randy@crosstalk.org

www.Crosstalk.org

Like many Americans, I tuned into the controversy over Mel Gibson’s film about the Passion. Prior to the film’s commercial release, I was concerned about the growing cadre of critics from the secular media and vocal opposition from the Jewish community. Yet I was particularly struck by the poignant support given by Paul Harvey and Focus on the Family. Many noteworthy Christians provided what seemed to be brilliant responses. But were they well informed?

Permit me to recount one exciting early result of the publicity. It happened on January 28, nearly a month before the film debut. Having heard one of my weekly CrossTalk radio programs, a Jewish man sent me a question. He had heard the accusations that the Passion film was anti-Semitic. It caused him to reflect deeply about core issues. He wrote to me with a frank question. I responded with a candid response. You may find the answer to be of interest as it set the pace for meaningful dialogue.

I told him that I had not seen the film so it would not be honest of me to comment about specifics. I informed him that I was scheduled to screen the film at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in mid-February prior to the release. My answer was as follows: 

“From what I have learned about the film, it is faithful to the biblical narrative.  Some people will therefore be offended.  It is probably a graphic, violent portrayal of the death of Jesus.  This cannot be accurately portrayed without ignoring the text of the Gospel.

As to those who claim it is inflammatory and an anti-Semitic presentation, I would simply suggest that those who read the Gospels with understanding realize the truth.  Jesus was not killed by the Jews.  He was executed under Roman authority.  There was a conspiracy of a small group of Jewish religious leaders involved in the arrest, trial and conviction of Jesus.

However, Jesus willingly gave His life.  Nobody took it from Him. Finally, if they wish to blame the Jews, I suggest it appropriate to BLAME ONE JEW.  IT WAS ME--I DID IT!  Jesus died for my sins.  He was nailed to a Roman cross by Roman soldiers to pay for the crimes I committed.

I do hope you understand what this means.  In fact, I hope that someday 

soon, they will be able to blame 2 Jews--me and you.  You see, unless Jesus pays for your sin debt, you will be required to pay it yourself.  I am praying that you will choose to accept Jesus as your Lord and then you will also receive Him as your Savior.

It is a truly wonderful thing and will be the greatest blessing of your 

life.  Will you pray about this important issue? Shalom!” 

The next day, January 29, 2004, I received one of those stirring e-mails from someone who had been to an early screening. I forwarded the message to my new Jewish friend who had apparently been reflecting on the call to Christ I had submitted to him in the initial response.

Without any further conversation, he willingly had gone to a nearby church that had earlier shown an interest in him. My new Jewish friend accepted Jesus as His personal Savior!

The film had done its job without ever being seen by either of us. God wanted to reach this young Jewish man and he used an action hero superstar with mega-millions to make a movie in dead languages with subtitles. Go figure?

Why is this relevant? It is urgent for this introduction because it sets the stage for the book that follows. You see, I was touched by the film’s power and presence before I ever viewed it. I was a strong supporter because I had seen the resulting salvation of a Jewish man touched by God. Therefore, two weeks later when I screened the film with a large group of Christian media personalities and broadcasters, I was prepared for the experience promised by all of the touchy-feely e-mails I had read in advance. I wanted to weep and cry. I wanted to have the spiritual experience that so many others had enjoyed.

It didn’t happen that way for me. It is true that the entire auditorium left in awe and silence. It is true that everyone was touched. However, what I experienced was different from the rest.

Immediately, broadcasters and media people began quizzing me about the film. Many of them knew that I was a Jewish believer. Many knew that I had studied Jewish-Christian relations. Many knew that my academic focus was on Jewish Studies with an interest in Church history. None saw the film as problematic. It seemed no one could understand why Jewish people might believe it could be a cause to incite anti-Jewish emotions. Perhaps if they were Jewish they might have had a different view. I guess that is why so many wanted my opinion.

I was stunned by questions from Israelis. I was inundated with questions from TV & radio people. I was shocked at the flurry of activity and awed by the mass of media exposure before the film was ever released. We had all agreed NOT to discuss the film by the distributor prior to the commercial release. Yet I was immediately flooded with questions from the same people who had just watched the same showing. These are the basic inquiries that followed:

• Did I enjoy the film?
• Did I believe it was too violent?
• Did I believe it was faithful to the Bible?
• Did I believe it was anti-Semitic?
• What impact did I believe it would have?

Well, I was instructed not to publicly discuss the film at that time. That time has passed. I feel that God had prepared me to watch the film, as well as to comment on the presentation. Some have suggested that I might be uniquely prepared for this task. Clearly, I do have passionate views about the movie and the topic of the Gibson’s presentation as it relates to Jewish people. I will also explain why I some assume I am qualified to comment.

More than a decade before the film, the Passion was the topic of my doctoral dissertation. During my post-graduate university studies, I spent many, many months documenting the anti-Semitic influences that various passion play presentations have had on Jews. I researched the recurring problems throughout Christian history relevant to the Passion drama from the early centuries of the Church all the way through Oberammergau, Eureka Springs, and various Hollywood presentations, such as Ben Hur and Jesus Christ Superstar. Then during the last 10 years, I have been active in Christian media. In addition to researching and writing for Christian television and radio, I also produce and host the weekly national TV program—CrossTalk.

Did I enjoy the film? That is a complex question. I loved the film and I hated the film.

Did I believe it was too violent? Of course. How can anyone view the film and feel anything else. But the violence was not gratuitous. It was necessary to tell the story. The suffering of Jesus cannot be overstated!

Did I believe it was faithful to the Bible? In most instances it was. It also was errant in several cases—Jesus was celebrating the Passover. This was the festival of Unleavened Bread. Why did Gibson serve Jesus and the disciples what looked like a plate of bread instead of matzo? Nevertheless, I don’t care about minutiae. There are much larger concerns at issue!

I have written a book about the subject entitled, “PASSOVER & THE PASSION CONSPIRACY.” With God’s help, I hope to find a few folks that will help me get it published. My goal is to freely give it to anyone that is interested in being better equipped to engage in the current flurry of discussion. I was in studio yesterday producing a 20 part series of radio programs with a large evangelistic ministry. It is the topic of the day, as well it should be.

This could be a watershed moment. The Gospel is being taken to the streets, taverns, bowling alleys, and coffeshops—where it belongs! Let me encourage every believer to see the film and be prepared with an answer for our faith.

Every viewer is now familiar with what Jesus endured because of His love for sinners. It should elicit a spirit of thankfulness within each beneficiary of His Passion for us. How then shall we respond to such a great love?

Copyright 2004 by Randy Weiss, Ph.D.