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IN A PASSION
Mel Gibson, one of the most well-known and beloved of film actors and directors, has created an emotional brouhaha with his latest and perhaps greatest production, "The Passion", set to be released in April 2004. The graphically visual account of the last 12 hours of Jesus life, his suffering and death, promises to give audiences a new appreciation for what it cost Christ when he "bare our sins in his own body on the tree," (1 Peter 2:24). While many Christians are excited to see how the film will turn out, some Jewish groups are concerned about the full impact the movie will have.
The Passion originally stirred both interest and criticism when it was announced that the movie would not be done in English, but that all the characters would speak either Latin or Aramaic. Now, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has attacked the film, accusing it of being anti-Semitic and of promoting the idea that the Jews were responsible for Jesus' death. They argue that the film will result in violence against Jews. Because of this controversy, 20th Century Fox has already said they will not distribute the film and Gibson's company Icon Productions is seeking another distributor.
However, the ADL started making its attacks on the film before its representatives had seen the movie. Gibson has made efforts to make sure the movie spreads out the responsibility for Jesus' death, and focuses on "good guys" among the Jews, such as Joseph of Arimathea. Yet, the ADL has not softened their attack.
Others have given the movie stellar reviews. "For minutes after the film ended, the audience at the showing I attended did not speak or move," writes Michael Novak in The Weekly Standard. "We felt part of an indescribably important human moment. We had been drawn into an axial point of silence and wonder." Novak is empathetic to the discomfort Jews have about the movie, but saw nothing anti-Semitic in its approach. The movie, he said, gave the final responsibility for Jesus' death to Pilate, and its vicious brutality to the Roman soldiers. Utimately, the responsibility for Jesus' death rests on us all.
Mel Gibson has made it clear that he wants to tell about the passion of Jesus and has no desire to portray the Jews in a bad light. The Passion website states, "Mel abhors anti-Semitism. In no way does his faith endorse hatred or bigotry or anti-Semitism or blame the Jews for the death of Christ." In the New Testament, the Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to the Roman authorities to be crucified. Yet, Jesus - the hero - was himself Jewish. The disciples of Jesus were Jewish. Unfortunately, the ADL has given the impression that they are simply against the message of Jesus' death and resurrection - the central message of Christianity - and are therefore anti-Christian. While the film itself may not foster anti-Semitism, it may foster irritation with the ADL.
God told Abraham that through him all the nations of the world would be blessed, and God has fulfilled that promise repeatedly. Through the children of Israel, the world has been given the Word of God, which is the key to truly coming to know and understand who God is and how He desires to be worshiped. If God had not spoken through Moses and the prophets, the world would have no hope! Beyond the Bible, Christians praise God for the most precious gift He gave through the Jews. God gave the completeness of His Word through His Son. He gave the ultimate Passover lamb. He gave salvation. Salvation is of the Jews, Jesus said in John 4:22.
Christians should be the first to defend the people that God has so richly used to bless the entire world, and evangelical Christians have been one of the strongest group of supporters for the state of Israel, considering the Jews the "apple of God's eye." Jews may feel intimidated by a film that portrays the suffering and victory of Jesus, but Christians view it is as a powerful expression of The Good News.
This controversial movie creates an opportunity to cause division between Christians and Jews or to encourage communication and dialogue that fosters understanding. The best thing both sides can do is to focus on the intended message of the film, and remember the great blessings that God has given the world through the Jewish people
IN A PASSION
Mel Gibson, one of the most well-known and beloved of film actors and directors, has created an emotional brouhaha with his latest and perhaps greatest production, "The Passion", set to be released in April 2004. The graphically visual account of the last 12 hours of Jesus life, his suffering and death, promises to give audiences a new appreciation for what it cost Christ when he "bare our sins in his own body on the tree," (1 Peter 2:24). While many Christians are excited to see how the film will turn out, some Jewish groups are concerned about the full impact the movie will have.
The Passion originally stirred both interest and criticism when it was announced that the movie would not be done in English, but that all the characters would speak either Latin or Aramaic. Now, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has attacked the film, accusing it of being anti-Semitic and of promoting the idea that the Jews were responsible for Jesus' death. They argue that the film will result in violence against Jews. Because of this controversy, 20th Century Fox has already said they will not distribute the film and Gibson's company Icon Productions is seeking another distributor.
However, the ADL started making its attacks on the film before its representatives had seen the movie. Gibson has made efforts to make sure the movie spreads out the responsibility for Jesus' death, and focuses on "good guys" among the Jews, such as Joseph of Arimathea. Yet, the ADL has not softened their attack.
Others have given the movie stellar reviews. "For minutes after the film ended, the audience at the showing I attended did not speak or move," writes Michael Novak in The Weekly Standard. "We felt part of an indescribably important human moment. We had been drawn into an axial point of silence and wonder." Novak is empathetic to the discomfort Jews have about the movie, but saw nothing anti-Semitic in its approach. The movie, he said, gave the final responsibility for Jesus' death to Pilate, and its vicious brutality to the Roman soldiers. Utimately, the responsibility for Jesus' death rests on us all.
Mel Gibson has made it clear that he wants to tell about the passion of Jesus and has no desire to portray the Jews in a bad light. The Passion website states, "Mel abhors anti-Semitism. In no way does his faith endorse hatred or bigotry or anti-Semitism or blame the Jews for the death of Christ." In the New Testament, the Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to the Roman authorities to be crucified. Yet, Jesus - the hero - was himself Jewish. The disciples of Jesus were Jewish. Unfortunately, the ADL has given the impression that they are simply against the message of Jesus' death and resurrection - the central message of Christianity - and are therefore anti-Christian. While the film itself may not foster anti-Semitism, it may foster irritation with the ADL.
God told Abraham that through him all the nations of the world would be blessed, and God has fulfilled that promise repeatedly. Through the children of Israel, the world has been given the Word of God, which is the key to truly coming to know and understand who God is and how He desires to be worshiped. If God had not spoken through Moses and the prophets, the world would have no hope! Beyond the Bible, Christians praise God for the most precious gift He gave through the Jews. God gave the completeness of His Word through His Son. He gave the ultimate Passover lamb. He gave salvation. Salvation is of the Jews, Jesus said in John 4:22.
Christians should be the first to defend the people that God has so richly used to bless the entire world, and evangelical Christians have been one of the strongest group of supporters for the state of Israel, considering the Jews the "apple of God's eye." Jews may feel intimidated by a film that portrays the suffering and victory of Jesus, but Christians view it is as a powerful expression of The Good News.
This controversial movie creates an opportunity to cause division between Christians and Jews or to encourage communication and dialogue that fosters understanding. The best thing both sides can do is to focus on the intended message of the film, and remember the great blessings that God has given the world through the Jewish people
