NCC offers reflection guide for "Passion of the Christ" film.

A reflection guide to Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" is offered by the National Council of Churches (NCC) to help Christians think through issues raised by the film.

"The Passion of the Christ," opens Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, and already has generated both rave reviews and controversy. The NCC Interfaith Relations Commission, which issued the guide, does not comment on the film but rather offers Christian viewers a framework in which to see and discuss it. The guide is available on the NCC website www.ncccusa.org.

The guide recognizes that the story of Christ's Passion is deeply meaningful to Christians and that dramatic depictions can be a powerful experience of faith. Such depictions also have a tragic history, sometimes leading to the labeling of Jews as "Christ-killers" and to acts of violence against Jews. Many Christian and Jewish leaders are concerned that the movie might set back decades of Jewish-Christian relations, an NCC release said.

Addressing the question "Who killed Jesus?" the guide reminds readers that Jesus was born a Jew and lived as a Jew to the end. It encourages Christians to read at least two Gospel accounts of Christ's Passion along with commentary on the religious and political context of the gospels. Movie viewers are asked to discuss how the film portrays Jews, and to consider specific steps to build or strengthen relationships with Jewish people and institutions.

Source: Newsline 2/20/2004
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