I still haven’t seen ‘The Passion’.

I missed the free preview because I was running the Forge Intensive – I had intended to go with one of my neighbours but he was flat out busy last week – and now I’m not sure I’ll bother…

I’m already fairly familiar with the story line.

Why the change?…

I guess I’ve just never been a big fan of Jesus movies and this one looks like a particularly difficult one to stomach. I also feel a bit cynical at all the evangelistic hype that has surrounded the movie – with some people seeing it as the kickstart to the next revival.

Before reading the endless stream of reviews I had thought I’d go with some of my neighbours if they were interested – but funnily enough only one has expressed interest. It certainly is’t the talking point of the street at present. And the more reviews I read the less I sense it would be suitable for a person who is not yet a Christian.

Here are two quotes from Brian McClaren’s latest article that echoes some of what I feel. Thanks to Mike for the steer in this direction.

“Modern American Christians can be trusted to bounce and bound like golden retrievers from one silver-bullet “outreach opportunity” to the next-seeking single source shortcuts to complete our mission, which we hope to finish as soon as possible, I guess so we can all get to heaven so the world and its troubles are left behindâ„¢. Maybe it’s a boxed set of books and videos, mass rallies, radio/TV/satellites, the Internet, PowerPoint, or seeker services. Or else it’s adult contemporary praise music, electing Republicans, or a new booklet or tract. Maybe it’s candles! Or a new model (take your pick from traditional-modern, contemporary-modern, or postmodern-modern) for “doing church.” Or a new film.”

As usual evangelism is never as simple as the next great idea…

I have no doubt the film will strike a chord with some people – but the question McClaren asks is a good one – why do we pin our hopes on some of these things?…