March 3, 2004 (David Cloud, Way of Life - Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ is intimately associated with the moral vileness of those involved in its production. Monica Bellucci, the actress who plays Mary Magdalene in Gibson's movie, posed for the 2001 GQ Italia Totally Nude calendar. She has appeared nude or nearly nude in many movies, including Irreversible, Melena, Brotherhood of the Wolf, a Dracula movie, and Under Suspicion. Describing the film Irreversible, a professional movie reviewer says it "makes pure pornography look pretty appealing in comparison." The reviewer, Steve Rhodes, said it should be rated X, and based on his reviews of other films, it is obvious that he is no "prude." The movie has a ten minute anal rape scene featuring Mrs. Bellucci. The Society for the Promotion of Community Standards gave this warning about Bellucci's Irreversible: "Premiered at last years Cannes Film Festival, 'Irreversible' proved so shocking that 250 people walked out, some needing medical attention" and described the movie as "hard-core pornography" (www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0303/S00182.htm).

Two of the other actresses in Gibson's Jesus movie have pornographic photos plastered all over the Internet: Rosita Celentano, who plays Satan, and Claudia Gerini, who plays Pilate's wife. Maia Morgenstern, who plays Jesus' mother Mary in the film, also starred in a vile 1997 movie entitled Witman fiuk. Much more could be said along these lines about other actors in The Passion of the Christ, but instead we will look at the producer himself. Mel Gibson has made the millions that he used to finance the movie through his roles in R-rated films that have contributed significantly to the moral debasement of society, such as Mad Max, Braveheart, Payback, and the extremely violent Lethal Weapon series. In the latter Gibson played a rogue policeman who excels in violence. Most of his movies are filled with foul language and profanity, including those he has made during the past 12 years since, according to his own testimony, he has been dreaming about making The Passion of the Christ. The Payback movie, for example, contained at least 94 instances of cursing (including the most vile words) and filthy language and using the name of the Lord in vain, according to one reviewer. Gibson also starred in the sexually debauched 2000 film What Women Want. In this movie Gibson played "a character named Nick whose goal in life was to bed all the women his lustful heart desired." One Christian reviewer summarized Gibson's movies as follows: "The legacy of Mel Gibson has been sexual immorality, profanity, coarse jesting, extreme violence and vigilantism" (Joseph Herrin, The Passion of Mel Gibson, http://www.watch-unto-prayer.org/cast.html#gerini).

The Word of God warns about this type of thing. Mel Gibson is no doubt sincere in his desire to produce a movie that depicts the suffering of Christ, but he is sincerely deceived. His life indicates that he has never been born again and thus has no spiritual wisdom and discernment. Ephesians 5:3-11 3 ¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 FOR THIS YE KNOW, THAT NO WHOREMONGER, NOR UNCLEAN PERSON, NOR COVETOUS MAN, WHO IS AN IDOLATER, HATH ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND OF GOD. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ARE YOU SAYING THAT CHRISTIANS ARE PERFECT? I hear someone protesting, "Who are you to say that Christians have to be perfect; who are you to judge?" The answer to this is that I do not think that Christians are perfect; I know very well that believes still have a sin nature even after they are born again; but I also know that the Bible says a true believer has a changed life.

And it warns repeatedly and strongly about hypocrisy and false professions. Consider these verses: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:202-3). "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:3-4). "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:15-16).

The true salvation of God is not by works; it is solely by God's free grace in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9); but at the same time, the true salvation of God produces good works (Eph. 2:10). BUT WHAT ABOUT EVANGELISM? This movie as upheld almost universally as an evangelistic opportunity. I can see that it could be used as an opportunity for evangelism, but only with a serious qualification. It can be an evangelistic opportunity for those that seek to assist the unsaved who have seen the movie AS LONG AS THE MOVIE ITSELF IS NOT USED AS THE MEDIUM FOR EVANGELISM. I have heard from several brethren who are doing this. They know that the movie is not godly or scriptural and they are not using the movie itself for evangelism, because they know that it is not a proper medium and that it has as much potential to confuse the gospel as to present it; but they have prepared gospel materials to distribute to those who have seen the movie or who are thinking about the subject of the movie in order to lead them to the truth. I must be quick to say that I doubt that many people who see and love this movie will subsequently be open to full-orbed biblical truth that includes an exposure of idolatry, an emphasis on the pre-eminence of faith, and a bold defense of the faith against every heresy. Think about that. Evangelicals and fundamentalists who are supporting this movie are supporting godless movie theaters, a Roman Catholic producer who preaches a false gospel, an R-rated Hollywood movie star, and a movie that is based on the Mary-centered visions of deluded Catholic mystics.