David M. Virkler
My wife, Thelma, and I previewed The Passion of the Christ at the National Religious Broadcasters convention about a week before its formal release. I also saw it with a local church group that bought out a theater on opening night. Many are probably wondering what I think of the film, and so I have decided to write this personal review.
We must be mindful that successful Hollywood film producer/director Mel Gibson, a devout Roman Catholic, has made the film from his personal understanding of the last hours of Christ's life after some 12 years of Biblical study, historical research and religious awareness of formal Catholic teaching. A dozen years ago, he was spiritually and emotionally spenteven considering suicidewhen he prayed to God for deliverance and began meditating on Christ's sufferings. He made the film against the better judgment of the Hollywood establishment, spending about $30 million of his own money. For a long time, no distributor would even touch it until the small New Market Films agreed. Gibson still had to put up his own money for distribution.
Most conservative Christians stoutly support Gibson and believe the film to be an accurate expression of the historical facts given in the four Gospels, although some are a bit uneasy with artistic liberties and muted Catholic tinges. I suspect that most Christian critics have not seen the film and, unless one holds the view that Christ ought never be portrayed in any graphic way, are unqualified to denounce it. Some liberal Christian critics already hold the Gospel narratives historically suspect and voice routine doubts.
Some Jewish leaders claim that the film blames the Jewish people for Christ's death. The film is clearly not anti-Semitic. Blame is spread to all parties.
Most unbelievers' criticism is based on ignorance or personal prejudice against the themes of blood redemption. I think most caustic criticism arises from the "offense" of the Cross as outlined in Romans 9:33 ("a stumbling stone and rock of offense"), Galatians 5:11 ("the offense of the cross") and I Corinthians 1:18 ("For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God").
One criticism is that The Passion is without context. Believers will need no context if they know their Bibles, and we should be ready to fill in any blanks the Biblically uninformed would find.
Many have criticized the film's violence. The scourging and crucifixion of Christ is positively the worst (or best) that has ever been portrayed on film and will likely never be surpassed. However, it accurately reflects both Isaiah 52:14, which describes Christ as being beyond human recognition ("So His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men"), and Psalm 22, which anticipates Roman crucifixion ("I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones.")
For the most part, Bible verses or paraphrases make up the script. The actors speak in Aramaic (the language of the common man at that time) or Latin with the English translation in subtitles.
Most all scenes and locations are historically accurate and referred to in the Biblethe Garden of Gethsemane, Caiaphas' house, judgment before Pilot and Herod, the scourging, the way to Calvary and the crucifixion. Flashbacks during these events include other Biblical events such as the Sermon on the Mount and the Last Supper. The opening scene in Gethsemane is crucial; a snake issues from Satan and is decisively stomped on by Christ, a reference to Genesis 3:15.
The film surely links Christ's death with Old Testament prophecy; it opens with Isaiah 53:5 on the screen as a prologue. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." A Jewish Passover reference is found in a conversation between Mary (Jesus' mother) and Mary Magdalene. "Why is this night different than all others?"
Nowhere does the film ever indicate that Christ is other than the Son of God in flesh. The film clearly teaches that Christ is paying the full guilt for all mankind's sins. This is personalized by Mel Gibson in the crucifixion scene; the hand that holds the spike is his. John 19:30 ("It is accomplished.") climaxes the crucifixion. The resurrection is clearly portrayed, although further expansive teaching is absent. Grave clothes are seen collapsing, and the resurrected Christ, with a restored body but scars from the nails, emerges from the tomb.
Although it gives no clear personal invitation for salvation, The Passion contains both the deity of Christ and His resurrection, fulfilling the irreducible minimum of salvation truth as required by Romans 10:9 & 10. Even with controversy, the message of the Cross can be effectively shared in less than ideal situations as Paul said in Philippians1:1519. "Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."
The emotional and spiritual impact of the film is enormous. I found that it takes several days to fully digest. If a viewer can build on the physical sufferings to appreciate Christ's spiritual sufferings for eternal sin, this movie experience is epic indeed. While I hesitate to recommend that every Christian see this movie, especially if there are scruples against attendance at movies, I in no way feel a person would be doctrinally corrupted if he did. Since it does contain graphic violence, I wouldn't recommend it for young teens unless they are emotionally and spiritually mature. It's not appropriate for children. After millions of dollars in receipts, however, the video and DVD versions can't be far behind if one prefers a more private viewing.
We should pray that curiosity on the part of the unsaved and outreach and follow-up evangelism by believers will lead to conversions to Jesus Christcrucified, risen, ascended, ruling and coming again.
P.O. Box 10, Towaco, New Jersey 07082
 | ||||||
| ||||||
Home I Broadcasts I Ministries I Radio Log I Resources I Meetings I Newspoint I Commentary I News I Itinerary
The Scourging and Crucifixion of Christ
Review Of The Passion Of the Christ
