"The Passion of the Christ" ranks as the most controversial film of all time, according to Entertainment Weekly. "The magazine ranks the 25 films that have most shocked, disgusted and divided moviegoers, in its June 16 issue, on newsstands Monday." Now isn't that interesting? If you've seen the movie, it followed the line of scripture pretty well with the exception of a couple of Gibson's influences budding up in the film. I remember when the movie came out people tried to come up with anything and everything to talk about except the fact that this Jewish carpenter who had been brutally crucified would sit up in His grave and walk out. That is the heart of controversy, despite how so many try to smooth it over today. We are confronted with this and called to decision. The central themes of the gospel are often seen in many of our most popular movies and literature. It is because something in our hearts longs to connect with God's story of redemption. We root for the underdog, we champion the hero of virtue and sacrifice, and we celebrate evidences of grace. These longings point to something greater that each of us thirst for above all else. The historical events of the gospel are the greatest events that mankind will ever know and we simply can't outdo them in our wildest imaginations and biggest film budgets. Obviously, this is more than just interacting with a controversial flick or having a best selling book (although the Bible is the best selling "book" of all time). It is encountering the very purpose of life in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4). It also serves as a reminder that truth is always more interesting and divisive than heresy. In case you were wondering the Da Vinci code placed 13th on the list, oh well, maybe next time Hollywood.
