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Discusses how the movie 'The Passion of the Christ' directed by Mel Gibson has caused Americans to debate and analyze the concept of the death of Christ. Consideration of how Christ's Passion is portrayed in various religious services for Easter and Holy Week; Popularity of the book 'Glorious Appearing,' a part of the 'Left Behind' series; Debate among theologians on the issue of atonement in Christianity; Reference to how the New Testament addresses the death of Christ; How Christ's incarnation and resurrection is symbolic of a new beginning for humanity; Efforts of spiritual counselors to offer advice on the role of suffering as part of salvation in the Gospel. INSETS: WHY JESUS DIED: THE GOOD VS. EVIL THEORY;WHY JESUS DIED: THE ROLE-MODEL THEORY;WHY JESUS DIED: THE PAYING-A-DEBT THEORY.

Responds to the accusations of anti-Semitism against the motion picture "The Passion of the Christ." Decision of U.S. bishops to distribute a printed compendium of Catholic teaching condemning anti-Semitism; Views on the effects of the film on the viewing public's perception of Jews; Clarifications about the alleged anti-Semitic impact of the Gospels; Christian interpretation of the death of Jesus through the Gospels.

Charges the motion picture "The Passion of the Christ" and its director Mel Gibson of anti-Semitism due to its depiction of the Jews' responsibility for the death of Jesus. Faithfulness of the film to the Gospel accounts of Jesus' suffering; Violation of a Vatican II declaration and of the U.S. bishops' conference 1988 Criteria for the Evaluation of Dramatization of the film; Disappointment over the failure of U.S. bishops to condemn the film; Effect of the film on Christian faith.

The article discusses the accounts of the ministry of Jesus Christ based on the gospel of John. The author says that John's gospel did not include a direct account of the baptism of Jesus yet it supplied the testimony of John the Baptist and his reflections about who Jesus is. He also mentions that the gospel made a prologue to his account of the public ministry of Jesus including his death and resurrection. A reflection regarding the title of Jesus Christ as the "Son of God" is also presented.

The article focuses on the chaos and silence during the first Easter. It notes that in Passion narratives, Jesus has entered Jerusalem amidst of the two opposing crowds. It also stresses that His death and resurrection were the foundation of Christian faith and doctrine. Moreover, it highlights the need for every individual to face the reality of every situations even if these situations will bring harm and destruction.

Outlines the directives issued by the American Jewish Committee on the portrayal of Passion plays. Depiction of Jesus Christ as a Jew; Approach to the relations between Jesus's disciples and the Jewish community; Importance of the Pontius Pilate role for Passion play's treatment of Jews and Judaism.