Is not "The Passion" only a film?
Yes, that is true. It is only a film. And a pornographic magazine is only a collection of pictures and stories. We must judge the medium and its content separately by the Word of God alone. In our example, a magazine is an allowable form of communication, as there are no prohibitions against such printing in Scripture. But the photographs of naked bodies and lascivious stories are not allowed. There are plenty of Bible verses condemning both of them. So we are confident and correct in condemning pornographic magazines, though we cheerfully allow other magazines.
Regarding a movie, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with communicating information or entertainment by way of high speed engraving of still photos on celluloid to make a moving picture. The intense images on the screen wittily capture many aspects of the real things filmed. So far so good! But any content pertaining to the Person or worship of God Himself is forbidden, for He has said that graven images or likenesses of anything pertaining directly to Him or His worship are wrong (Ex 20:4; Deut 4:15-26; 5:8). These verses are sufficient to any man who fears God and believes the Bible. Film should not be used to represent any aspect of the Divine Being.
Note that the first commandment condemns having other gods (Ex 20:3); the second condemns making graven images or any likenesses of God, or bowing down to them (Ex 20:4). It does not matter at all if you do not worship the movie actor or the movie, for you have only saved yourself from part of the second commandment. The second commandment first forbids even making such a likeness of the Son of God. Why in the world would a person even want to bark against this commandment? Leave God and His Son alone in making film images and likenesses!
Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” is 126 minutes of visual likenesses of the Son of God, the Man Christ Jesus, Who embodied the fullness of the Godhead (Col 2:9). It is clearly wrong to attempt intense and intimate visual likenesses of Jesus Christ by filming a profane actor, who cannot even imagine Jesus Christ’s character, person, actions, speech, and purpose. This is an obvious violation of the second commandment to any who tremble before the word of God.
Why does a person even go to see a movie about Jesus Christ? Consider it well. Because they want to have their spirit toward Christ provoked … to advance their worship of Him! Why do so many leave the theater sobbing and crying after “The Passion”? Because they have been affected emotionally by a false image of Jesus Christ! There is worship involved and the image on the screen is taking the place of the Son of God in the minds and hearts of the viewers. This is a blatant violation of the second commandment.
James Caviezel and all the special effects of man cannot even approach the glory of the Son of God, even in His state of humility on earth. Therefore, any portrayal of Jesus Christ by an actor is a clear detraction from the glory of Jesus Christ in both His humanity and divinity. God is jealous (Ex 20:5; 34:14). There is nothing known to man to compare to Him (Is 40:25; 46:5). He will not give His glory to another by any means (Is 42:8). God is to be worshipped with reverence and godly fear, for He is still a consuming fire; and making a movie about His Son is a terrible affront to His holy and jealous nature (Heb 12:28-29).
