Letters To The Ministry

Dear Mr. Oakland,

I recently received a copy of your commentary on the definitive edition of the Passion of the Christ.

First of all let me say that I am a Youth Pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church and I was raised Catholic, but became a Christian outside of the Catholic Church. That being said, I have no idea who you are other than your article that came across my desk.

As to the purpose of this letter. After reading your commentary, I found myself thoroughly disgusted with the content of your commentary. Your negative opinion of Roman Catholicism is very discouraging. In this age of ecumenical Christianity where most people realize that we all serve One Lord as One Church with many parts, your ignorance in regards to theological issues is hopefully an isolated incident.

The account of the Passion of the Christ is what it is: a movie depicting the final hours of Christ. Mel Gibson, himself upon the movie's release and in line with his well-publicized Catholicism claimed he used the Gospel and the traditions of the early Church, such as Veronica and the Stations of the Cross as sources for the film. In that way it is bound to have a Catholic flavor.

Since the word Catholic means Universal, I see nothing wrong with that. A faithful Catholic is just as much a Christian as a faithful Protestant. Your commentary suggests to me that you have an unhealthy view of Catholicism. Who cares if the Passion depicts a more active role for Mary and focuses on her relationship with Jesus (or what it might indeed have been like). It is still an incredible tool for showing others the Gospel.

It is fruitless nitpickers like yourself that give the rest of us Kingdom living Christians a bad name. I suggest that if you live in such fear as to consider the Passion of the Christ as a harbinger of the terribly misquoted verses of scripture that you ended your article with, than I pray you receive the Peace of God and a greater understanding of Jesus Christ. I also strongly urge you to not take verses of scripture out of their original context and use them for your own good. That is far more dangerous to whatever flock the Lord has placed you over than any movie.

In closing I would like to say that I hope the next time somebody hands me a piece of commentary from you, that it will be worth my while to read it. As a Christian and a minister of the Gospel of Truth, I hope you will read your Bible more carefully and see the importance of the traditions of the early Church. They may not stand as strongly as the Word of God, but they are far more important than the worthless drivel you have put forth on the internet in the name of Christianity. Please for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the Gospel, THINK HARD BEFORE YOU SPEAK OR WRITE!! For you are bound to do more damage than good.

In regards to my strong words, I hope you will consider this a rebuke from one brother to another.

Sincerely,

A concerned Christian

Hugh Hawkins