As I was watching the movie, however, I noticed that many of the subtitles are not Scriptural. Many evangelicals undoubtedly will come out of the movie thinking that the conversations are entirely Bible-based. 8 The movie is also replete with Roman Catholic mysticism and imagery, hidden from the uninitiated. ' 7 As we shall see in the rest of this article, The Passion is a Roman Catholic movie made by a Roman Catholic producer, teaching Roman Catholic doctrines. Mel Gibson, a devout Roman Catholic, states his purpose for making the move: 'It reflects my beliefs.' Some of these beliefs are: ' There is no salvation for those outside the Church, I believe it' 6 and ' It is possible for people who are not even Christian to get into the kingdom of heaven. The Passion of the Christ and Roman Catholicism However, credit should be given when deserved and I agree with all those who have showered praises on the movie as 'a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic triumph,' and for being 'a deeply human, beautiful story,' 5 although I believe it contains too much brutality and gore, perhaps pushing viewers to the edge of being desensitized by its violence. Jesus defines the Great Commission as our making disciples, not merely converts, and 'teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you' (Matt. Many Christians mistakenly believe that the church exists for evangelism, but the mission of the church is not just evangelism.

Perhaps I will be accused of nitpicking on the details and doctrinal content of the movie and trying to suggest that the movie should be perfect, instead of seeing its evangelistic importance.

Is The Passion really an evangelistic tool? And the more vital question to ask is this: Is the evangel (good news)-salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, with the only infallible words on earth being those of Scripture alone-proclaimed in this movie? If the movie is not faithful to the gospel, should evangelicals endorse it, use it, and watch it, thereby justifying the means by the end? MalabuyoĪccording to the endorsements by various evangelical leaders and pastors such as Billy Graham, James Dobson, Lee Strobel, and Rick Warren, The Passion of the Christ is 'perhaps the best outreach opportunity in 2,000 years!' 1 Roman Catholics, however, see this movie as their evangelistic tool-to convert others into the Roman religion: 'It's the best evangelization opportunity we've had since the actual death of Jesus.' 2 3 The Passion of the Christ: A Review by Nollie F.

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