By Jenny Youngman

Am I less of a Christian because I don’t want to see The Passion of the Christ?

That’s just one of the many questions I’m wrestling with since the hoopla surrounding the movie was unleashed. I can’t decide whether I don’t want to see the movie because I’m already burned out on the previews and Mel Gibson interviews; or because I don’t want to see the brutality of my Savior, Lord, and Friend being beaten and dying his slow death on the cross.

A colleague of mine told me that she didn’t want to see it because she wouldn’t be able to separate herself from the violence. About other movies with violent scenes, she says that she can say, “I don’t know or care about that person because it’s just a fictional movie.” She can’t, however, separate herself from Jesus; because his death and resurrection is the anchor of her faith—one more reason I don’t want to see the film.

Another reason I’ll skip the movie is in part a rebellion against the Christian commercialism machine. I have never read The Prayer of Jabez for much the same reason. Why do we create idols out of books, movies, superstar authors, and moviemakers? Why aren’t we as excited about the Gospel itself as we are about the latest take on the story? Why does it take mass merchandise to pump us up about what should be embedded in our hearts and pouring out of our lives—not just printed on our t-shirts?

I do understand that The Passion is indeed a wonderful opportunity to communicate part of the Gospel story to a mass audience. I also think that it will be a fantastic and artistic movie. But why does the Christian community need a movie to be excited about telling everyone about Jesus? The Holy Spirit has been in the world, courting the hearts of humans for thousands of years; and I’m sure that the Spirit will continue working, with or without Mel Gibson. Undoubtedly, the Holy Spirit will use this movie to expand the Kingdom; but as Christians we know that the Kingdom does not hinge on the movie.

Allow me to answer my own question: I am not less of a Christian if I don’t see this movie. Likewise, seeing The Passion will not make a person more Christian. Our faith is defined not by an emotional response to a movie, but by how we live because of the Story.

As I have wrestled with whether or not I will see this movie, I had to ask myself several questions. I pose the same questions to you: How will you respond to the movie and its hype? Will you consume it, as we do everything else in our consumer culture? Will you become caught up in the movie, instead of the message? Will you spend more time selecting Passion gadgets than studying the Scriptures themselves? Will you look down on those who choose not to see the film? Will you let your love for this movie (and Mel Gibson) replace your love and passion for Christ himself?

I hope not. I hope we can all (those who see the movie and those who do not) take a step back and see this movie for what it is—one storyteller’s version of the Crucifixion. Yes, movies are how we tell stories today. Yes, Gospel messages can be communicated through Hollywood movies. Yes, having Jesus on the big screen gives us a tremendous opportunity for outreach and evangelism. But the story of Jesus does not live or die on the basis of whether we see the movie. Let us pray that those who do choose to see the movie (I fully understand that I am in the minority) walk away with a deeper understanding of their role in the continuing drama of God’s relationship with the world. Let us all take advantage of having Jesus on the big screen by telling everyone with whom we come in contact “the rest of the story.” Because we know that the climax of the Jesus story is not in the last twelve hours, but on the third day.

—Jenny Youngman is new mom who doesn’t get to go to movies anymore. Her passion is helping youth thrive as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Brought to you by your youth ministry colleagues at Cokesbury.

© 2004 The United Methodist Publishing House. This material may be reproduced for educational purposes only.

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