Perspectives on The Passion of the Christ : religious thinkers and writers explore the issues raised by the controversial movie.

Format:

Book

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gibson, Mel.

Passion of the Christ (Motion picture).

Jesus Christ--Motion pictures.

Jesus Christ.

Motion pictures.

Gibson, Mel--Criticism and interpretation.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

xii, 288 pages ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, N.Y. : Miramax Books, [2004]

Summary:

Since its release on Ash Wednesday 2004, The Passion of the Christ has become a commercial success of astonishing proportions, already ranking as one of the highest grossing films of all time. At the same time, it has created a torrent of controversy and debate, provoking passionate responses -- both negative and positive -- from people of widely divergent backgrounds and beliefs. It has exposed fundamental differences of opinion and belief about everything from the historical truth of the Bible to the political power of Hollywood. Perspectives on the Passion of the Christ gathers together contributions from theologians, journalists, academics, and philosophers representing a wide spectrum of views and backgrounds. From the film's theological and historical underpinnings, to its cinematic and cultural implications, here is a balanced and thought-provoking exploration of the vital questions raised by The Passion of the Christ. Jews and Christians, evangelicals and agnostics, filmmakers and scholars -- the film elicits fascinating responses from all. Among others, Jon Meacham of Newsweek looks hard at the historical record and asks, "Who Really Killed Jesus?" Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite asks why such an exceptionally violent movie has been embraced by so many conservative Christians and argues that The Passion of the Christ presents Jesus as a hero in a war movie; Rabbi Eugene Korn considers the movie's potential impact on interfaith relations; and Steve Martin offers an oblique comic view, from the perspective of a Hollywood insider. Full of insight into a phenomenon that has raised so many burning and complex issues, this collection is the indispensable guide to understanding the cultural lightning rod that is The Passion of the Christ.

Contents:

Who really killed Jesus? / Jon Meacham

The other Jesus : how a Jewish reformer lost his Jewish identity / Jay Tolson and Linda Kulman

Gospel truths : Hollywood, history, and Christianity / Paula Fredriksen

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much : assembling a passion drama from the four Gospels / Philip Cunningham

The death of Jesus and the death of the Temple / Lawrence Frizzell

Numb struck : an Evangelical reflects on Gibson's Passion / Ben Witherington III

The last station : a Catholic reflection on The Passion / James Martin

The Passion and the message / Jim Wallis

Mel makes a war movie / Susan Thistlethwaite

Seeing different movies, talking past each other / Mary C. Boys

Jesus of Hollywood / Adele Reinhartz

Commitment to community : interfaith relations and faithful witness / Eugene Korn and John Pawlinkowski

First take the log out of you own eye : different viewpoints, different movies / Amy-Jill Levine

Selling Passion / Deborah Caldwell

Ad hoc scholars report

The worship of blood / Leon Wieseltier

Jesus nation, Catholic Christ / Stephen Prothero

Steve Martin, "Script notes."

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

1401359590

OCLC:

55860068