HAVE NOT SEEN MEL GIBSON'S MOVIE The Passion of the Christ, but I have read much about what serious and not-so-serious writers, critics, and applauders have written about it. I have heard comments from those who have been moved by it and those who have been repulsed by it. A recent issue of Dialogue carries two viewpoints about the movie. The Adventist Review carried the opinion of its editor: he chose not to see it because he is repulsed by anything violent. Letters from readers were divided on the opinions of the esteemed editor.

For myself, I am somewhat uncertain about the whole issue. On one hand the content of the movie is not altogether faithful to the biblical narrative, and seems to be largely supportive of the Roman Catholic position on Christ's passion. At least that's the opinion of some reviewers, and Mel Gibson makes no apology for leaning on Catholic sources and interpretations for his version of history's greatest event.

On the other hand there is violence—much too much—gory, bloody, and repulsive. But then the Bible records lots of violence--from the time Cain crushed his brother in cold blood, to Jacob's sons' revenge for their sister's rape, to David's premeditated murder of Uriah as a cover-up for a momentary pleasure, to Herod's offer of the Baptist's head on a silver platter to please his partner in sin.

So why am I confused? Why am I uncertain about watching a movie such as The Passion of the Christ? My reason is a young man whom I shall call Prem. Some 13 years ago I got to know him in a series of evangelistic meetings. He attended all the meetings faithfully, studied the Bible with great enthusiasm, accepted the Sabbath and other core Adventist teachings, and after much prayer and study stepped into the baptismal pool. When he came out, he had a glow about him—something only those who come from a non-Adventist background and have experienced the joy of conversion and new birth will readily understand. He was studying in a government college, but he wanted to go to an Adventist college; and he did so with some of my persuasion and support. Two years later he left the college and wrote me one of the saddest letters I have ever received. The college dismissed him because he went to see a movie—Fiddler on the Roof, of all things.

That single act separated him from the church for good; our correspondence ceased. But last year I happened to meet him, and we had a long talk. I didn't want him to be bitter about the church or the college. I explained that moviegoing is discouraged in the Church Manual (pages 168, 169 refer to violence, and dramatized, graphic portrayals), and the college has to uphold the church standards.

Prem was not bitter, but he showed me some magazines put out by Adventists elsewhere, containing reviews of movies, TV programs, and other entertainments. He also told me of one city where local movie theaters advertise the local Adventist college. In passing, he also said that there are colleges abroad that chaperone groups of Adventist kids to theaters. Next time I see him, I know he will ask me if it is OK for Adventist churches to sponsor, pay for, and take groups of Adventists to watch Mel Gibson's movie—a graphic, dramatized, violent film.

For every Prem there are several others still being dismissed from Adventist schools and colleges in some parts of the world for going to movies. My question is: Are we consistent as a global church? That inconsistency causes my confusion. My confusion gets confounded if organized churches take to sponsoring movie events, even if that movie depicts the glorious, incomparable suffering our Lord went through for our sake.

As for me, I would choose to read the book The Desire of Ages, and spend the "thoughtful hour" contemplating the life of Christ that Ellen White mentioned long ago. I can gain from there a greater understanding of the passion of my Lord than from any other source.

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John M. Fowler is associate director of the General Conference Education Department.