'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST'

February 2004
		Mel Gibson's controversial movie, "The Passion of the Christ," opened Ash Wednesday to mixed reviews. Two theology professors take your questions on the religious and philosophical questions surrounding the film.

Forum Introduction What viewpoint does the Vatican have on Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich? Why would her book on the Passion be or why should it not be a source for depicting the story on film? I am confused about the movie's depiction of the central idea of Christianity as the crucifixion of Jesus. Do you recognize modern-day movies as the new art form in the 21st century in communicating religious messages/themes and specifically the Christian message? If Mel Gibson is in a conservative movement within Catholism that rejects the reforms of Vatican II, wouldn't it follow that he would reject the declaration of that body that Jews were not responsible for Jesus' death? What evidence would you give that Protestant theology has minimized the crucifixion; and would it therefore follow that Catholic theology has minimized the resurrection? Mel Gibson claims the movie is historically accurate but in actuality, isn't the story of Jesus' crucifixion portrayed in the Gospels? So aren't there 6 or so different versions of the story? Where is he getting his historical evidence? Do you feel comfortable with the artistic license Mel Gibson exercised in the dialogue, and a number of events, not found in the Gospels, both personally and theologically?	Stephen Dill of Theodore, Alabama asks: What evidence would you give that Protestant theology has minimized the crucifixion; and would it therefore follow that Catholic theology has minimized the resurrection? Dr. Robert Johnston responds: Protestants have tended to concentrate on the life and witness of Jesus (the Anabaptists, peace churches, etc) and on the empty tomb. The Good Friday services and Maundy Thursday services are typically small or lacking in Protestant churches. Even when the cross is preached, it is always put into the larger resurrection context. Protestants emphasize Palm Sunday and Easter with little pause during Holy Week. Catholics have the crucifix; Protestants have an empty cross in their iconography. Catholics have the Stations of the Cross on the walls of most of their churches. Protestants do not. When Protestant leaders were shown The Passion in early screenings, they typically wanted "more resurrection." You might also look at Kevin Smith's movie, Dogma, for a humorous riff on this discussion. Dr. Philip Cunningham responds: I think that such generalizations are misleading. There is an enormous diversity in the "Protestant" world, and there have been many different ways of understanding the meaning of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus among Catholics (and let's not forget Eastern Christianity!) over the centuries. Possibly because of the trauma of the Black Death medieval Catholics identified Jesus' sufferings with their own. In other words, reflecting on Jesus' passion met a pastoral need. That focus persists among certain strands of Catholic piety (including Mel Gibson's), but overall there is much greater emphasis among Catholics today on the new life of Christ's resurrection.