To See or Not to See

Introduction: The Cultural Context of 'The Passion of the Christ'

0:00 You're filled in pretty well, good, so that I can have good eye contact with you because much of the time my eyes will be glued to various pieces of paper because I want everything that I say this morning to be such that it could be validated in footnotes were this a written rather than an oral presentation. The matters are of such crucial importance that accuracy must take precedence even over rhetorical comfortability. And I feel much more comfortable when I'm engaging your eyeballs, but accuracy is of the essence of importance this morning. There will be some handouts to which I will be making further reference. Make sure that you get a packet of those handouts. This coming Wednesday, Ash Wednesday in the Roman Catholic...

0:54 Church calendar, in approximately 3,500 theaters across our nation, there will be a showing of Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ. And by way of an aside, that number of theaters is the number that was reached when the films Finding Nemo and The Return of the King were at their peak showing, 3,500 theaters. For many weeks, magazine articles, newspaper columns, TV interviews, Internet websites have discussed and debated both the virtues and the potential vices of this film, which, as most of you now know, is a two-hour graphic, brutal, shocking attempt to visually capture the last 12 hours of our Lord's experience culminating in His death, upon the cross. Michael Medved, the nationally known film critic, columnist, and radio broadcaster, has stated regarding this film, and I quote, it will draw eager audiences and become a box office hit.

2:12 Due in part to pre-release controversy, the quote, must-see, end quote, factor has reached an almost unprecedented level of intensity, among both committed Christians and the cinematically curious. Mainstream Christian leaders of every denomination will embrace the film as the most artistically ambitious and accomplished treatment of the crucifixion ever committed to film. Some critics and scholars will criticize Gibson for his cinematic and theological choices in shaping the film, but any attempt to boycott or discredit the movie, will inevitably and unquestionably fail. No one who has actually seen the movie, as I have, quoting Medved, a practicing serious Orthodox Jew, would seriously challenge these conclusions. Gibson financed the film on his own precisely due to his determination to realize his own traditionalist Catholic vision of the gospel story without compromise to the sensitivities of privilege. Having been to circles for over fifty years, rigorously Jewish leaders feel wounded that he never consulted them on the script or historical details, but,

Pastoral Guidance: Making a Righteous Decision

3:37 he also left out Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Traditions, end quote from Michael Medved. Some of you have asked your pastors to give some guidance regarding whether or not you should view this film, film, whether you should encourage members of your family to view it. And what I present to you is just that. It is your pastor's attempt to respond to your request and to set before you the biblical precepts and principles which ought to guide your conscience in making a well-informed and righteous decision for yourself and for your family. I repeat those words. What we as your pastors are attempting to do is to set before you biblical perspectives and principles that ought to help you to make a righteous decision of conscience with respect to this movie. And so I've entitled my lecture, The Passion Movie, To See or Not to See. And I've organized the material under three heads. What else would you

Four Reasons for Thankfulness Regarding the Film

4:55 expect from me? First of all, the first heading is things for which we ought to be thankful in connection with the production of and the widespread interest in and the subsequent showing of this film. And I want to set before you briefly four things for which we ought to be thankful in our hearts and in our minds. And I want to set before you briefly four things for which we ought to be thankful in our hearts and thankful to God. Number one, we can be thankful that the historical events central to the gospel of Christ have become the subject of national awareness, widespread discourse, and public engagement. Since the cross of Christ is central to the Christian message, as Paul said, I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him, as crucified, 1 Corinthians chapter 2, we as the people of God ought to be thankful that those historical events, namely His passion, are now a subject of widespread discussion and public

6:05 discourse. Frankly, this is much better than the widespread discourse and public discussion about Janet Jackson's bared breast at the Super Bowl several weeks ago. And about A-Rod's coming to the Yankees. Thank God that people are talking about something of worth.

6:26 Secondly, we can and ought to be thankful to God that Mel Gibson has determined to produce a film, and here listen carefully, that for the most part seeks to reproduce the biblical narrative concerning the arrest, trial, and execution of Jesus with a good measure, of literary integrity. The words are qualified, for the most part, and with a good measure. And the implication of those words will be flushed out later. He has resisted the pressure of political correctness. He has resisted the pressure of historical deconstructionism that would rewrite the gospel records, that would completely alleviate any thought that the Jews had any special relationship, and that is the kind of responsibility in the crucifixion of our Lord. I have watched his interview with Diane Sawyer, and his manly determination to do what he felt was right was refreshing in a wimpish age. In fact, I find myself tremendously drawn to the man after watching his interview with Diane Sawyer because he has testosterone in his blood, and it's lovely to see a man who acts like a man, and in his presence,

7:48 And in his manliness, he has determined not to be bullied from his vision and his desire with respect to this movie. And as a result, for the most part, there is a good measure of literary integrity in handling the gospel records. Thirdly, we can be thankful that this film has forced serious disciples of Christ, the people sitting here, to wrestle with critical issues that are central to an uncompromising, comprehensive obedience to the Word of God. A true disciple of Christ is committed to an uncompromising, comprehensive obedience to the Word of God. He has determined that in every area of his life, the Word of God will govern his steps. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway, not the fact that something has become a must-see. That counts for nothing for a true child of God.

8:56 The child of God is not pressured by the must-see climate created in society and by clever marketing techniques, but he is pressured by... ...by his Bible to do what is pleasing to his Lord.

9:10 The very fact that this time has taken, that I've spent many hours, your elders have spent many hours, wrestling with biblical issues is a good thing. Fourthly, we can be thankful that this film will afford Christians some unusual opportunities to speak to unsaved associates regarding the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving work. For example, when I went to pick up...

9:36 ...pick up some medication yesterday at my pharmacist, who is a Middle Eastern man, I believe an Eastern Orthodox, he asked me, as he was giving me my medication, are you going to see the movie?

9:49 He didn't even give the title to it, because it is so much the part of discussion to which I responded, I mean, for good reasons, I'm not going. Tomorrow morning in our Bible class, I will be laying out some biblical perspectives that will...

10:06 ...indicate why I cannot, with good conscience, go, perhaps within a short time, we'll have opportunity, when no one else is around, to talk about the matter.

10:17 So the door is wide open for further opportunity to witness to this man to whom I have had wonderful opportunities to speak, at least in general terms, of my Christian faith. So, since we believe that this is God's world, governed by His sovereign will and providence, ...we might...

10:36 ...we might...

10:36 ...we must look upon this reality as something that is an outworking and a manifestation of the sovereign decree of God, by which He governs all men and their actions according to His sovereign will.

The Foundational Biblical Issues for Consideration

10:51 So those are four things for which we can give thanks. Now, the second heading and the bulk of my material will be gathered under this concern. The foundational biblical issues which ought to be serious...

11:06 ...seriously considered in deciding whether or not to see this movie or to encourage others to see it.

11:16 The foundational, not emotional, psychological, societal, no, the foundational biblical issues which ought, not which it would be good to if you choose. You're a Christian. You claim to have a conscience bound by the Word of God. These are foundational biblical issues which ought to be seriously considered in deciding whether or not to see this movie or to encourage others to see it.

11:50 And I trust that your prayer will be that three-fold prayer that I mentioned last Lord's Day. Where I am ignorant, Lord, teach me. Where I am wrong, Lord, correct me. Where I am right, Lord, confirm me.

12:06 And I'm not so naive as to think that everyone sits here with a neutral attitude. For some of you, you're waiting for me to be your champ. Because you've already been persuaded what you ought to do, and you're persuaded you shouldn't go and no one else should. And you're waiting for me to be your champion.

12:25 For others of you, you're fearful I'm going to be your chump. Because I'm going to discourage you from attending this movie. Well, dear friends, I have no desire to be champion or chump. I'm a minister of the word of God.

12:39 You are professed disciples of Christ. And my one desire is to set before you the will of your master as revealed in the scriptures. Tighten your seatbelt then as I seek to lay before you what is a conflation of the input of my fellow elders. Many man hours have been spent in bringing these things together.

13:02 And these, we as your pastors believe, are the... Foundational biblical issues which ought to be seriously considered by you before you ever plunk down your dollars at the theater.

Issue 1: The Film's Inconsistent Emphasis on Physical vs. Spiritual Suffering

13:17 Whether this Wednesday or Thursday or Friday or 50 years from now. Number one. The film's dominant preoccupation with the physical brutality of the sufferings of Jesus is inconsistent with the Bible's emphasis upon the reality...

13:37 and dominant nature of his spiritual sufferings. The film's dominant preoccupation with the physical brutality of the sufferings of Jesus is inconsistent with the Bible's emphasis upon the reality and dominant nature of his spiritual sufferings. Mr. Gibson has said, in a number of relationships and interviews, that this film is meant to shock.

14:13 It is intentionally unabashedly brutal. Not only are the biblical narratives carried out in visual representations, but even additional acts of brutality that are not at all mentioned in the scriptures. And I could document that statement. However, However, when we open our Bibles, there is a modest restraint with respect to the details of his physical suffering.

14:46 For example, in Matthew's account, we read these words.

14:52 When he has been judged and sentenced, Matthew records in Matthew chapter 27, verse 26, Then released he unto them Barabbas. But Jesus, he scourged, and delivered to be crucified. As the Holy Spirit has embalmed in ink from the pen of Matthew, originally in Greek, what he wants us to know about the sufferings of Christ, he says he delivered Jesus to be scourged. That's it.

15:33 No gruesome details, no gory specifics, no beholding him, lash after lash, after lash, after lash, after lash, and the blood spurting out from his back. Jesus, he scourged. Then we read on, verse chapter, verse 33 to 35. And when they were come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, the place of a skull, they gave him wine to drink, mingled with gall, and when he had tasted, he would not drink.

16:07 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lot, and they sat and watched him there. Scourged him, crucified him. A modest restraint with respect to the depiction of his physical sufferings. However, when we turn to the biblical record with regard to the sufferings of his soul, beginning in Gethsemane, God gives us unusual details.

16:41 In both Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he begins to be sore troubled, and he says to his disciples, now is my soul troubled. And he falls repeatedly upon the ground, and he comes back to the disciples, could you not watch with me? And he staggers again, and comes back to them again, and then Luke gives us this unusual detail in Luke 22, 44, and he sweat as it were, great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. The first mention, of his blood in an explicit way, is not, has anything to do with any physical sufferings.

17:18 No one has laid a hand on him. Not a one. No wound has been opened. It's the suffering of his soul.

17:28 Now is my soul exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. And likewise, with the ongoing account of the crucifixion, there is no record, that our Lord cries out, under any of the horrors of the physical abuse. But it is at the end of the three hours, when he has plunged into darkness, and in his soul is drinking in, the dereliction, the abandonment, the forsakenness of God, that he cries out, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? That is, it was transactions within the triune Godhead, that was the soul of his sufferings, not that which was laid upon him by men. Now I am not discounting the horror, the brutality of his physical sufferings, but what I am saying is, this film gives undue emphasis, upon the physical sufferings of Christ, and is inconsistent with the Bible's emphasis, upon the reality, and dominant nature, of his spiritual sufferings. Those sufferings that are described for us, in the language of 2 Corinthians 5.21, He, God, made him who knew no sin,

18:54 to be sin for us. Galatians 3.13, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us. In the language of the hymn we sing, but the deepest stroke that he bore, was the stroke that justice gave.

Issue 2: The Film's Unwarranted Reenactment of Christ's Death

19:12 And any Christian, jealous for God's emphases, with regard to the suffering of his Lord, has to ask the question, do I want to subject my mind, and the walls of memory, to a film which has an emphasis, utterly inconsistent with the emphasis of my Bible, with respect to the nature, of the sufferings of my Lord? That's a question you need to ask. Secondly, the film's detailed depiction of the death of Jesus, is an unwarranted reenactment, and representation of his death. The film's detailed depiction of the death of Jesus, is an unwarranted reenactment, and representation of his death. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus himself gave us a physical, visible means of representing his death. Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you. After supper he took the cup, saying, this is my blood of the new covenant, this do in remembrance of me.

20:38 He did not give any directive, that someone should go with a charcoal pen and pencil, and capture visually, the details of his death. He says, I will give you, the means of remembering me, as your savior crucified for you. And when we come to 1 Corinthians 11 and verse 23, Paul says, I delivered unto you, that which I received, from the Lord Jesus himself, that the same night in which he was betrayed, took breath, and when he is broken, et cetera. You know the words well.

21:15 And this film, with its detailed depiction of the death of Jesus, constitutes an unwarranted reenactment, and representation of his death. When the Lord Jesus has given the one, visual, physical, representation of his death, as the synod of Constantinople, in 753 decreed, the only admissible figure of the humanity of Christ, however, is bread and wine in the holy supper. This and no other form, this and no other type, has he chosen, to represent his incarnation. And it is not without significance, that this detailed depiction, of the gruesome details, and reenactment, and representation, and representation of our Lord's death, is in the mind of its very devout Catholic director, Mr. Gibson, a parallel to the reenactment of the death of Christ, in the blasphemous action of the mass. Listen to Mr. Gibson's own word.

22:27 Quote, It is crucial to realize, that the images and language, at the heart of the passion of Christ, flow directly out of Gibson's, I'm sorry, this is not quote, personal dedication to Catholicism, in one of its most traditional and mysterious forms, the 16th century, the Tridentine, the form of the mass, established in the Council of Trent, the 16th century Latin mass. Quote, I do not go to any other services, Gibson told the Eternal Word Television Network, that's the Roman Catholic Conservative Television Network, quote, I go to the old Tridentine rite, that's the way I first saw it, when I was a kid. So I think that informs one's understanding, of how to transcend language. Now initially, I didn't understand the Latin, but I understood the meaning, and the message, and what they were doing. And according to Tridentine theology, when the...