Via the Easterblog I found this section on Beliefnet about The Passion. I haven’t had a chance to finish the Theological Smackdown, but I’ve picked up a couple of interesting bits….

If Jesus had not suffered all the indignities he went through before the crucifixion, but still died for our sins, our sins would still have been atoned for. It is, in short, the death of Christ?and not the degree or length of his suffering?that atones for sin.

Good point. Of course, Christ’s suffering was a part of God’s plan, but….remember that the Gospels are lacking the sort of detail that Gibson provides in the film. So, God hasn’t provided us with the details of how Christ suffered, therefore knowing those details is obviously not central to our faith.

Posted on 12 March 2004