The Passion of the Christ

Pastoral reflections on 'The Passion'

Cultural buzz around 'Passion of The Christ' sheds light on unchanging meaning of Easter
Published April 15, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--More than any in recent history, this Easter season is especially filled with interest in the cross of Christ, and evangelicals must not allow a premium opportunity to pass by, several Southern Baptist professors noted.

Beyond ‘The Passion’ lies the ‘rest of the story’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published April 8, 2004

This Lord's Day Christians around the world will celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus. As the Scriptures report and believers from the First Century forward have testified, on the third day after His burial, Jesus arose from the grave leaving behind an empty tomb.

Baseball players minister to teammates with ‘Passion’
TIM ELLSWORTH
Correspondent
Published April 1, 2004

PORT St. LUCIE (FBW)–Churches aren’t the only ones renting out theaters and using Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ” as an outreach tool. Baseball players are doing the same thing.

Pastor pitches tent to spearhead ‘Passion’ outreach
VANESSA GARCIA
Florida Baptist Convention
Published March 25, 2004

BROOKSVILLE (FBC)–Each day, before the previews appear for a showing of Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ" in Brooksville’s Beacon 10 Movie Theater, Joe Santerelli shares with movie goers about the emotional "experience" of viewing the dramatic interpretation of the crucifixion.

Florida legislator invites colleagues to 'Passion' viewing
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published March 18, 2004

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-A member of the Florida House of Representatives has kept his annual tradition of extending a gift to his colleagues in the legislature.

A pastor’s view of Gibson’s, ‘The (Dolorous) Passion’
Point-of-View
HOWARD J. ROSZAK
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Paisley
Published March 4, 2004

"The Passion of The Christ" is a very Catholic movie, produced by a very Catholic Mel Gibson, and based upon a very Catholic book — The Dolorous Passion. The Dolorous Passion is a collection of the meditations of an 18th Century, mystic nun by the name of Anne Catherine Emmerich as she received direct revelation from the Virgin Mary.

10 questions for moviegoers in discussing ‘The Passion’
DON WHITNEY
Baptist Press
Published March 4, 2004

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP)–Judging by ticket sales and media attention, the movie by Mel Gibson, "The Passion of The Christ," already is one of the most popular and controversial films of our time. These questions will help in thinking through the movie or in discussing it with others.

‘The Passion of The Christ’ impacts theater crowds, changes opinions
CAROLYN NICHOLS & JONI B. HANNIGAN
Published March 4, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-News outlets reported March 1 "The Passion of The Christ" earned a record $125.2 million in its first five days in theaters nationwide. The film already surpassed its closest competition, "50 First Dates," which earned only a tenth of The Passion’s total ticket sales. Many Floridians also assert that the film’s impact goes beyond box office numbers.

Who REALLY killed Jesus? My role and the Father’s
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published February 26, 2004

As if there hasn’t been enough ink spilled on the subject, forgive my humble effort at engaging the cultural phenomenon known as, "The Passion of The Christ." Mel Gibson’s controversial film is now in theaters after months of media attention and Christian curiosity has made the movie one of the most anticipated works to come to the big screen in years.

‘The Passion’ and the Talmud examined
Point-of-View
TERRY MATTINGLY
Baptist Press
Published February 26, 2004

The ancient rabbinic text is clear about the punishment for those who twisted sacred law and misled the people of Israel.

‘The Passion of The Christ’
Point-of-View
TED BAEHR
MOVIEGUIDE
Published February 26, 2004

"The Passion of the Christ" is not your average passion play, although it covers the time period from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Resurrection. Going beyond most passion plays, it highlights in stark, dark, intense terms the spiritual warfare raging around Jesus Christ during His Passion in a concrete way.

‘Passion’ stirs hearts of Florida pastors
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter
Published February 19, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–Scores of Florida Baptist churches are aggressively promoting Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of The Christ" as an evangelism opportunity. Some have invested in bulk mailings promoting the film, some are renting movie theaters for showings, and others are hearing month-long sermon series using the movie and Gibson’s appeal to attract the unchurched.

Man buys 6,000 ‘Passion’ tickets to give away
Published February 19, 2004

PLANO, Texas (BP)–Perhaps no one person aside from Mel Gibson himself has made a more noteworthy effort to promote "The Passion of The Christ" than a Texas man who purchased 6,000 tickets to the film and gave them away to the community.

Tracts based on ‘The Passion’ answer ‘Who killed Jesus?’
Published February 19, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–As arguments over who is responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross resonate from the media all the way to the Vatican, the American Tract Society has produced two tracts to answer the popular question.

‘Passion’ evangelism tools available through LifeWay, NAMB
Published February 19, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–As the premiere of "The Passion of The Christ" approaches, news of its importance to the evangelical community is spreading and churches are taking advantage of the high-profile film.

Discovering the Biblical Jesus provides answers for questions about ‘Passion’
Published February 19, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–When Mel Gibson’s controversial new film, "The Passion of The Christ," opens Feb. 25, millions of Americans will be wrestling with the question, "Who is Jesus?" A new book from LifeWay Christian Resources will help churches and Christians answer the question.

Elevate 2004 motivates young adults to impact world
Published February 19, 2004

DALLAS (BP)–Several thousand college students and young professionals attending the opening night of Elevate 2004 were challenged not only on how to impact their world as Christians, but also on their own understanding of Christ’s suffering through a special preview screening of the Mel Gibson film "The Passion of The Christ."

Gospel according to Mel Gibson: A pastor reviews ‘The Passion of The Christ’
Point-of-View
JERRY WAUGH
Pastor, Northcliffe Baptist Church
Published February 19, 2004

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to a premiere showing of Mel Gibson’s new movie "The Passion of The Christ" in Chicago. I watched this much talked about movie. Mel Gibson was also there for a time of questions and answers.

Mel Gibson grants Billy Graham advance look at ‘Passion’
Published January 8, 2004

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BP)–Billy Graham watched a special showing of Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of Christ" and spoke with the Hollywood star about the decade-long spiritual journey that led to the film, according to a news release from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Gibson’s ‘The Passion’ receives praise from Baptist leaders
TAMMI REED LEDBETTER
Baptist Press
Published September 18, 2003

DALLAS (BP)–Mel Gibson’s representation of the sufferings of Jesus Christ in the upcoming movie "The Passion" surpasses all earlier efforts by cinematographers, according to Southern Baptists who were invited to view a rough cut of the film in Dallas.

Sibley: Anti-Semitism incompatible with sound theology
TAMMI REED LEDBETTER
Baptist Press
Published September 11, 2003

DALLAS (BP)–Jewish people are right to object to charges that they are responsible for the death of Jesus 2,000 years ago, according to Southern Baptists’ coordinator of Jewish ministries. Jim Sibley of Dallas stands strongly against all forms of anti-Semitism as contrary to the teachings of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and an assault on the revelation of Holy Scripture.