/25/2025 12:57:53 pm

«Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples: "Sit here while I go to pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to feel sadness and anguish. Then he said to them: "My soul is sad to the point of death; stay here and watch with me." And coming forward a little, he fell face down and begged thus: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, but not as I will, but as you will"" (Mt 26, 36-39).

Paul washer contradicts himself, and outrageously condemns the movie, PREJUDGING instead being wise and watching it...since the very beginning it shows what Matthew, and the gospels says about Jesus´own obedient character, something truly crude, but necessary to show that Jesus did EVERYTHING for the salvation of EVERYBODY and for each of us1 If this movie did something awesome was precisely inspiring people to read the bible, and know more abouth Christ, the God-Man, the Man-God, EMMANUEL (Isaiah 7;14)

Reply
Daniel link
2/25/2025 01:12:07 pm

He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53;5


That pretty much appears at the beginning of the film, Paul washe, would you also deny, just like the Jews, that these words prophesized Jesus as the Messiah who came to went thru suffering to HEAL US from our fallen nature? What do you fear so much, ACTUALLY?!

Reply
D.Beattie
5/24/2025 07:18:09 pm

Why fear the truth. My sin put Jesus to be judge,tortured and crucified. Millions before me as well. I need to remember his ultimate love for me,for us to clean and purify us and all we have to do is accept him. Ask forgiveness and follow him. I agree of click bait and hope that's what it is because I'd hate one is so ignorant to judge a book before reading it. I believe it would have been a totally different opinion. Keep sharing your opinion Mr. Daniel, share the truth in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.

Reply
Daniel link
5/26/2025 06:09:58 am

Thanks for the reply! And yes, we cant stand people preaching "the gospel of mediocrity" , By the way, I know Gibson is ready to roll cameras for "The Resurrection" sequel...Any art that points to God it´s not a disservice.

Reply



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