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Editor's Picks
An Intensely Personal Film
Its central message: Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins. By Pat Robertson
The Problem with "The Passion"
If a story is used to cause more hate than it is hope, it may be not the healthiest story to tell at this moment. By Rabbi Brad Hirschfield
Hymn to a Savage God
The movie, like the non-biblical book it's based on, depicts a theology of vicarious atonement in ghastly detail. By John Dominic Crossan
Picking the Wrong Villain Premium
Pulitzer prize winner Jack Miles weighs in on the film's Aramaic, its artistry, and why Mel should have played up Satan and played down the Jewish high priest.
Scholarly Smackdown Premium
New Testament scholars Ben Witherington III and John Dominic Crossan exchange views on the movie's religious themes.
Catholic Elements in "The Passion"
The Stations of the Cross, the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, and Catholic mystics' visions shape Gibson's work.
Link: Jerusalem in Jesus' Day
A brief timeline of events and an overview of the city's Jewish-Roman tensions.
What Christians Must Watch for in "The Passion"
Gibson has embellished the Gospel text, using stereotypical religious imagery that may be harmful. By Fr. John T. Pawlikowski and Rabbi David Sandmel
The "Passion" Gap Premium
How Christians and Jews misunderstand each other. By Steven Waldman
The Real Tragedy of "The Passion" Premium
Gibson's portrayal of Jews is worrisome. The response should be to ask him use the film's proceeds to teach Jesus' real message.
By Rabbi David Wolpe
Gibson's Two Movies
Christians and Jews need to understand what the other group is seeing in "The Passion of the Christ." By Dennis Prager
Why "Passion" Troubles Me
Jews are portrayed as sinister, while Pilate's role is sanitized. By Rabbi James Rudin
The "Passion" Gap Premium
How Christians and Jews misunderstand each other. By Steven Waldman
The Real Tragedy of "The Passion" Premium
Gibson's portrayal of Jews is worrisome. The response should be to ask him use the film's proceeds to teach Jesus' real message.
By Rabbi David Wolpe
Summer 2003: The Real Problem With "Passion"
The movie itself may or may not be anti-Semitic. But the response to critics smacks of anti-Semitism. By Amy-Jill Levine
Traditionalist vs. Schismatic Catholics
Mel Gibson is a traditionalist Catholic, but it's not clear where he falls in the Catholic spectrum. From Beliefnet's 2001 archives, an overview of the issues.
Why I Won't Be Seeing "The Passion"
Yes, the violence of the Passion was real. But an individual's pain is private, and it can be obscene to expose its details to public view. By Philip Lawler
Brutally Honest, or Just Brutal?
How much blood and violence are necessary for the crucifixion story to be authentic? By Dr. Bruce N. Fisk
Should We Linger Over Jesus' Suffering? Premium
There's a reason why the gospels don't focus on the crucifixion's blood and gore. By Frederica Mathewes-Green
Why Is Mel Gibson Censoring Me?
Gibson is requiring viewers to sign a Statement of Confidentiality in order to promote interest by secrecy and conspiracy. By John Dominic Crossan
An Intensely Personal Film
Its central message: Jesus Christ suffered, and died, for our sins. By Pat Robertson
The Meaning of The Passion
Beyond the debate about Mel Gibson's film, what is the spiritual significance of Jesus' suffering and death? By Reverend Lloyd Prator
'I Call This a Miracle'
Thanks to the power of Mel Gibson's film, Christians can see Jesus' suffering like no other generation has. By J. Lee Grady
Not a Murder Victim
Gibson portrays Jesus' death as a self-sacrifice. By Cal Thomas
What African-Americans May See in "Passion"
The movie may resonate deeply with blacks, who have, since the slave period, understood Jesus as a victim of state-sponsored terror. By Robert M. Franklin
Who Killed Jesus? Debating the Role of Romans, Jews, and Today's Christians
Who Killed Jesus?
We can't place accountability on any specific group. By John Dominic Crossan
The Gospel Untruth
The argument that Jews, not Romans, killed Jesus rests on a historically implausible premise: that Pontius Pilate was a persuadable guy. By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
'His Blood Be on Us': Understanding Matthew 27:25
If the verse meant only the Jews bear responsibility for Jesus' death, it would overturn Christian theology. Christians want Jesus' saving blood on them. By David Klinghoffer
Q: Who Killed Jesus? A: Today's Christians
The Jews didn't cause the death of Jesus, nor did the Romans. They were merely instruments carrying out what God had decreed. By Charles Colson
Should We Linger Over Jesus' Suffering? Premium
There's a reason why the gospels don't focus on the crucifixion's blood and gore. By Frederica Mathewes-Green
The Meaning of The Passion
Jesus' suffering shows us what it's like when God decides to love the whole human race on its own terms. By Reverend Lloyd Prator
Interfaith Relations & Guides from Religious Leaders
Link: "Passion" 'Dos' and 'Don'ts'
Constructive ways to address Jewish-Christian issues raised by "The Passion." By J. Shawn Landres
The Meaning of The Passion
Beyond the debate about Mel Gibson's film, what is the spiritual significance of Jesus' suffering and death? By Reverend Lloyd Prator
The Way of the Cross (Flash required)
Beliefnet's audiovisual feature tracing Jesus' Passion and death
More
"Why Focus on Anti-Semitism?"
Jews and evangelical Christians share so much common ground, a movie shouldn't drive them apart. By Ted Haggard
