Passion Evangelism

On Ash Wednesday 2004, The Passion of the Christ premiered in North America. Never has a film on Christ's passion garnered so much attention. In its first two weeks the movie grossed well over 200 million dollars and is poised to become the highest grossing R-rated movie in history. Its subsequent release around the world has the potential to influence multiplied millions of viewers.

However, as this article will explain, endorsing the movie without explaining the gospel can be dangerous. The first reason is quite clear: The Passion of the Christ, as the name indicates, focuses mainly on the passion (the sufferings) of Christ. The movie does not adequately explain the significance of these events. Many have died for noble causes, but Christ's death is unique. As Christians, we should springboard from discussions surrounding the movie to explain the full meaning and purpose of Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

Some have asked the question: was it Mel Gibson's intention for the film to focus on the Catholic Eucharist and Mary? In an interview given on EWTN, while explaining the very moving and emotional and efficacious aspects of the Catholic Latin Mass, Mr. Gibson stated his goal and intention for making this film:

The goal of the movie is to shake modern audiences by brashly juxtaposing the sacrifice of the cross with the sacrifice of the altar - which is the same thing.[5]

This interview was broadcast around the globe on EWTN - the world's largest Catholic television broadcasting organization. Of course, all Catholics are required by Rome to believe that Christ is repeatedly sacrificed on Catholic altars at every Mass. Might this movie influence others to embrace this unbiblical belief?

Though the lasting affects of this movie will not be known for some time, it has already had a profound influence on the cast and crew. Jim Cavaziel - the actor who played Jesus, explained how those involved in the film were changed. In the following statement made by Carl Limbacher taken from an article titled Mel Gibson's Christ Reveals Crucifixion, written January 25, 2004, we are told that many in the crew converted to Catholicism:

In his first media interview anywhere about his starring role in Mel Gibson's much anticipated film The Passion of the Christ, James Cavaziel - Gibson's Jesus - detailed on Friday the ordeal of filming the Crucifixion scenes, noting that the overall experience prompted many in the crew to convert to Catholicism. [6]

Further, Cavaziel stated that the filming of Christ's story really changed people's lives.[7] According to the interview, Cavaziel also told Gibson, I think it's very important that we have Mass every day - at least I need that to play this guy.[8] Then one further statement that focuses in on the heart of the issue. Cavaziel said: I felt if I was going to play him I needed the sacrament in me. Gibson provided that.[9] Of course, the sacrament Cavaziel was referring to, is the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This is the heart and core of the Roman Catholic faith. As we have shown in chapter 4 of this book, the Eucharistic Christ is not the biblical Christ. We also know that having the sacrament in me is of no spiritual value. Do these men understand the biblical gospel? 

The Mary Connection

In an article written by Catherine L. Keefe called Journey of an Actor's Soul, Jim Caviezel shared how Mary prepared him to play this momentous role. Keefe, writing about Caviezel's spiritual journey stated:

[Jim's] faith has grown in fits and starts. Some of his spiritual awakenings revolve around the Blessed Mother, the Rosary, and Medjugorje, Bosnia, where many believe the Virgin Mary has been appearing since 1981. He visited the site in November 2000. [10]

The article explained what took place when Jim Caviezel prayed with Ivan Dragicevic, a visionary from Medjugorje who travels the world speaking about his encounters with Mary. At first Caviezel was doubtful about Ivan and his visions. However his prayer with Dragicevic changed the actor's mind. Quoting from the article:

I said to Ivan, Hey, I'm here, is she in this room? Dragicevic assured him that Mary was there, so Caviezel prayed, saying, I don't know if I can believe you're here, but if you are, go ahead and microwave me. Go ahead and do whatever you have to do to my soul. He felt a sudden, encompassing peace. It was one of the most beautiful days of my life, he says. [11]

Caviezel wears a gold medal of Our Lady of Medjugorje on a gold chain around his neck, one of three medals. He also has a cross-shaped scapular that declares: I am a Catholic, please call a priest. The third depicts Pope John Paul II. [12]One more statement from the actor who plays the role of Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's The Passion fo the Christ gives more insight into what Caviezel believes:

The catharsis for me to play this role was through Medjugorje, through Gospa. In preparation, I used all that Medjugorje taught me. Mel Gibson and I were going every day for Mass together. Some days I couldn't go for Mass, but I was receiving the Eucharist. [14]

This film is something I believe was made by Mary for her Son. Because it was made by her, it will be attacked by the enemy.[15]

The Catholic Mary?

By searching the Scriptures, we know that the Mary of the apparitions is of demonic origin, and that the Eucharistic Jesus is a false christ. As Bible-believing Christians we must use every opportunity to explain who Jesus is and clarify the gospel of grace to those who are confused. However, many Christians are apparently unaware that the producer of The Passion embraces a false christ and an unbiblical Mary. In fact, Mel Gibson endorses the Catholic notion that Mary is a tremendous co-redemptrix and mediatrix. In an interview with Christianity Today, Mel told of his amazement that evangelical Christians were among the most receptive to his film depiction of Christ and Mary. Here are two excerpts from the interview:

I've been actually amazed at the way I would say the evangelical audience has - hands down - responded to this film more than any other Christian group. What makes it so amazing, he says, is that the film is so Marian.[16]  Gibson knows that Protestants don't regard Mary in the way Catholics do. And Gibson goes beyond many when he calls her a tremendous co-redemptrix and mediatrix.[17] 

During The Passion, we see much of Jesus's agony through Mary's eyes. The strong spiritual link between Jesus and Mary is prominent throughout the movie. Her participation, her co-redemptrix work, is also suggested in the film. Yet, many Christians do not recognize the significance. Two more quotes from the Christianity Today article show that the response to the Mary of the movie has been profound:

Gibson says, The way the film displays [Mary] has been kind of an eye opener for evangelicals who don't understand the reality of a mother and a son.[18]  And that is what I observed: After both of The Passion screenings I attended, the Protestant women talked about identifying with Mary as a mother who was watching her child suffer. From whatever point in his spirituality Gibson's treatment of Mary is springing, it is touching deeply the maternal impulse in his viewers. [19]

Of course Mary did suffer during her Son's passion. [20] However, the biblical narrative does not focus on Mary. The focus of the Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - is the Father's great love for mankind. The eternal God and Creator demonstrated His great love for the world by sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins. While Jesus does call on the Father several times in the movie, Mary is given a much more prominent role than the Bible gives her. Where did Mel receive his inspiration to include these unbiblical scenes? 

The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Mr. Gibson has publicly stated that his film is based, in part, on visions and messages received by a 19^th century Catholic mystic. The revelations and visions of Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich are contained in the book entitled - The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The book states, she was accustomed to have divine knowledge imparted to her in visions of all kinds, and was often favored by visits from the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven.[21] The back cover of the book gives this description:

The Dolorous Passion recounts with incredible precision the horrendous sufferings undergone by our Savior in His superhumanly heroic act of Redemption. Also illuminating is its description of Mary's participation in the sufferings of her Son, so that this book gives the reader a poignant understanding of why Our Lady is often called our Co-Redemptrix and Queen of Martyrs.[22]

The Dedication page reads: To the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Help of Christians, and Refuge of the Human Race.[23] Because of the tremendous interest in The Passion of the Christ, this book has become an instant best seller. Catholic bookstores rightly market it as The Book That Inspired Mel Gibson to Film The Passion Of The Christ.[24]The following quotes taken directly from Anne Catherine Emmerich's book, will confirm that Mel Gibson received much of his unbiblical Marian and eucharistic scenes from this Catholic visionary:

The Blessed Virgin was ever united to her Divine Son by interior spiritual communications; she was, therefore, fully aware of all that happened to him - she suffered with him, and joined in his continual prayer for his murderers. [25]  I soon after saw Mary and Magdalen approach the pillar where Jesus had been scourged; they knelt down on the ground near the pillar, and wiped up the sacred blood with the linen Claudia Procles [Pontius Pilate's wife] had sent. [26]  [at the foot of the cross] the Blessed Virgin, filled with intense feelings of motherly love, entreated her Son to permit her to die with him[27]  She looked once more upon her beloved Son - the flesh of her flesh, the bone of her bone, the heart of her heart. [28]

There are many other unbiblical inclusions in the film that come straight from this book. For example, in the movie, after Peter denies Jesus, he falls at Mary's feet and says, Mother, I have denied Him. (This episode is from page 174 of the book). The unbiblical character Veronica who wipes Jesus's bloody face is taken straight from the book as well (pages 258-259). The manner that Mary receives and cradles Jesus (Pieta style) is also directly from this book (page 316). 

The Eucharist in the Film and Book

Another major theme of The Dolorous Passion is its repeated references to the Eucharistic Jesus. In the book, as in the movie, Jesus refers to the cup as the chalice both in the Garden of Gethsemane and at the Last Supper. Catholics will understand this eucharistic reference. Additionally, the Last Supper reenactment also comes straight from the book:

The book is replete with references to the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Real Presence, and the Blessed Eucharist. Not surprising, during the movie, when you see the bread unwrapped, the camera flashes to a scene of Jesus being stripped. As Jesus's blood is dripping from the cross, the camera flashes to a scene where wine is being poured into a chalice during the Last Supper. In the movie, when accusations are being hurled at Jesus at his trial, John 6 is quoted by an irate Jew saying that this man said we must eat his body and drink his blood for eternal life. This scene is also straight from the book. [30] Of course, this accusation is not recorded in the Bible, but the film's implication is clear - The stubborn false accusers deny transubstantiation, while those faithful to Jesus know this is the key to eternal life. Here is one last excerpt from the book that concurs with Mel's Catholic beliefs:

Mel Gibson has stated that the movie reflects my beliefs.[32] He also has said, "There is no salvation for those outside the [Catholic] Church, I believe it."[33] Though Mel has flip-flopped on this since, it is clear that Mel is a Catholic director with Catholic theological advisors, producing a Catholic movie, intended to evangelize people into the Catholic Church. According to the Catholic website, Catholic Passion Outreach:

Michael Brown, a Catholic author and provider of the website Spirit Daily, has written and reported on The Passion of the Christ extensively on his website. In his February 28^th 2004 article entitled "Passion is seen as a movie with potential to cause profound and lasting effects," he explains the role the movie may have in uniting Christians.

Granted, it's only a movie, but it could help unite Christians. I have never seen a better possibility for popular ecumenical dialogue. We all have common ground - and though Gibson is Catholic (a traditionalist at that), his most fervent support so far has come from Baptists, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals. [35]

Another [effect] involves Mary. This movie presents the Blessed Mother in a way that reintroduces her to Protestants. They are able to see her as someone they can relate to. She is down to earth. They will laugh with her. They will cry with her. They'll more fully appreciate (as will everyone else) what she went through. Hopefully, they'll grow to love her.  During the Last Supper scenes, they may also gain a better understanding of the Eucharist. [36] 

Our Commission

There is no doubt that Mel Gibson is sincere. He and the multitudes of Catholics who have embraced the Catholic Mary and the Eucharistic Jesus are earnest in their desire to lead souls into the Catholic Church. However, though sincere, they are also deceived. Not all Catholics are aware of Rome's unbiblical teachings concerning Mary and the Eucharist. Nevertheless, many have embraced these deceptions. May we, as believers, heed Paul's final exhortation to Timothy:

As Christians, we must be equipped to present the truth in love. Often this requires that we expose deception with the light of God's Word. Remember also that there is much good resulting from this controversy. Many Christians have been given a unique platform to give public testimony of why Jesus died and rose from the dead. Many other Christians are using the movie as an opportunity to witness at theaters and other venues. People are searching for spiritual meaning, purpose, and satisfaction. May the Lord enable each one of us by His Holy Spirit to be faithful witnesses to this generation. May we testify of the Word of Truth [38] and point souls to the Word of Life - Jesus Christ. [39]