by Cameron J. Anderson

The storm of controversy and media-hype surrounding Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ has been unusually intense and may cause the prospect of actually viewing the film to be needlessly complicated. When you enter the theater, try to momentarily dismiss the avalanche of newspaper articles and television interviews, and engage the film on its own merits. Try starting with these questions as you seek to interpret Gibson's film and your responses to it.

Why do I want to see Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ?

Given the pre-release publicity, this first question may be the most important of all. So, before lining up to purchase your ticket, take a few moments to seriously consider that question. Are you hoping find out what everyone's talking about? Have you heard that it's a great movie and want to experience it for yourself? Are you a follower of Jesus and interested to see how Gibson depicts his final hours? There are many good reasons to see this film. I encourage you to consider what yours might be before you go.

On the other hand, don't be afraid to stay home. Not unlike Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Gibson's Braveheart (1995), the brutality displayed in The Passion of the Christ may be hard to take in. While all these movies tell important stories, they also showcase a great deal of violence and suffering. Because this can register so powerfully on our "mind's eye," it must be underscored that this kind of cinema is not for everyone.

What do I learn from the characters in the film?

One of The Passion's main interests is the development of its characters. Jesus, of course, occupies the film's central role. But many have found the portrayal of Mary, the mother of Jesus, equally compelling. Moreover, there is a great deal to be learned from the presence of other persons — such as Judas, Peter, Pilate, Pilate's wife, Mary Magdalene, Herod, Simon of Cyrene, and so on — and their responses to the suffering of Jesus. Observe these characters as they develop. Watch them as they wrestle with every emotion, from fear to doubt and intense devotion to bitter disbelief. Do you see your own reaction to the unfolding story in any of these characters?

What do I think of the story itself?

Jesus' suffering and crucifixion is foretold by Old Testament prophets and witnessed firsthand by the authors of three Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and John. Gibson, of course, used his skills as an artist and producer to fill in the many "gaps" in these accounts. For instance, we have no actual record regarding the physical appearance of any of the characters in the story. Furthermore, much of the actual dialog between the characters is not recorded and open to speculation. In other words, Gibson made a great number of artistic decisions to complete the film. Do you find Gibson's re-enactment of this story persuasive? Why or why not? Does it make any meaningful connection to your life, or do you find yourself interacting with it more dispassionately, as a skeptical observer? Why do you think that this story has captured the hearts and minds of Christians for two millennia?

Am I interested in learning more about the life and death of Jesus?

The story of Jesus' life and death is a matter of public record. Across the centuries, there has been a vigorous debate surrounding the meaning and purpose of Jesus' life, teaching, and death. To some it is the animating center of their personal belief in God. To others it is a myth of great proportion. In either case, it is a story that merits the careful attention of those who have viewed the film and those who have not. It is our hope that the discussion guides found here will provide an opportunity for you and your friends to examine the original story for yourselves.