DEAR EDITOR:
This is an open letter to the Jewish community and the residents
of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.
DEAR EDITOR:
This is an open letter to the Jewish community and the residents of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.
Much discussion has arisen over the movie The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson. The Anti-Defamation League, in particular, has highlighted concerns that the movie could spawn hate crimes against the Jewish people.
As leaders of the Christian community, we would like to address some of these concerns.
We acknowledge that many atrocities have been waged against the Jewish people over thousands of years. Some of these incidents were precipitated by “Passion Plays” that led to the persecution of Jews as “Christ-killers.”
At other times, pogroms were carried out by people in the name of Christ or by others while many in the church stood idly by and did nothing to help. In either case, those actions were not only wrong, but were entirely inconsistent with the teachings of Christ.
We further acknowledge the sensitivity of the Jewish community to concerns that this movie could potentially initiate spurious actions against them.
Since most of us have not seen the movie yet, this letter is simply to respond to the media and cultural discussions that are taking place. The question has arisen in many different media, “Who killed Jesus?” We want to go on public record by saying, “We did – and we will not stand idly by and allow anyone to cast dispersions on any single person, group or race.”
The Bible is clear on this matter. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6).
Therefore, “we” represents men and women from all eras, nations and backgrounds. So we all acknowledge our own personal responsibility in the death of Christ.
For this reason, if any negative or illegal action is taken against our Jewish friends as a result of this movie, we will denounce it as a malicious crime. There is no room for such activity today, nor has there ever been!
Many who have previewed the movie state that it has had a profound effect on them, and they believe that our generation needs to wrestle with the implications of the events that happened 2,000 years ago. They also believe this movie might be a catalyst to bring this about.
If so, we welcome it and hope you will, too.
In addition, as Christian leaders, we want to express our indebtedness to the Jewish community for the many spiritual truths we commonly hold dear.
Pastor Mike Burchfield
West Hills Community Church
Pastors Drake & Grace Fenn
Family Worship Center
Reverend Mark Inouye
Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church
Pastor Malcom MacPhail
New Hope Community Church
Pastor Mike Michaelsen
Church of the Valley
Pastor Don Skow
Hollister Christian Fellowship
Pastor Eric Smith
South Valley Community Church
Pastor Kevin Stottrup
Aromas Bible Church
Reverend Kevin Wilson
Gilroy Bible Church
Submitted Monday, Feb. 23 to ed****@****ic.com
