Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

The Passion of the Christ Column for the weeks of February 29 - March 13, 2004

archives |

printer-friendly version

Producer/Director Mel Gibson may have accomplished what no other has ever done. He got America to see a movie with subtitles. As The Passion of the Christ (dialogue is in Aramaic and Latin) opened to sell out crowds this week, the controversial movie seems to leave audiences either “passionately” for it or “passionately” against it. There is no middle road.

Usually films about Christ (The Life of Brian, The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus Christ Superstar, etc.) incense the Christian sector and have the backing of Hollywood for creativity if for nothing else. The Passion of the Christ has done the opposite. Not that it doesn’t have its share of creative license. Although Gibson tries to stay true to scripture in recounting the last twelve hours of Christ’s life, there is still plenty of symbolism to figure out. I’m still a little ticked that Satan is played by a woman.:) Haven’t women endured enough with Eve being blamed for the fall of man? And I’m still waiting for some interview to explain the baby/midget and the demonic children. Not that I haven’t seen my share of children that give that impression. But I think the main point of the movie is to show that Jesus willingly (Hebrews 12:2) was beaten beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14) and died for our sins.

It should come as no surprise that anything concerning Jesus Christ is bathed in controversy. It has always been so. His whole existence was and is controversial…his birth, his life, his teachings, his death, his resurrection. People were looking for a Messiah but got a baby. Herod feared him. Magi revered him. He ate with sinners. He turned water into wine. He treated women with respect and dignity. He spoke in parables. He taught love. He healed on the Sabbath. He washed the feet of the disciples. He told his followers to eat his body and drink his blood. He was falsely accused. He was crucified. He died for our sins. He was resurrected. These were all controversial issues. Therefore, he was hated during his life. Therefore, he was loved during his life. He’s been hated or loved ever since.

Major criticism seems to come from the Jewish community, feeling the movie will stir up anti-Semitic feelings. The truth of the matter is that quite possibly more Jews loved Jesus than were instrumental in his death. His disciples were Jews, his family was Jewish, and his followers were Jews. If hatred is to be had it should be for the religious leaders of the day (Sanhedrin) who accused him and the Romans who crucified him. To blame today’s Jewish community for Jesus’ death would be like blaming Italians for his crucifixion, or to be put in more modern terms, to blame all Germans for the Holocaust. History shouldn’t be rewritten just to be politically correct for today’s society, nor should it be used to foster hatred. People who wish to hate, unfortunately, will always find a way to do so.

Other criticism is that the movie doesn’t focus on Jesus’ life or teachings, and very little on the resurrection but then that wasn’t Gibson’s intent. He focused on what seemed to hold the most meaning for him. Let’s not forget. It was his money and his movie.

Most of the Christian community hopped on the bandwagon hoping The Passion of the Christ will lead sinners by the droves to repentance. They might be disappointed. The unchurched may marvel at how one could endure so much suffering without fighting back or lashing out but little is said about what Jesus actually stood for, except perhaps in the occasional flashback which could prove more confusing than enlightening for those without a biblical background. The best approach may be just to pray that God lead those to this movie who can most benefit from it.

I’m not sure how many will want the video/DVD when it comes out. Watching two hours of Christ being beaten to a literal pulp isn’t the type of thing people will want to see again and again. At least I hope not. I wouldn’t want anything to desensitize us to the actual sacrifice Jesus made for mankind and more specifically…for you and me. (John 3:16-17)

Be sure to visit this page every week to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.