Everyone else is, why not me, too?

Saturated...that is, it seems like everywhere I turn Mel Gibson and his telling of the story of the passion of Jesus has penetrated our cultural consciousness.

Those of us in the church, by all accounts, are thrilled by the prospect of this film. There are myriad reasons for this excitement. Many believe it wil be the evangelism tool of the millenium. My own personal reason is that it actually appears that this is, in fact, a film. Gibson approached the story artistically.

One of my favorite film geek sites, Ain't It Cool News hosts an annual event called "Butt-Numb-A-Thon" where 300 lucky film-freaks show up for 24 straight hours of film-watching - with no prior knowledge of what is going to be shown. Harry Knowles, chief geek, arranges to have directors show-up, film in hand, and screen their movie, some old, some new. This last November's event boasted Peter Jackson and Return of the King and Mel Gibson and The Passion of the Christ. Most of these people and reviewers, I assume, aren't Christians. Reading their reviews and responses to these films nearly brought tears to my eyes, not because they were being sucked in, but because they were blown away by the telling of the story, and thus the Story itself.

I guess I am cautious. Our particular brand of Christianity seems so taken by the event. If only we can get people to the event. And to be sure, it works in many instances. I don't know, maybe this is dumb. I just get discouraged at times by the ways in which it seems like we are way more into events than living life with people. Certainly these things are not mutually exclusive, and this film has fallen into the hype machine that characterizes so much of modern and post-modern America. But the distribution/marketing company and many churches and para-church ministries that are whole-hog into this thing concern me. The Trinity Broadcasting Network appears to be the Passion Broadcasting Network, much the same way it was the Left Behind or Omega Code Broadcasting Network when those films came onto the scene. I just feel the "Next Big Christian Thing" fatigue (think Prayer of Jabez). I just wish those of us in the church would not be so quick to jump on board, whether it is against things like The Last Temptation of Christ or for The Passion of the Christ. Maybe I'm wrong.

Here are two articles processing different responses to this film. Jason Clark posted an article on his blog titled, Will Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ Help Save Christianity?, by Daniel Johnson. Mike King linked me to an article by Frederica Mathewes-Green, an orthodox theologian and writer, titled, What Mel Missed, which actually uses the film to discuss some history of the theology of the atonement and different interpretations.

Comments

[Chad Farrand]

Tim, my uneasyness with this film has nothing to do with the story, but rather the packaging. While I realize that film is a powerful, and culturally "relevant" medium...I am uneasy about wrapping another "product" for sale in the name of jesus...and the modern baggage of a gospel much abused. This doesn't mean that I don't support the efforts, or refuse to see it by any means...but I too am cautious.

[Tim Keel]

Well said, Chad. After I posted this I found a product list from "Outreach" that includes mailers, banners, direct mail lists, etc. In fact, I'll edit my post with alink to the merchandise site. How are things going, by the way, Chad?

[Chris]

Tim, I agree; why can't we (the church or christians) be more natural and organic? I think it's wise to become "intentional" with the film. But do we need to become programed and event driven? God help us; if we are not careful we will miss this opportunity; passion will be more like a three ring cirucs then a beautiful story. The story will change lives. The church has to learn how to stay out of the way.

[lillylewin]

tim...was in a christian bookstore today and got sick over all the passion related merchandise...most of it not made by the producers of the film...but others jumping on the "prayer of jabez toliet paper" bandwagon...
i too hope that folks won't spend their money on the stuff and get sucked into the hype, but rather will live out their lives, as you say, in front of folks. i would much rather see people invite a friend than hang a door hanger...
hope all is well in your neighborhood! going to nashville in may? lilly

[Tim Keel]

Hi Lilly! Great to hear from you. It is so hard to talk about this stuff without coming across in an elitist way, but it needs to be discussed because the machine is so powerful that in true McLuhan fashion, the message is lost or transformed. By the way, I'll be in N'ville and San Diego. I'll look forward to seeing you and your hubby.

[Paul]

I think that the question comes down to do you think this film should be set apart or treated differently then other films? If it is just an art piece then I would hope it would be promoted and marketed in the same manner as other films that affect us on a pure enjoyment level or even on a spiritual level. If you feel that this film is in someway 'holy' then it deserves a reverence unattached to media blitz and push. So, do you feel this material should be treated differently that other films that we can find spiritual value in?, LOTR or the Matrix series, for example. If this film is 'holy' then what should our response be?

[Tim Keel]

Hey Paul...that's an interesting take. In what sense do you mean holy? And I'm curious: without having seen it, do you have a sense of whether or not you see this film as "holy"? What is your read on it?

[Katy Raymond]

Hi, Tim! I'm thinking about the "holy" question. If holy (in an earthly sense) means set aside for God's purposes, then it seems to me that this film would be better used if it could stand on its own merit, apart from the overwhelming hype. I'm thinking me owning a Passion keychain or Bible cover or tie or nightgown (just kidding, I hope) reduces what could have been "holy" into something much more common than God intended.

Also, I worry when churches rent out theaters and tell their constituents that they (the churched) will be charged full-price, but that every unsaved or unchurched person they bring will only be charged half price. Being the bargain hunter that I am, even I might disown Him in a moment of weakness....... ;)

[Tim Keel]

Big grins, Katy. But I am with you on that aspect off holy.

[Doug Raymond]

I haven't seen it yet but, marketing methodologies aside, I already feel confronted and challenged by its message. I've read the book, so I can anticipate the impact that the graphically portrayed depiction will have. Even a lame story can have an enormous impact when portrayed in an artistic and sensitive way. But when you combine the Greatest Story with first class acting, directing, music and cinematography, the result is powerful indeed.

Years ago I sat alone in my parent’s living room watching the classic film "King of Kings". It's cheesy and campy; Jesus is played by a blonde, blue-eyed Caucasian; the script was written by King James; blah, blah, blah; but the story is still The Story. In the scene after Jesus is crucified and buried, Mary comes to the tomb to find it empty, and then sees Jesus nearby. "Do not touch me", he says, with a perfect Elizabethan English accent. "I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." These words hit me with a powerful force. I cried uncontrollably, realizing that Jesus could not have spoken those words in that way until that moment. He had completed what He had come to do, and as a result, His Father could now be my father, His God could now be my God. The passion was for this purpose - that God the Father could be our God and our Father.

In spite of the movie's 'campiness', God spoke to my heart in a profound way. I suspect that God will touch very many lives through Mel's film in spite of the church's programmatic approach more than because of it.

[Robert J. Bingaman]

Not sure if any of you will see this on time, but Gibson is going to be on Prime Time tonight with Diane Sawyer...should be about as interesting as televsion can be.

[Paul]

Tim:
I do have a sense that this film is meant to be protected as a gift inspired by God through His Word and imparted for the purpose of leading people to understanding His connection to us. The scriptures are an account of the living, breathing gospel and I feel this film could also be an account. Just as we don't have coupons or advertisements in the back of our Bibles, I feel we also should make steps to be careful not to trample the message that is this ancient story being communicated. So many times we think that God needs us to sell His message. Is the story so weak that it needs a push? It's so glorious, so beautiful, so awe-bringing that we need to only get out of the way.

Now, on the other hand you have this great message, this great teaching that can be a benefit in explaining faith and purpose. Why would you not want to have this promoted in every way possible? When you hear something that changes every paradigm in your life why wouldn’t you shout it from every mountain? There are so many people that aren’t teachers, aren’t apostles but they know the truth. They have faith to know and they know. Now, they might not be great communicators but they can still share. This happened many times in the Bible. Matthew invited Jesus to his house to share the good news with his friends. Mary ran to the disciples with shouts of, He is alive! The stone is rolled away and he is risen! And on and on.

So, there will be those who might not share the same way that we do and might even offend us. If my offense is all that keeps others from knowing, then let me be royally offended. I believe peoples’ motives are just even if not tactful. At least people are talking.