Mel Gibson's Passion and Philosophy: The Cross, the Questions, the Controcersy (Popular Culture and Philosophy Series #10) FROM OUR EDITORS
Since its February 2004 release, Mel Gibson's film The Passion of Christ has generated accolades and controversy; vigils of support and vocal protests. In this paperback collection, editor Jorge Gracia presents more than a dozen essays about the ideas implicit in Gibson's masterpiece. The topics include the role of women in the Passion; the relationship between the film, anti-Semitism, and continuing conflicts in the Mideast; the question of moral responsibility in the execution of Jesus; and the meaning of Judas.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Few - including director Mel Gibson - were prepared for the firestorm of controversy that followed the release of the long-awaited Passion of the Christ. Reviled by many, but so popular with others that the film has become one of the top grossers of all time, The Passion has sparked intense debate everywhere from the mainstream media to churches and synagogues to the water-cooler at work. This timely collection of essays explores the film's questions in-depth and expands on its themes. Topics covered include why Christ was killed; whether moral responsibility is possible when God knows what's going to happen; the relationship between the film, anti-semitism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the presence of women in The Passion; the influence of visionary nun Catheryne Emmerich; the meaning of Judas; and much more.
SYNOPSIS
Philosophy scholars from US universities comment on Gibson's 2004 movie The Passion of Christ, which some people find moving and influential and others find anti-Semitic, historically and biblically inaccurate, and bald political propaganda. In 20 chapters they address whether Christ had to suffer violently, whether the movie is anti-Semitic, what the truth is, why Christ was killed, and who is morally responsible. Each chapter ends with questions for discussion. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
In 20 essays by professors of philosophy from an impressive range of academic institutions, this anthology seeks to investigate several remarkable and thought-provoking questions concerning Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ. Edited by Garcia (The Classics of Western Philosophy: A Reader's Guide), this collection addresses such questions as "Did Christ have to suffer violently?" "Is the Passion anti-Semitic?" and "Why was Christ killed?" No reader will agree with every opinion expressed, but the opposing viewpoints add to the collection's stimulating nature. For example, Mark Wrathall (Brigham Young Univ.) says that for Christians to be moved by Christ's suffering, they "need to be confronted by the horror of that suffering." Conversely, Charles Taliaferro (St. Olaf Coll.) observes, "There is so much violent bloodshed that the movie becomes about violent bloodshed." All the essays are well reasoned and while philosophical in nature are not written exclusively for the student of philosophy; indeed, anyone could profit from the coherent and articulate debate presented here. Highly recommended.-Wesley A. Mills, Empire State Coll., SUNY at Rochester Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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