"The Jesus Film" 

From Evangelical Times letters page January 2002

Dear Sir, We have read with interest your articles and comments regarding the above subject. We joined up with a mission organisation in South Africa that regularly showed this film to crowds of Zulu people, sometimes num­bering well over 300.

 The mission leader said that in all the years of normal preaching few were saved but that, through the film, countless souls had been saved. Understandably, we were very enthusiastic about this work.

We showed the film three times a week (to predominantly young people) since we made no charge and most people had noth­ing to do in the evening. We got an over­whelming response from the 'altar call', and believed the film to be the latest tool the Spirit was using.

However, as the days went by, we no­ticed that time and time again, the same peo­ple who had responded to the film before, put up their hands to again receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. 

We became troubled by this lack of un­derstanding and wondered what might be done. No further tracts or teachings were given but a pastor was on hand to gather the respondents and 'church' them. 

To our surprise (or lack of it), that church grew by perhaps 10 or 20 folk, which later fell to about 10. At each meeting we counted over 200 'decisions for Christ', yet only a minority followed this through.

 One of our criticisms of the film was that it played on the emotions of the people. We concluded that the people were think­ing: 'Poor Jesus, he needs our help', while many said: 'What a terrible way to die'. What they failed to understand is that people were often crucified in those days. The film, while of historical benefit, cannot show the true nature of what happened on the cross. The unseen work of Christ on the cross is paramount.

 David and Anne Kellar

Potter's Hands Ministry (Missionaries from UK)       

Some points to consider:- by Chalan Hetherington

We are living in a day and age where it seems that many Christians have forgotten, or have never been shown in the Word of God that any  "image" made of God  is a violation of the second commandment. The Word of God also tells us that Christ is the express image of God, (Colossians 1:15) begotten of the Father, not created, therefore we must never make an "image" of Christ.

Further, "an image" of Christ  also blemishes our proper thoughts of Him. The focus of the believer will then taken away from Christ's Word to the image of something other than Himself. What God has desired for us to learn of His Son, is not what He may or may not have looked like, but rather what He has said, and what He did, for us.

As the Word of God alone is "the power of God unto salvation" any other narrative, other than God's Word, has the potential to give undue emphasis - whether it be; Christ's physical agony or His spiritual and emotional agony. This trait undoubtedly characterises both "the Jesus"  film and the "Passion of the Christ" film or any other film that makes an image of Christ, the express image of God.. 

There will be much spurious faith where such films are watched and many will feel that these films “moved people” and those who felt moved will feel that they have had some kind of spiritual experience. Whereas they were only emotionally moved.

True believers, we are told, will however worship God in Spirit and in truth, because they have been given a new heart and new mind which has been transformed by the Holy Spirit. Whereas these films work upon the emotion and leave the mind disengaged!

We are told that many stood by and witnessed our Lord's execution in shock and horror, but He said: “do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children” Luke 23:28-30

1 Corinthians 21-25 says “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men”.

by Chalan Hetherington

Listen to The Passion film - To see or not to see:Albert N. Martin - Trinity Baptist Church

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