“The Passion of the Christ”
Claims of Antisemetism from the Anti-Christians
I recently viewed the movie "The Passion of the Christ". I can see no grounds for claims that it is antisemetic and overly violent.
As a Bible-believing Christian, I believe the Jews played a part in the crucifixion of Jesus. However, it would be stupid for Christians to hate Jews for this. The whole purpose of Jesus' incarnation was that He would die in our place, to pay for our sin, making salvation possible for those that will turn to Him. Jesus Himself came into this world as a Jewish baby. His mother Mary was a Jew. The Biblical heroes are almost all Jewish.
Christians know that God has not rejected the Jewish people, and that they still have a glorious future with Him. Neither do true Christians hate Jews. I believe this film will not incite one true Christian to participate in any hate crime against a Jew.
"The Passion" depicts graphically the suffering of Jesus. This is not gratuitous violence - it is essential to portray the depth of the love Jesus had for us, and the price that He paid to make possible our salvation. To gloss over it would be to misrepresent the love of God for humankind. The Bible says that "his visage was marred more than any man". The violence was perpetrated by the Romans, but I have yet to hear anyone accuse "The Passion" of being anti-Roman or anti-Italian.
After seeing the film, I am satisfied that Mel Gibson's motivation for producing this movie was his love for the Saviour, rather than any supposed hatred for Jews.
The Jews did put Jesus on the cross. So did the Romans. So did every human who has ever sinned, including Mel Gibson and myself. But over all, it was Jesus love for you and me that held Him to that cross.
I know that Jews have suffered and been killed due to true antisemetism, and in no way would I wish to understate the harm done to them as a people at various times in their history. I can sympathise with genuine concerns Jewish people may feel about the fallout from this film.
However, claims of antisemetism and excessive violence were fuelled and whipped up by Hollywood and the media. Much of the furore surrounding this movie really comes from those who hate Christianity and howl down anything which honours Jesus and His followers.
FREE DOWNLOADS
Ebook: The Arguments for God
Ebook: Rene Descartes philosophical writings on the existance of God. (Descartes was the guy who said "I think, therefore I am")
Contents