Commentary; Posted: 11/2/04

The Passion of the Christólooking back

Rev. John C. Blackford
Religion Columnist

Last February Mel Gibsonís film, ìThe Passion of the Christ,î depicting the last hours of Jesusí life and the brutality of his death by crucifixion, was released through theaters throughout the nation.

Because the consensus of filmmakers was that it would be a box office failure, Gibson was not able to get financial backing. Believing in the importance of his project, he paid the $25 million cost of production from his own funds.

Without a large advertising budget, Gibson found his initial promotional support in American churches of many denominations. Early coolness by the media became media fascination as editors began to respond to the strong interest ofthe public in ìThe Passion.î

By Easter millions had viewed the 120 minute film and tributes such as ìrewriting box office historyî and ìthe most successful religious picture of all timeî were given.

When the president of the box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said it was a ìreligious experience for many people,î he was describing Gibsonís main reason for making the film.

The Rev. Franklin Graham declared that while moral issues are being debated, ìmany people are also talking about the person of the Christ following the debut of Gibsonís movie ìThe Passion of the Christ.î This hugely successful film has brought the work of Christís sacrifice on the cross into the public conscience as never before.î

After seeing an advance screening the Rev. John Piper, pastor of a Minneapolis church, took a two weekís leave of absence and wrote ìThe Passion of Jesus Christ.î

In it he told of the deeper meaning and significance of the cross, showing the wrath of a holy God against sin, but lifting up Godís great love for sinners. Jesus Christ thus is the greatest object lesson in history. About two million copies of his book have been distributed.

According to the Barna group of Ventura, CA, ìThe Passionî has been seen by 67 million adults, about a third of all adults in the United States, and has grossed $607 million worldwide. It is the highest grossing picture of all time. DVD and video versions came out in August, and so these figures can be expected to rise. Barnaís survey of 1618 adults found that 13 million adults (18 percent of those who saw it) altered their religious behavior, and 11 million (16 percent) changed religious beliefs after seeing the movie. He said changed behavior increased church attendance, praying more often or involvement in church related activities. Changed beliefs involved becoming more concerned for others, implications of ìlife choices or personal behaviorî and an increased ìappreciationî for Jesusí death.

Less than one tenth of 1 percent of movie goers (about 67,000) became Christians after seeing the film, and less than one half of 1 percent (335,000) were motivated to share their Christian faith, according to Barnaís research.

ìThat does not negate the power of the movie or the value of the message it sent,î Barna said, ìbut it does remind us that a single effort that is not adequately reinforced is not likely to make a lasting impression.î

Not everyone praised the film and its message. Critics contend there is too great an emphasis on the brutality and suffering of Christís crucifixion. (The film received an R rating for violence).

An in-depth study of Old and New Testament passages indicates it was probably even worse than shown. Yet, these same critics seem to have little of no problems with the violent content of many other films. On the charge that it promoted Anti-Semitism (blaming the Jews for the crucifixion), among those polled by a San Francisco Jewish research institute 83 percent of those who had seen or knew about the film said it had no such effect.

Only 2 percent said the movie made them more likely to blame Jews, while 9 percent said it made them less likely to hold Jews responsible. Some pointed to the fact that only 75 seconds were devoted to the resurrection of Jesus; however, the theme of ìThe Passionî was the last hours of the Saviorís life and his death. (Perhaps there will be a sequel about Jesusí rising from the dead.)

Other critical voices included that of Andy Rooney of CBSí ì60 Minutesî who called Mel Gibson ìa real nut caseî and on the Don Imus show admitted he had not seen the picture and didnít plan to see it. ìI donít want to pay $9 for a few laughs.î Whatever critics think about the film, most do not think it a laughing matter. Frank Reilly, a self styled Catholic theologian from St. Paul, used the picture and its emphasis on suffering and self denial to criticize Catholic Church leaders for calling the laity to suffer even death for their faith, for its teachings on gay issues, and Pope John Paul for ìstifling disagreement in the Church.î The four biggest TV networks have given a cool reception to showing ìThe Passion.î

The reception given to his film classic prove Gibsonís faith in conceiving and producing ìThe Passion of the Christî has been vindicated.

Not only was it viewed by millions and a financial success, but it has had a profound effect on a great host of people. A DVD now is available (widescreen or fullscreen) and so many more people will be able to benefit from its message.

Whatever you may think about ìThe Passion of the Christ,î you will want to consider seeing it.

Acknowledgements: Articles in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the American Family Association Magazine.

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