Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ” has triggered a number of quite different responses. The film focuses on Jesus’ twelve hours before his death, climaxing in his crucifixion. Languages used are Latin and Aramaic. Subtitles are in English or other modern languages. The film is unique insofar that it has reached places where Christian films normally are not shown. Those who watch it are moved, shocked, and oftentimes in tears. The film has been called the most realistic production dealing with the suffering and death of Jesus. Mel Gibson is a devout Catholic who has built a three million dollar church in which the worship service follows the old and traditional Tridentine rite with Latin as the language used in the mass.¹

But even within Christianity the production has not remained undisputed and unchallenged. Billy Graham supposedly said that he was “moved to tears”, and added “I doubt if there has been a more graphic and moving presentation of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which Christians believe are the most important events in human history.”²

Pope John Paul II blessed Jim Caviezel, the Roman Catholic actor who played Jesus, and the Vatican rejected criticism that the film contains latent antisemitism.³

A webpage suggests: “Mel Gibson’s artistic masterpiece restores the lost dimension of the suffering of the Christ in a very graphic manner . . . For centuries the Protestants have taken pride in presenting an empty cross, emphasizing the resurrected Christ over the passion of Christ. In fact, several Protestant groups have discounted the observance of Good Friday (the day for remembering the Lord’s death) and emphasized Easter Sunday (the day remembering the resurrection of Christ from the grave). Historically, much of the Protestant church has de-emphasized the use of images altogether. Of all the denominations of Christianity the Roman Catholic Church has done the best job of preserving the passion of Christ within its art. It is out of this rich tradition Mel Gibson comes.” Mel Gibson’s film is called “God’s instrument.”⁴

On the other hand, the Protestant Church in Germany does not recommend the film. The church criticizes that the film lacks in theological depth, is characterized by brutality, and puts the emphasis on the physical suffering of Jesus.⁵

The Roman Catholic New Testament scholar R. Zwick denounces the film as “old wine in the new hoses-force, horror and splatter cinema.” He states that the film focuses on the passion of Jesus only and neglects the importance of Jesus’ proclamation and works. Furthermore, it resembles a work of Clemens Brentano, of the 19th century, in which the author summarized the mystic sufferings of the nun Anna Katharina Emmerick.⁶ A number of Adventists, including a local conference, have also commented on the film.⁷

The main points of criticism found in the present literature are:

1. The film connects the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist/mass with a Catholic understanding of Christ’s suffering. Mel Gibson himself commented on the continuous non-bloody sacrifice of Jesus in the Eucharist as a “real representation” or realization of his suffering.⁸ The film shows what the Eucharist is all about.

2. The film contains a number of historical inaccuracies, even errors. For example, Satan occurs in visual form.

3. It highlights the role of Mary and portrays her in many scenes and to an extent far beyond the biblical picture of Mary.

4. It is characterized by relentless brutality. Therefore, the film is rated R which means that it should not be viewed by audiences under 17 years of age if not accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian.

5. The film may contain traces of antisemitism.⁹

Clearly the film places the emphasis on the physical suffering of Jesus. Adventists do not deny this bodily aspect and the horrible physical pain Christ suffered, but they stress even more the spiritual nature of his suffering. Interestingly the Gospels do not go into detail describing Christ’s torture and his physical pain when he died on the cross. The question is, should we?

Ellen G. White in commenting on the suffering of Christ declared: “With amazement the angels beheld the infinite love of Jesus, who, suffering the most intense agony of mind and body, thought only of others, and encouraged the penitent soul to believe. . . Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. . . The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin . . . filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt. . . It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God. . . In the thick darkness, God veiled the last human agony of His Son.”¹⁰

What should be done? Christian publishing houses including our own are offering literature on the life and passion of Jesus. Some can be contacted with questions of a spiritual nature. Adventist pastors have begun to conduct seminars and evangelistic campaigns dealing in a more balanced and in a biblical way with the importance of Jesus’ life and death and our salvation. This is a helpful approach. People may be open to hear more about Jesus today. Let’s use our chances!