For a film that hasn’t yet been released, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ has created more popular interest in Jesus, the Church and Christian theology than anything I can remember. Some Christians are calling this movie “perhaps the greatest opportunity” for evangelism in 2000 years. Others are calling it anti-Semitic and gory. What are we to think – and do?
One thing’s for sure: whether you decide the see the movie or not -- and whatever you think of it if and when you do -- people are going to be talking about it, and asking their Christian friends questions. Here are some thoughts for you to consider when they do:
1. Meet people where they are. If someone sees the movie, and says: “I was really moved; is that the way it really happened?” don’t launch into a detailed analysis of the synoptic gospels and the johannine community. Listen to them, and what they’re asking. They probably aren’t looking for a detailed theological answer; they’re probably looking for a conversation about what they’ve experienced.
2. If they are curious about what you think, don’t just do a movie review; tell them your own faith story, and why you love Jesus.
3. If they are troubled by what they see as Anti-Semitism, tell them what all faithful Christians from every tradition believe: Anti-Semitism is a sin, and that there is a positive Christian obligation to fight this sin. Be frank and confessional: Anti-Semitism is often “justified” by the Gospels, and by the Church’s complicity with an interpretation of the Gospels that created hatred for Jewish people. It was a sin then; it is a sin now. The Good News of Jesus is not a condemnation of anyone, and certainly not of his own people: it’s an invitation to new life for us all.
4. If they want to learn more, talk more, or read more, walk with them on that journey. (Maybe they do want to know a detailed analysis of the synoptic gospels and the johannine community!) And if they don't go to church, invite them to yours, where they can experience the living faith of the followers of Jesus the Christ.
There are many resources on the web and in print. Here are a few, especially related to the movie:
"The Passion" Study Guide by the “National Catholic Reporter”’s well-respected Vatican reporter John L Allen. It includes questions for discussion on a varietyof topics and a bibliography:
From “Beliefnet”, a variety of information and links:
Mars Hill Church, Seattle (one of the country’s largest mainly-GenX and Gen Y congregations) has several articles and sermons:
Posted by mbarlowe at February 20, 2004 05:26 PMMichael,
Thank you for an excellent post and your valuable suggestions. Literally one minute after reading your post I received a phone message from a friend who wants me to attend the movie with her so that we can dialogue about the content and its message afterwards. My suspicion is she’ll want to discuss her “experience” of the movie and I imagine she’ll have serious questions about its significance and what it means. I appreciate your advice about “just being” with the person.
Resolution A083 in Minneapolis this summer urges every Episcopalian to be able to articulate his or her faith story and urges dioceses and congregations to create opportunities for these stories to be told. If there was ever an opportunity to articulate our faith stories I suspect now will be the time.
Thanks, Michael. A group of friends and I saw "Passion" recently and we finished with an insightful discussion about the movie, our faith beliefs, and our connections with Christianity. Since then I have heard from other people having similar experiences; in all cases, people made deep connections with their faith and church lives. These small groups are a key to successful congregational development, and it’s a blessing to see them happen at my church.
Posted by: Kathleen Crisp at March 15, 2004 03:56 PM