Could The Passion of the Christ Lead to Religious Revival?

Whatever you think of the movie, Mel Gibson's film on the last 12 hours of Christ's life is having a universal impact. Many people in today's world have little knowledge of the Bible. Could this movie help fill the gap and turn people to Jesus Christ?

by Melvin Rhodes

Perception is reality. And for better or worse, television and movies are the source of most people's perception of reality.

With this in mind, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ will, for most people around the world, be the extent of their exposure to the Gospels and the account of the last 12 hours of Christ's life leading to the crucifixion.

Whatever you may feel about the movie, one thing is certain: One man, in one year, with his own money, has done more to preach the gospel (as he understands it) than many churches dedicated to preaching the gospel as their primary reason for existence.

For all the controversy, one fact remains indisputable—this movie will be watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world, even those in countries where Christianity is forbidden. Satellite TV brings international programming into some of the most primitive parts of the earth and movie channels are the most popular viewing. A few months from now, The Passion of the Christ will be showing on those movie channels.

What will this lead to? That's an open question. No movie in recent history has impacted people so deeply on a spiritual level.

Many may fault Gibson's movie for some of its detail. His devout and traditionalist Catholicism is evident in the movie's emphasis on seeing the crucifixion of Jesus through His mother Mary's eyes. It can also be seen in the prolonged, harrowing scenes of whipping and scourging, followed by a much briefer period of suffering on the cross.

Many fear a rise in anti-Semitic feelings as a direct result of this powerful movie. Some of the Jewish religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus and wanted Him killed. As for myself, I was struck by the sadism and barbarity of the Roman soldiers. When Pontius Pilate "washed his hands" of Him, regular Roman troops did the rest.

Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0403/index.htm

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