‘The Passion of the Christ’

The Truth About the Film

Regretfully, many Christians have gone to see this film by Mel Gibson. And many have taken friends to see it, thinking that it would be a great way to introduce them to the Gospel. Others have used it to enliven a flagging Christian life in themselves or others.

It is my strong belief that all of them are in error, an error that will have consequences for their own spiritual lives. Read the article below and also read the full version, which is found on the ‘Better Than Rubies’ website.

Because this is a shortened version, I have also added my own notes to expand on certain points, and these mingle with the original article. A sub-title given by the original authors, is ‘10 things you really need to know about this film’. When you have read what they have to say, you will no doubt agree. The original article was written by Christians who have previously written excellent books against the Alpha Course, and whose research abilities are excellent…so please read as much as you can of their original work.

10 things you really need
to know about this film!

By Dusty Peterson & Elizabeth McDonald

“Numerous very good articles have now been written about Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of The Christ and so, rather than reinventing the wheel, we have simply listed our ‘top ten’ aspects of the film below, along with at least one reference to an article covering each point in more depth:”

1. An Opportunity for Evangelism

Mel Gibson's production company markets The Passion of the Christ as "perhaps the best outreach opportunity in 2000 years", and church leaders around the globe are seeing the film as:

"one of the most powerful evangelistic tools of the last 100 years" [Greg Laurie, Harvest Crusades].

Believers want unsaved people to come to Christ. There are reports of people joining the Catholic church after watching the film. And a Baptist minister urged moviegoers to ‘make a decision for Christ’. As the authors point out, ‘joining the church’ is no guarantee that a person is saved. Indeed, this kind of approach (‘piggy-backing’ the Gospel on a secular film) is Arminian to the core. It is not the way to spread the Gospel or to bring anyone to Christ. As the authors say, movie-goers who were approached say that they were deeply moved emotionally, but very few showed signs of actual repentance or salvation.

"Gibson said, 'I want to inspire and make people feel.' He's certainly achieved that. He has created a film that is moving and heart-rending. Who would NOT be moved to tears, seeing a loving and gracious person like Jesus rejected, whipped and crucified? Movie-goers are bound to feel sad, guilty, stunned and even shocked - but are any of these feelings true repentance and will they lead to accepting the Risen Christ by faith?" [Tricia Tillin].

The UK Christian Herald said:

"Many people have come to Christ through lousy preaching, but just because people can be saved through bad preaching doesn't mean to say we should endorse it" [Roy McLoughry, Christian Herald].

Even if this film were the most powerful evangelistic tool ever it does not necessarily follow that God wants us to take people to it. We must certainly be ready to bring the Gospel to those who have seen The Passion, but this is not the same thing as pro-actively using the film to preach the Gospel, as many evangelicals are advocating we do. Very worryingly, some believers are actually reporting significant damage to their minds and prayer life through seeing The Passion:

"I was very disturbed by the movie in many ways that I didn't realise right away. The images are burned deeply into your mind. ... It plays on your emotions and your mind, which I thought I could handle. I was wrong. ... By viewing this movie, I have suffered from the image of the actor portraying Christ jumping into my prayers … now I have to fight off the residual effects of this movie … " [Scott Gilbert].

KBN: I have also heard of similar consequences, and they are the same as those experienced by people who have attended Toronto-style meetings, or even psychic gatherings.

For more accounts from people who have seen the film, and an article regarding the film's evangelistic potential please see:

Four Eyewitness Reports - David Cloud

Passion Evangelism - Roger Oakland & Jim Tetlow

(2) Biblical Accuracy

Though claimed to be an accurate representation of the Lord's last hours, the film contains over 50 significant events not found in scripture, and go well beyond what could be construed as 'artistic license'. Likewise, important accounts in the Gospels are missing from the film. This despite the fact that God says we are never to add to, or take away from, His perfect Word (e.g. Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19). For example:

Satan tempts Jesus in Gethsemane, as well as appearing to Him several times during His suffering, and is depicted as a woman with a man’s voice, holding a demonic-looking baby. [Please see Rebecca Sexton’s article for the most likely reason behind this seemingly strange idea of Gibson's.]

"When they go to arrest 'Jesus', they strike him ... leaving him blinded in the right eye throughout the whole movie. I'm not sure why Mel decided to blind the eye of the "good shepherd", when the Bible describes the "foolish shepherd" as having his "right eye darkened"" (Zechariah 11:15-17) [Rebecca A. Sexton].

Jesus' deity is in question in the film when, in the garden, no-one falls over at His words: "I am he". [In saying these words, Jesus was identifying Himself as Jehovah, meaning: I AM.]

For an article listing over fifty substantial ways in which the film adds to and takes away from God's perfect Word please see:

Errors in Mel Gibson's Movie - David Cloud

(3) The Gospel

The Passion of The Christ contains very little of the real Gospel message. While the Lord's trial and crucifixion are portrayed in two hours of unrelenting violence, His resurrection is over and done with in just two minutes. The result is predictable:

"We are left unsure who Jesus was; and why – metaphysically if not politically – he had to go through such unbearable torments" [Mark Oakley, The Church Times].

"The Passion never provides a clear sense of what all the bloodshed was for" [A.O. Scott, The New York Times].

"I've struggled since seeing the film to come to terms with what I might have been missing, with how a film like this could be considered spiritually uplifting, enlightening, important. ... The significance and import utterly elude me. ... If the intent is to remind both the religious and secular multitudes why Christ had to die for our sins, the film fails on every level since it does virtually no explaining of who He was or what He did" [Ray Richmond, Hollywood Reporter].

One critic notes:

"It tells us next to nothing about Jesus, aside from the fact that he said a few things about loving one's neighbors and then dies horribly: ... [Other movies] didn't present Jesus only as a victim. Nor did any of them provide a Resurrection [so] perfunctory ... Gibson's finale seems especially empty..." [John Harti, MSNBC].

"The crucifixion of Jesus Christ has an essential theological and doctrinal framework ... Peter's sermon at Pentecost was typical ... and the result was not sobbing about scourge blows, but repentance out of fear of judgment" [Jonathan Crosby].

"Tragically, the movie fails to answer the most important question: 'Why did Jesus have to die?' Sinners are not saved by knowing HOW Jesus suffered and died, but by believing WHY He died" [Mike Gendron].

For articles looking at the Gospel in The Passion please see:

The Passion of Christ - Don Fortner

What You Won't Learn From The Passion - Ken Wimer

(4) Physical Focus

The film focuses excessively on, and adds extra-biblical accounts of, the Lord's physical suffering, rather than on His spiritual suffering as He was separated from His Father, which is what Scripture focuses on. Atonement is the key to the Lord's crucifixion. Tragically, the film apparently serves only to harden unsaved viewers against the Gospel:

"A sickening death trip, a grimly unilluminating procession of treachery, beatings, blood, and agony" [David Denby, The New Yorker].

"... the most gut-piercing depiction ever of a man being beaten to death in all of its blood-spurting, flesh-pulverizing glory. The film is an orgy of gore, displayed for the seeming sake of gore. Take away the spiritual veneer and, in its way, the film is downright pornographic. It concerns me that parents may be taking young (or even semi-young) children to see a film that is such a full-on visual assault simply because the graphic, unsparing viciousness can be justified as holy and pious" [Ray Richmond, Hollywood Reporter].

"You’re thinking there must be something to The Passion of the Christ besides watching a man tortured to death, right? Actually, no: this is a two-hour-and-six-minute snuff movie – The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre – that thinks it’s an act of faith" [Slate].

Please see the following articles for further examples of this element of The Passion:

Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of Christ": Why is the movie so brutal? - David Cloud 4 Eyewitness Reports – David Cloud and ‘Passion’ – Pornography for the Whole Family? – Ray Richmond

(5) Gibson’s Inspiration

Gibson took his inspiration from a book, ‘The Dolorous Passion of Christ’ by Roman Catholic mystic, Anne Emmerich (1774-1824). (Dolorous means sorrowful, dismal, full of grief.)  He said "She supplied me with stuff I never would have thought of" and he admits to carrying one of her relics with him.  But Emmerich had never read the Bible, only the Catholic Catechism!

"The Church is the only one, the Roman Catholic! ... Then I had the sweet assurance that Mary is the Church; the Church, our mother; ... I have had a great vision on the mystery of Holy Mass and I have seen that whatever good has existed since creation is owing to it [No. All good things are owed to God alone - DP & EMcD.]" [Quotes from Anne Catherine Emmerich].

"To the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven [but see Jer. 7:17-19 & 44:16-27 - DP & EMcD] and Earth, Lady of the Most Holy Rosary [the Rosary is not actually Catholic, but rather Hindu, in origin - DP & EMcD], Help of Christians, and Refuge of the Human Race [No. Jesus Christ is the only Refuge of the human race - DP & EMcD.]" [Dedication in Emmerich's book, (details as above)].

Emmerich also showed signs of demonic oppression, if not possession:

"[Emmerich] was often favored by visits from the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven, who under the form of a sweet, lovely and majestic lady, would bring the Divine Child to be, as it were, her companion" [extract from Introduction to Emmerich's book, (Tan Books and Publishers, Inc, as quoted by Roger Oakland)]. [There is an un-crossable gulf between the living and the dead, so these were obviously demonic visits - DP & EMcD.]

"During the last 12 years of her life, she ... subsist[ed] entirely on the Holy Eucharist [Since the Roman Catholic Eucharist is not a Holy thing, it is hardly likely that it was the Lord God who was sustaining her - DP & EMcD]. From 1802 until her death, she bore the wounds of the Crown of Thorns, and from 1812, the full stigmata of Our Lord, including a cross over her heart and the wound from the lance" [From article 'Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich'].

"She levitated" [Michael Brown, biographer of Emmerich]. [Witches levitate, but the only 'levitation' Christians will experience is the rapture - DP & EMcD.]

Many of the additions to the biblical account in The Passion come straight from this (demonic) source. Is God likely to want us to expose ourselves to such things? Please see the following articles:

The ‘Passion’ Visionary - Roger Oakland

Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich - Marianne

For extracts from Emmerich’s book, which show the extent to which Gibson drew on her writings, rather than on the Bible, for his film, please email Jewel Grewe on discernment@earthlink.net for the March/April 2004 edition of her Discernment Newsletter.  For the full text of Emmerich's book see: The Dolorous Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(6) The Mass

The Passion is designed to show how the 'sacrifice' of the Roman Catholic mass is the equivalent of the sacrifice on Calvary:

The purpose of the film is to juxtapose the "sacrifice of the cross with the sacrifice of the altar (mass) - which is the same thing" [Mel Gibson].

"The film ... links the sacrifice of the cross with the sacrifice of the Mass. In doing so, it faithfully depicts ... Catholic teaching" [A Guide to the Passion, published by Ascension Press and Catholic Exchange, p3].

"This film, for its author, is a Mass. Let it be, then, in an obscure language [the film is in Latin and Aramaic and is subtitled], as it was for so many centuries. If the mind does not understand, so much the better" [Catholic journalist Vittorio Messori].

But the Mass is blasphemous because it treats a created thing - a wafer - as God, and it is idolatrous because it worships the wafer it has deemed to be God.  The Bible tells us to "flee from idolatry" (1 Cor. 10:14). In contrast Anne Emmerich:

"never entered the church without her angel-guardian who taught her by his own example the homage due to the Eucharistic God" [Michael Brown, biographer of Emmerich].

KBN. This ‘angel-guardian’ is, in spiritualist’ language, a ‘familiar spirit’ – a demon.

Will not unbelieving viewers think that Roman Catholicism is the most faithful form of Christianity as a result of this film?  For more on this aspect of The Passion please see:

Mel Gibson's Movie is "A Mass" - David Cloud

KBN: It is very obvious from the above quotes that to take anyone to see the film is tantamount to giving them a false Gospel! The quotes cannot be ignored. Basically, the true Gospel is preached only when we give the Gospel as taught in scripture. Today, we must be careful not to taint what we say with the teachings of cults such as Roman Catholicism and spiritualism. It is my contention that if a reader has already taken anyone to see the film, he or she should repent and admit this to the person they took. Then, they must explain why they were wrong to take them, and continue to give the true Gospel message.

(7) Mary

In this film, Mary is consistently given exaltation that is not Biblically permissible. The following are just a few examples from many scenes exalting her beyond her biblical due:

The Lord Jesus is portrayed throughout as weak and bewildered, needing to draw strength from His mother. This is particularly noticeable during the scenes of His whipping when He would look into Mary’s eyes, also during the scenes on His way to the cross. [None of this is reflected in the Bible - DP & EMcD.]

Peter and John call Mary "Mother" (capitalized in the subtitles), and Peter confesses his denial of the Lord to Mary while she is seen to offer her 'forgiveness' to him.  [None of this is in the Bible - DP & EMcD.]

While on the cross, Mary kisses Jesus’ foot.  Blood runs down into her mouth, and she backs away “almost licking her lips with blood all over her face.” [Note how this event suggests the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation.] Also, Mary asks Jesus if she can die with Him, and after He is taken from the cross she is shown holding Him – this is a re-enactment of the Romish Pieta which depicts Mary as the suffering Mother who is co-redemptrix. [None of this is Biblical - DP & EMcD.]

Gibson actually stated his belief that Mary is a "tremendous co-redemptrix and mediatrix", and he is amazed that evangelicals are supporting The Passion so enthusiastically because, he says: "the film is so Marian".

Jim Caviezel the actor who plays 'Jesus', has said: "This film is something I believe was made by Mary for her son..." For more on the Marian emphasis in The Passion please see:

Errors in Mel Gibson's Movie - David Cloud

Gibson's Movie Helping Evangelicals See Mary in New Light - David Cloud;

Caution: 'The Passion' and Mary - Roger Oakland;

The Emperor's New Clothes - Matt Trewhella;

The Passion of Rome: To Bring All Home - Rebecca A. Sexton

(8) Images

Biblically, Christians are banned from having, or using, images of deities. This rule even forms part of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-5):

A film portraying the Lord Jesus surely amounts to "animated idolatry … If it is idolatrous to have an image of God (the Lord Jesus Christ) in your living room, it cannot be less evil to play the role of God (or watch a man play that role) in a movie or play" [Don Fortner].

"By pretending to be Jesus Christ, the actor in Gibson's movie (or any other such movie) is playing the part of an idol and those who support and defend it are idolaters. Beware, this is not a light matter. 1 John 5:21 exhorts believers to avoid idolatry, and the Bible would not say that if we were not capable of idolatry" [David Cloud].

"I saw a quote by [a well-known evangelist], addressing the impact viewing the film has had on him, saying, 'Every time I preach or speak about the Cross, the things I saw on the screen will be on my heart and mind.' How could that not include the bloody face of James Caviezel? ... his is the image that will forever remain in the psyche of captivated viewers worldwide when they think of Jesus Christ and close their eyes to pray in His name. What they will see in their mind's eye will be a lie - an idol - yes, a false Christ" [Paul Proctor].

The Bible's view of idols is uncompromising (see also Deuteronomy 4:15-16). For some excellent articles on the film's flouting of the second commandment, and pictorial representations of the Lord Jesus, please see the following:

Big Screen Jesus - Paul Proctor;

The Problem With 'The Passion' - Cecil Andrews;

Mel Gibson's Passion Undermines The Deity of Christ - Lorin Smith;

The Menace Of The Religious Movie - A.W. Tozer;

Idolatry in the Evangelical Camp - J. Virgil Dunbar & Richard Bennett

(9) Israel

The overwhelming proportion of Jewry portrayed in the film was so anti-Semitic that Gibson was forced to cut out some scenes.

"It would be impossible for any disinterested viewer (if one could be found) to escape the fact that 'The Passion' does not just mention in passing but is centered dramatically on the culpability of the Jews. This notion, sometimes called blood libel or blood guilt, has led to untold suffering and death over hundreds and hundreds of years, and should have given someone, even a believer, pause" [Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times].

"Even if the film is not intended to be anti-Semitic it may be used as an excuse for anti-Semitism. With the media's misreporting of the situation in Israel this film is only likely to strengthen feelings against the Jews and Israel" [Martin Emerson].

While not actively denying the holocaust, Mel Gibson has never publicly repudiated his father’s view that: “It’s all – maybe not all – fiction, but most of it is” [Interview reproduced in Newsday], and he has built a church for his father’s congregation in Los Angeles [Andrew Brown].

Additionally, The Passion distances the Lord from His Jewish heritage by giving Him Romanist features - which lends weight to the scurrilous view of the New Age that Mary liaised with a Roman soldier. Regarding Israel, God says "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee." Please also see:

Critic Calls Gibson Movie Anti-Semitic

(10) The Film’s Creator

It is claimed that Gibson is a true believer. In fact, he is a very strict Catholic who took Mass every day of the shoot. Therefore going to see The Passion would effectively legitimise the religion of Rome:

"The movie reflects my beliefs" [Mel Gibson]

"The catharsis for me to play this role was through Medjugorje [a shrine to Mary in Bosnia-Herzegovina at which visitors claim she appears and speaks to them - DP & EMcD] … In preparation, I used all that Medjugorje taught me. … I kept this [piece of the true cross] on me all the time. … I also had relics of Padre Pio, … Every day everyone could see me with the rosary in my hands" [Jim Caviezel].

Cardinal Ratzinger was advisor for The Passion, and (it is claimed that) Pope John Paul II endorsed the film.

"Watching this movie as a former Catholic I quickly saw ... all the symbolism and false doctrine cleverly hidden within 'The Passion of Christ' ... the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary, the scapular ... the stations of the cross, a 'chalice' instead of the Biblical 'cup', 'St' Veronica, clothing that looked like a nun's habit, ... the Eucharistic imagery ... most of all, it reminded me of the place of Mary in Roman Catholicism. ... Mel had several Jesuits helping him behind the scenes of the making of this movie. ... Jesuits are masters at brainwashing" [Rebecca A. Sexton].

"A question that demands an answer is this: 'Why are evangelicals promoting a movie produced by a man who has been deceived by Roman Catholicism and is now deceiving others?' ... Evangelicals promoting a Roman Catholic film would be equivalent to Paul endorsing a message proclaimed by the Judaizers (Gal 1:6-9)" [Mike Gendron].

Gibson's past films are well known for their violence, and many of them have seen him swearing and appearing naked. Incredibly, he cast five hardcore pornographic 'stars' in The Passion. It is very troubling that the leading actor could take the Name of the Lord in vain (when he forgot his lines during the filming of the Last Supper), and reputable sources have reported that there was both laughter and swearing amongst the principal actors during the filming of the crucifixion scenes (please see the articles below). It is surely highly inappropriate for there to be laughter during the 're-enactment' of the most pivotal and dreadful moment in the whole of human history.

"There were a great many people who witnessed the actual crucifixion of the Lord Jesus - and yet were the multitudes converted? Did a revival break out? No. Why, then, would the Lord bless the efforts of a Roman Catholic Hollywood actor/producer, who has broken the Lord's Word concerning idolatry and adding to Scripture, unto the salvation of lost souls? What abysmal darkness has descended on 'Evangelicals', that they could ever imagine such a thing? When the Lord of glory was crucified, the multitudes did not repent. Why would the Lord grant repentance to multitudes now, through a movie such as this? It is indeed a great outreach - but for Antichrist, not Christ" [Shaun Willcock].

For more on the Romish agenda, as well as the extremely un-Christlike and shocking features of The Passion Of The Christ, see:

The Passion of Rome: To Bring All Home - Rebecca A. Sexton;

The Passion of The Christ: A Catholic Trap - Paw Creek Ministries;

The Moral Vileness Intimately Associated With The Passion Of Christ - David Cloud;

Mel Gibson's Hall of Porn (& House of Horrors) - Barbara Aho;

The Passion of the Christ: Blooper Reel - Paul Ford

For excellent articles on the various aspects of the film we've briefly looked at, please visit:

That Movie - Tricia Tillin

Five Reasons Not to Go See The Passion of the Christ - Andrew J. Webb

The Passion of Christ: Mel Gibson's Vivid Deception - Richard Bennett & J. Virgil Dunbar

Where's Luther, We Need Reformation - Kelly McGinley

Indifference or Ignorance: The Practice of Idolatry Within the Church - R. Bennett & R. Paquette

The Poison in the Passion - Terry Watkis

The Passion of the Christ: Outreach for Antichrist - Shaun Willcock

Mel Gibson's Movie: (Index of Articles) - David Cloud

Should Christians Have Passion For The Passion? (Index of Articles) - Retaking America

The Passion (Index of Articles) - Cutting Edge

(Please note: We believe the above are basically sound in themselves. However, this should not be taken as any kind of endorsement of the writers' wider ministries)

We are surely wise to avoid the film.  We should simply love the Truth and obey God's commands as given in His Holy Scriptures.  If we do this we will produce fruit and are far more likely to win our unsaved loved ones to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Bible never tells us that the end justifies the means.  God bless you.

Elizabeth McDonald and Dusty Peterson (27 March 2004. Last updated 30 May 2004)

KBN: Conclusion

The notes produced by Elizabeth and Dusty are extremely important and highlight the fact that countless Christians have been duped by the film. It is my own belief that they are duped not so much by the film itself, but by their own spiritual deficiencies:

Lack of Discernment

Those who have a genuine love of the Lord and for the lost, will want to know as much as they can about God’s word. Not just by a simple reading of scripture, but by coming under teaching of the truth by ministers called by God. I remember warning Christians not to attend Toronto Blessing meetings. Sadly, many went on to do so, and suffered the consequences. Even if you have a lack of discernment, you ought not to reject what ministers ordained by God tell you. Warnings are not just empty words – they are given so that Christians do not fall into traps set by Satan!

Lack of Truth

Those who lack discernment inevitably lack the truth also. Generally, they might follow a broadly Christian path – but they will ‘prefer’ their own versions of the truth, even when they cannot be sustained by scripture. This is blatant sin and an ignorance backed by pride…they know far better than scripture and far better than any minister they care not to listen to! Because they lack truth, they will always be prime targets for Satan’s deceptions. These are the folk who are sucked-in to such movements as the Toronto Blessing. They have ‘private’ interpretations of scripture (though we are warned that we may not), which often conflict with those given by called ministers. Again, pride is their foundation.

Lack of Love

Such people outwardly claim to love their fellow men. But, how can they, if they reject the wisdom given by called ministers and go ahead and visit the film, especially with unsaved others? What kind of love deliberately avoids truth and takes the unsaved into a lion’s den? Their love is only superficial, a veneer that covers a sinful self that thinks it knows better than God and those He sends to teach.

Lack of Theology

Those who have their own ‘preferences’ of interpretation will not appreciate truthful and real theology. They will use Arminian means to reach people, though God specifically tells us that reaching the lost is His province! Such folk will doggedly reject election and take the unsaved to a secular film that portrays violence of a horrific nature, downplaying the genuine Gospel of Christ (as we have seen above). Then, when they see tears in their victims (for that is really what their unsaved friends are), they will pounce and try to milk the emotions for all they are worth!

I must repeat – this is Arminian heresy and the use of ‘techniques’, NOT scriptural truth! It is to reject scripture as it is written, in favour of satisfying one’s own emotional hang-ups. It is to portray the Gospel wrongly, in humanistic terms, so that one can feel better and think, wrongly, that the Gospel has been taught. It is to spit in God’s face. It is to reduce the suffering of Christ to the level of a pornographic movie – indeed, the film had a number of hard-core pornographic ‘actors’ in it anyway!

If you have seen the film, do not try to tell me that intentions were honourable, if called ministers have already warned you not to watch the film! You are without excuse and need to repent. If you have taken a poor victim to this film, then go to them and admit your error. Tell them you have repented and why. Then tell them the simple account of Christ’s suffering, but quickly, instead, emphasise the fact of His love, and that He has arisen. Tell them that if God is indeed calling them, they must repent and be saved. But, at all costs, do not degenerate into your old Arminianism and hype the suffering in order to get their emotions running high! It is GOD Who saves, not you, or your emotional trickery! So, once you have told them the truth, leave it at that – do not constantly urge them to pray or seek God.

We trust that these pages will teach a much needed lesson to all who think they can play hard and fast with God’s word, using secular and Satanic movies as a representation of the true Gospel. Repent, my friend, if you have already done the foul deed, for your life will not be blessed by your empty and sinful acts.

What Catholics Say

“The Passion of the Christ offers…(an) opportunity for you to spread, strengthen, and share the Catholic faith with your family and friends.” A book was produced to accompany the film, entitled ‘A Guide to the Passion’. It contains 100 questions that direct the reader, and the watcher of the film, to the Catholic church. (‘Bread of Angels’ website).

A Catholic publisher that reprints ‘Sister’ Emmerich’s book, in its review, speaks of “(Christ’s) superhumanly heroic act of Redemption.” Thus, it describes Christ’s crucifixion only as an act of human will that is nothing more than ordinary heroism. It is, then, Arminian…and is often referred to as the ‘fifth Gospel’! (Aquinas and More). It is not surprising to find that the book is now selling well, though it was out of print for some time. Yet another pointer toward Catholicism. (I have a copy of Emmerich’s manuscript).

Christian Views

Sadly, in a poll hosted by Christianity.com 86% of those who responded said they would take a friend to see the film. This is not just an act of ignorance; it is an act of folly, perpetrated by Satan to deceive as many as possible and to blur the edges between truth and Catholicism.

Dial-the-Truth Ministries correctly advises all believers to test the spirits, even though the whole world appears to be enthralled by the film. This is good advice, for Satan will use powerful messages that are close to the truth, in order to deceive.

The fantasy woven into the film has already been mentioned. Take these examples: in the opening scene Jesus stamps on a snake that tries to make him avoid his destiny. In another scene creatures looking like berserk monkeys try to affect Christ. In another there are demonic children. There are birds that pluck out crucified men’s eyes…the list goes on, and none of them are found in scripture.

Mel Gibson was in a nunnery library and he says that the book by Catherine Emmerich ‘miraculously dropped into his hands’ as he attempted to reach for an entirely different book. That was the start and the inspiration for his film – not scripture. Emmerich was a nun in Germany, who had a ‘mysterious power’ that emanated from her. Those who have knowledge, know that this is what can be said of any person who is affected by demons.

She frequently practised the occult art of levitation, and was witnessed hovering above the ground many times. She also practiced ‘astral projection’ (out-of-body). During some of her claimed journeys she says that she watched the execution of King Louis 16^th and visited Marie Antoinette in prison. She also claimed to enter purgatory to visit the souls being tortured…this being a lie, for purgatory does not exist.

She bore stigmata and only ate the biscuits used for Mass in her last 12 years. She had many supernatural visions (no wonder, if she never ate proper food!), and she even claimed to have seen the actual crucifixion of Christ. It was her accounts of these visions that led Gibson to make his film, not scripture.  Gibson so reveres this deceived and demonically-controlled woman, that he carries a piece of her habit in his pocket.

This woman said that the Roman Catholic church was the only true church; that Mary was the Church, and the Church was our mother. She said that all good that has ever been shown in this world is a direct result of the mystery of the Mass. Christianity Today reported that Mel Gibson ‘filled out’ parts of the Gospels with this woman’s writings. It is this very method – of mixing truth with lies – that is used by cults and occultic persons through the ages. It is how Romanism exists. It is how successful movements such as the Alpha course exist. It is how charismatic deceptions thrive and live. Behind them all is Satan, the arch-enemy.

In one scene of the film, the two Mary’s are given linen by Pilate’s wife, which they then use to mop up the blood spilled by Christ onto the floor. This is not from scripture – it is from the nun’s book. Indeed, a number of scenes are taken directly from the nun’s book. For more examples go to Dial-the-Truth ministries website.

Gibson himself belongs to a breakaway Catholic sect that says the current papacy is heretical. He had Latin Mass every day the film was being shot, and says that many miracles occurred because of the script…such as a man struck by lightning getting up and walking away unharmed, and people healed of diseases! Thus, every Christian who sees the film is unintentionally supporting his view of God and the heresies of Romanism. And even the anti-Semitism in the film came from the nun’s book.

Whilst Catholic and Jewish leaders spoke of anti-Semitism, Gibson ignored them and instead played the film privately to a group of Colorado ministers. He told them that “The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film and I was just directing traffic…I hope the film has the power to evangelise.”  This statement, it seems, was the basis of future claims for the film being an evangelistic tool!

His beliefs regarding the present papacy as ‘anti-popes’ comes from his father, who rails against them strongly, ever since Vatican Two. Gibson’s father claims that Vatican Two has destroyed the truth of Catholicism, and was funded by Masons backed by Jews. This is certainly inflammatory, and agrees with Jewish concerns. Gibson’s father, who is supported financially and spiritually by Mel, is not just a sedevacantist (someone who does not recognise the pope), but he also preaches that the Holocaust did not happen, mixing freely with Nazi and other anti-Semite apologists! He even spoke at their annual conference. Whilst Gibson has not publicly repudiated his father’s views, he nevertheless supports his church, which he built for a cost over $4 million. (This account taken from the Adelaide Institute, and a review in The Weekend Australian, July 2003).

With such an occult background, any Christian with discernment will know that to see the film would be an act of extreme folly, with the very real possibility of having his or her faith altered, if not destroyed. Satan prompted Mel Gibson to produce a film that is inaccurate and pro-Catholic. What more information is needed to persuade Christians not to see this film? I repeat the warning if you have already watched the film – repent and cast out all imprints it has had on your mind and heart. Tell those who you may have taken to watch it, that you have done so. If you do not, you will reap things you do not wish to have, including a diminished faith, that starts to reject truth and opens up dialogue with Satan and his manufactured religious ideas.

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