Quite simply, I detest the movie "The Passion" for the following reasons.

1. It is a violation of Scripture. The Lord said, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above...Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them" (Exodus 20:4-5). What audacity for a sinful man to act "in the likeness" of the Lord of glory! That reason alone is sufficient to set anyone who believes the Word of God in opposition to this movie.

2. It only sets forth physical sufferings of Christ and those were not the agonies that satisfied divine justice. The Father poured out upon His dear Son infinite wrath, and that upon His soul! "It pleased the LORD to bruise Him...Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin" (Isaiah 53:10).

3. It leads people to feel sorry for Jesus. Many, after viewing this movie, have said there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd as they exited the theater. The Lord of glory doesn't want or need anyone's sympathy. On the way to the cross, He said to some sorrowing women, "Weep not for me" (Luke 23:28). His death did not take place so people would have sympathy for the Son of God. It happened so that God might be just and Justifier.

4. It will not lead anyone to believe on Christ. "But isn't it possible that as a result of seeing the horrors of the physical sufferings of Jesus, someone might be saved?" Thousands saw the real crucifixion, and the physical sight of Jesus dying the agonizing death of the cross did not change them. Salvation is not due to an emotional disturbance because you realize some of His physical tortures. Salvation comes to sinners when, by the power of the Spirit, they are made aware of the absolute holiness of God, the sinfulness of self, the vast distance between them and this righteous God, and that the only One Who can bring them to God is the Lord Jesus, Who by His work of redemption saved His people from their sins.

5. It does not set forth the true gospel of grace, substitution and satisfaction; it is a false gospel. The Lord is not so desperate that He uses a false gospel to save His people. "They shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me" (John 6:45). Perhaps someone is thinking, "But the movie has received the approval of so many of today's religious leaders, spanning denominational lines. Isn't that evidence it is a good thing?" Frankly, that is a clear indication it is a bad thing. I know it is being extolled as a great evangelistic tool, but when Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, the Pope, and countless other religious leaders sing its praises, that ought to send up red flags that there is something seriously wrong.

6. This movie does not tell why Christ died. Why did He die? He died to satisfy the justice of God that requires death for sin (Romans 6:23). He died so that God could in righteousness deal with the sins of His people, and in mercy embrace us (Romans 3:24-26). He died to put away the sins of all those for whom He died (Hebrews 9:26). He died to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18).

7. "But pastor, since you believe the Lord controls all things, didn't this movie, therefore, come to pass according to the purpose of God?" I am persuaded this movie is a strong delusion, sent by the Lord upon those who would not receive the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).