That's a nice little funny you made at the end, there, Steve. Mad props. I've always wondered why the book "Addicted to Mediocrity" is so...bland. Interesting.

As an artist and a Christian I found "Addicted to Mediocrity" to be very very liberating. Frankie was one of the too-few to say that Modern Christendom's contributions to culture have been mostly trite, unimaginitive, unoriginal, and puritanical. So I'm surprised that such a gritty, unprettified portrayal of the Crucifixion would get such a stupid response from him. Is he saying he doesn't like Jim Cazaviel's work, or that a movie shouldn't have been made at all? That'd be a most unfortunate turnaround.

I agree that it's sad how Franky is dismissive of his father's work, but there are plenty of people not named Pat Robertson who aren't falling at the feet of Mel Gibson.

Those who think The Passion is the ultimate evangelism tool should read up on what secular film critics are saying about the movie. One particularly notable example (you can check out others at rottentomatoes.com):

"...the most deeply committed believers, who have reflected on this story over and over, will probably experience Gibson's devout, horrific film in a much different, more positive way than others. Knowing the part of the story this film leaves out, they'll be better able to fill in the blanks, to supply the spirit and grace the movie mostly lacks." - Chicago Tribune

I've heard Christians say some pretty crazy things in their rush to canonize The Passion and bestow sainthood on Mel Gibson. To me, though, one of the most troubling is the idea that there is some sort of obligation for Christians to see (and like) this movie - As a Christian, you should go to church, read the Bible, and see The Passion, then see it a few more times to send a message to Hollywood.

While it's true that The Passion puts a cultural spotlight on Jesus, which is certainly a positive thing, it's just a movie created by just a man. I get a little nervous when I hear people who sound more excited about The Passion than they are about the Bible.

"Addicted to Mediocrity" was a surprisingly mediocre book about an important topic, and Franky's mercifully short career as a filmmaker showed that the book should be filed in the "do as I say, not as I do" department.

I'm not surprised to see Franky dissing his famous father, since "dissing" seems to be the word that sums up his career. The angry young man act worked for a while, but has worn thin.

As for his criticism of a movie he hasn't seen, I'm surprised that he seems to think that it's what Jesus looks like that's important, or that we can't learn anything useful from other people's encounters with our Lord. He says all he wants is "Jesus as he reveals himself to me," suggesting that nobody else's perceptions could have any value.

Come to think of it, that's been a pretty consistent theme in his work.

Hey Dave, thanks for your comments. I'm not trying to defend "The Passion" as being the end-all and be-all of Christian entertainment. The point is that Franky (and others like him) who dismiss "The Passion" on the basis of their Orthodox faith or their extreme Puritanical "in the world but NOT of the world" mentality are missing the point. And it's not just "The Passion." It's any kind of art that communicates a powerful message and gets people thinking about Jesus.

Brian Mclaren has also written some good words of caution (like you are raising) about putting "The Passion" on a pedestal and having all kinds of ridiculous expectations. Personally, I think it's crazy and irresponsible for parents to bring young children to see "The Passion," but then again these are probably the same parents who bring their young kids in to see "The Matrix" and other movies that have extreme violence. In general, parents especially should be more discerning. And I'd hope everyone would at least embrace the cultural impact and importance of something like "The Passion." Do we all have to wear the T-shirt and buy the bumper sticker? Of course not. I'd just hope that Franky and others would be able to see that God is doing something in the success of this film, and who are we to tell God what He can or can't do?

Also, Doug makes a good point about Franky's philosophy of only accepting the Jesus who comes to him personally through his personal prayer time. Seems pretty sketchy, if you ask me. All in all, Franky comes off sounding like more of a conservative Christian than his "fundamentalist" parents (his word, not mine). Sheesh about it!

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't directing my finger shaking at you (or anyone else who's commented on your blog, for that matter) about over-hyping The Passion, but I have heard other Christians get quite extreme over the movie. On the other hand, I do agree that God is using the success of the movie, and it's difficult to ignore the cultural impact of the film - though I think it's having more of an impact on the Christian culture than the secular culture.

I was not in any way trying to defend Franky and his position on the arts (which is indeed ironic given his lackluster contribution to American cinema) or his theology (I think your term - "sketchy" - is a good way to describe it).

I'd comment individually on the other points you raised in your reply, but I'd basically just be saying over and over again that I agree with you.

What I find interesting is that perhaps the biggest impact of the Passion will not be in the US (how like us to think it would be).

I recieved an email the other day saying that Passion was being shown in Quatar.. because they heard it was anti-Semitic... and Quatar wanted to be the first Middle Eastern coutnry to show it, but, in doing so, they are willfully importing... the Gospel!

I think perhaps God's plans for this movie are even bigger than those of certain US church leaders.

I spoke out against the excessive and irresponsible Passion hype and still do, but thankfully that doesn't stop God from using it to further the kingdom ;-)

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