There’s been quite a bit written on Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.” I saw it on Saturday. This passage from a review by Dr. Frank Sweitek, an associate professor of history at the University of Dallas, depicts some of my thoughts on the movie:
This harsh, gory film cannot help but have visceral power–but whether its effect will be as positive as its maker intends is doubtful. It definitely makes the viewer suffer–but its debatable if by itself thats a truly enlightening contribution to ones understanding of Christs message; youll come out feeling as if youve been flogged yourself, and whether youll consider the experience inspiring or repellent will depend on the faith system you enter with and your capacity for graphic violence.
Susan and I went because our church bought out a theater on Saturday morning. We had planned to return to church for lunch and a discussion afterward.
We just weren’t up for it.
The 20 seconds of the Resurrection? Not quite enough for the 2 hour torture that you must endure along with all the actors (yes, even the Romans).
As we said to each other, the message of Jesus’ life is one of love and hope. Even if you don’t believe in God, you can appreciate the sacrifice this man, and the many men before and after him, made for their beliefs and for others.
If this movie is one man’s expression of his faith, it makes me wonder about this one man.