"Jesus Movies"

by Beth Balshaw

The seasons of Lent and Easter are especially meaningful for Christians as we reflect on Jesus' ministry. Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday and ends with the triumph of Easter Sunday can be very emotional as we remember and re-enact Jesus' final days among us. In the context of this high emotion, we can be moved in powerful ways as we identify with different people in the story (e.g., Judas the betrayer, Peter who denied Jesus, Pontius Pilate who washed his hands of the situation, Jesus himself who felt abandoned by God, Mary the mother of Jesus in the loss of her son, Mary Magdelene in her discovery of the risen Christ). Our fascination with this story can bring us closer to God as we experience his redeeming love.

Film producers and playwrights have attempted to portray the essence of the life and ministry of Jesus and our relationship with God. Past productions include Jesus Christ Superstar, Jesus of Montreal, Jesus of Nazareth, The Jesus Film, The Greatest Story Ever Told, King of Kings and The Last Temptation of Christ, to name a few. We, the viewers, are clearly influenced by how the producers present the story - by what they include and what they omit. The famous Passion Play has been produced every ten years since 1634 in Oberammergau - 40 times so far. Christians have a longing to make sense of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and we seek out opportunities to experience the story over and over again.

There are a couple of "Jesus movies" playing in Calgary right now, just in time for the season of Lent. Garth Drabinsky's The Gospel of John opened on February 13th and Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ, opened in Calgary on February 25th.

There has been considerable controversy about Gibson's film, with some claiming that it is anti-semitic. Of course, the producers of Gibson's film deny allegations that it is anti-semitic. Ordinary people who wish to be mindful of both blatant and subtle anti-semitism face a dilemma. If the movie does, indeed, fuel hatred for Jews then one might wish to boycott the film. However, it is impossible to judge something one hasn't seen.

These films invite us to question the authority of the Bible. The movie, The Gospel of John, claims to be based directly on Scripture, using the Good News version of the Gospel of John as the narration of the film. Gibson's film also claims to be based on Scripture. What do we do if some of the Scriptures are themselves anti-semitic? The Christian Scholars Group on Christian-Jewish Relations points out that, by the time the gospels were written, "there had been harsh Roman persecution against the churches, so they had reason to shift blame for Jesus' death onto Jewish leaders and avoid stirring up anger against the Romans." We need to read and understand the Scriptures in the context of the politics of the time.

Each of us must decide for ourselves whether or not we wish to attend a particular film or play about the passion of Christ. If a film can inspire us to get into the Scriptures, to ask questions, to challenge our own assumptions and to challenge the ideas presented in the film, then it can be a good thing. We need to be discerning in our response to any film or play that we see.

The Christian Scholars Group on Christian-Jewish Relations has provided the following questions to guide us when we view a film portraying the Passion of Christ:

• Ask yourself what you think about who killed Jesus, and why they did it. How did you form your ideas about this? How important are these ideas for you? When you see or hear a Passion portrayal, how will you assess its meaning?

• Read one or more gospel accounts, noting what is emphasized and what is downplayed. In viewing a portrayal, ask: Which gospel is favored? What parts come from other sources? What choices were made here, for what purpose?

• Is Pontius Pilate shown as the absolute tyrant that he was? Does the high priest, Caiaphas, defer realistically to Pilate? Is Jesus’ death related to his life as a devoted Jew? Is it in any way shown to be your fault or responsibility?

• How much time is given to each part of the story? What is told in slow detail, and what is quickly passed by? Where does the director focus your attention? Does the style of this portrayal emphasize conflict or reconciliation?

The Christian Scholars Group adds this comment: "The challenge for those who tell this powerful story today, and for those who see it, is to experience its power as the Christian good news without creating bad news for Jews."

I encourage you to do your own research about Passion stories. The following web sites are worth investigating:

www.jcrelations.net/en/displayItem.php?id=2169
www.bc.edu/research/cjl/meta-elements/texts/education/CreightonViewersGuide.pdf
www.jcrelations.net/en/displayItem.php?id=2162
www.jcrelations.net/en/displayItem.php?id=2061
www.jcrelations.net/en/displayItem.php?id=927
www.ecumene.org/SHOAH/oberammer.htm