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

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.

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.