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A Guide to the Passion: 100 Questions About The Passion of The Christ

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If you're anything like me, after watching Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," you walked out of the theater in complete silence, and with many questions.

Why do Mary's eyes meet those of the devil during Jesus' journey to Golgotha?

Why does the film show Pilate's wife giving Mary an armful of linens?

Why do demon children torment Judas?

AND, the most commonly-asked question about the film:

What did the anti-Marian, demon-with-child image represent?

This wonderful and much-needed little book answers all of those questions and many, many more. Written in a simple, straight-forward style with an abundance of Scripture references, this book is the perfect guide to the film.

As well it should.

One of the film's collaborators - Tom Allen, who was intimately involved with the film's fundraising and promotion - helped create the book. You'll see his name listed among the credits near the end of the film.

The first press-run, of 160,000, sold out before the book was off the press. As a result of the demand, and the most-commonly asked question, the second printing and all subsequent versions of the book contain the answer to the demon-with-child question.

As of this writing, the book has sold more than 300,000 copies. Based on the number of incoming orders, the publisher expects that it will sell at least 1 million.

Created by Tom Allen, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Matthew Pinto, Mark Shea, and Dr. Paul Thigpen (who has a reflection book of his own out on The Passion), the book closely follows the film and its major scenes (from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Resurrection) answering many questions raised by the film.

Priced as a give-away, the publisher has made it extremely easy for theater-goers, churches, or individuals to purchase the books in bulk to give away at screenings. In fact, my wife and I purchased 100 copies to give away at a local screening. I could have used three times that number.

The books are written in such a way that they would work well for small-group faith-sharing or Bible study discussions. The second part of the book makes the case for Christ, and offers suggestions for what viewers can do with what they have just seen.

An appendix includes the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and the Seven Last Words of Christ, upon which the film is based. Finally, a resource bibliography at the end directs readers to further books and resources that would be helpful in a person's journey with Christ.

Christians and non-Christians will benefit greatly from the insights that this book offers into Mel Gibson's film.

If you're curious about Christianity in general, or Catholicism in particular, this book is a great place to start. It will give you a forthright look at Christianity from the inside.

Written by popular Catholic writers who are very aware of modern sensibilities, it introduces you to the relevance of that defining event--Jesus Christ in human history.

The first section answers 100 questions about the movie, and the answers are straightforward--which incidents in the film come from the Gospel, what's from early Christian tradition, or saints' visions, or just Gibson's "artistic license". But they also explain the meaning that Christianity traditionally sees in the various incidents in the story.

The second and third sections will especially interest skeptics, doubters, and the just plain curious: Who was Jesus? In about 15 pages, various theories are briefly examined--myth, misunderstood rabbi, megalomaniac, etc.

Finally, after listing a few traditional Catholic devotions (the stations of the cross, the seven last words), the book concludes with a large well-organized selection of suggestions for further study--books, websites, etc.

As a next step, Catholic.com has a terrific overview of the faith, Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth. It's available in an inexpensive 32-page booklet or free online. Go to http://www.catholic.com/library/pillar.asp.

This book is excellent! I bought it based on the previous review. As a traditional Catholic, I thought I could handle any symbolism presented in the movie...but I was wrong. The movie if far deeper than I expected. I had a lot of questions, as did my teenage sons who were debating if Jesus was nailed through the palms or wrists. My sons read this book with great interest. It is very readable; in a question and answer "catechism" format. I learned a lot about the movie and the sacrifice of Jesus.

The book is unapologetically Catholic. It is written by people intimate with the movie and the mind of the director. The author does an incredible job of separating what is Biblical, what is historical and what is artistic license in the movie.

The only criticism is the answer discussing the meeting of Mary and Peter after his denial. The book seems to imply that Roman Catholics can approach Mary to have their sins forgiven. Catholics believe that only God/Jesus can forgive sins. But a sinner, afraid to approach the Almighty Judge might approach Mary for help in being led to Jesus, just as she led St. John to the foot of the cross of redemption. I think I know what the authors were trying to say...I think they could have said it better. Catholics view Mary in the context of her only sermon in the Bible, at the marriage feast of Cana, "Do whatever He says".

In future editions, perhaps the authors could also address the symbolism of Mary picking up the soil at the time of the crucifixion.

I found the book a very good guide and I learned somethings I didn't know before. I believe it did a great job explaining the Catholic faith and would be a useful tool for those with questions about the Faith. It was short and concise but also contained many resources for further study. I loved the book and would recommend it to friends.

This book is excellent.

It has "imprimatur" from the Catholic Bishop of San Diego.

The Passion is fundamentally a Catholic movie (see Jim Caviziel's interview on Zenit.org). Hence, this book describes the DEEP Catholic symbolism in the movie

I HEARTILY recommend it and also going to the evangelization.com website for the FREE resources that accompany the book.

I STRONGLY recommend that people buy lots of copies for their parishes, as well as to give to Protestants who will be more interested in the Catholic faith after seeing the movie

The intended audience for A GUIDE TO THE PASSION are primarily those seeing the movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST who are either Catholics or else interested in the Catholic faith.Others may also find it useful since the book answers so many specific questions about the film.

The best way to read the book is to have a copy of the Bible handy for quick reference. Most Catholics get a lot of exposure to the Bible through regular readings of scripture at every Mass - but many of us have little familiarity with the Bible as a whole. We absorb it only in fragments. This book will help us to acquire a more comprehensive view of the gospels.

A short section follows the main text in which general questions are answered about Christ and the beginnings of Christianity. The materials found in the appendices give special meaning to the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross and the Seven Last Sayings of Christ. A varied list of resources appears at the end of the book.

This book is awesome!! It goes straight to the point and answers questions directly related to the movie. It explains the "what's" and "whys" in simple english and has scripture references if you want to learn more. It is short and easy to read. A definite must for those who go to the movie. After I read it I shared it with friends---some who still have not seen the movie--(and maybe never will)--but they really liked it because they got the jist of the movie and it's very interesting.

In Part 1, "100 Questions and Answers", the authors are clear and concise in this guide book to Mel Gibson's extraordinary film "The Passion of the Christ", helping us to fully understand the many events that take place, and the symbolism sometimes hidden in the scenes; also for those not that familiar with the Bible, to know what parts are scriptural, and what represents the filmmaker's artistic license.
This slender book goes much further though, and gives insight into parts of the New Testament, how Christ's Passion relates to the Jewish Passover, and more.

Part 2, "The Case for Christ", compares Jesus to other religious figures, and gives answers to the question Jesus asked his followers, "Who do you say I am ?", and lays the case for the five possibilites: "a legend, a liar, a lunatic, a light and fluffy New Ager, and the Lord"; it's a terrific little chapter.
Part 3, "And the Story Continues", is how the apostles spread the Good News.
Part 4, "Quo Vadis ?" (Where are You Going ?), on what to do if you find yourself at a spiritual crossroads.

The back of the book has useful appendices, resources, and mini-bios of the five authors who contributed to this book, and they are: Tom Allen, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Matthew Pinto, Mark Shea, and Paul Thigpen. If you found inspiration and value in Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ", you will appreciate this book, which brings to light aspects one misses even after several viewings of the film.

Mr. Pinto has a passion for writing outstanding Catholic Books. This book will help all Christians get to the heart of "The Passion of the Christ." As a high-school teacher, I can only praise this text for its outstanding discussion questions. Mr. Pinto, congratulations on producing such a great reference work just when it is most needed. Classroom teachers and prayer group leaders should prepare themselves for dynamic, in-depth discussions.

Charles M. Rizzo
[website]

Fine explanation of beliefs found in the stellar movie. For ALL Christians, not just catholics with a large "C". If you have seen or plan to see the movie (which is a stunningly spiritual event I wholeheartedly recommend seeing), do yourself a major favor and buy this book.
Actually, based on what many in The Media have written, I'd say each "journalist" needs a copy as well --- they get so many of their ideas about it incorrect.