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Through much of the debate of these past few months, there have been a handful of exemplary Bible-based Christian voices that have surfaced to help put the brakes on the rhetoric of polarization. Media insider Larry W. Poland has produced an insightful booklet, "Is the Passion of Jesus Anti-Semitic?" that explains, without condescension or exaggeration, current and historical reasons for Jewish fears. He also presents excellent advice on actions Christians and Jews can take to improve their friendships with each other. The booklet is free read online, but I recommend ordering copies in quantities sufficient to pass around to your pastor and fellow believers.

Another Christian leader helping the situation instead of fanning the flames is Franklin Graham. "In no way do I hold the Jewish people responsible" for Jesus' crucifixion, he said. "Be assured that I will do everything I can to remind people of this fact."

Indeed, "everything one can do" is a noble, holy standard. It will be through our caring actions, not bombast, that we will best demonstrate that the Gospels create loving people and not raving anti-Semites.

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Other CT coverage of anti-Semitism surrounding The Passion include:

The Passion and Prejudice | Why I asked the Anti-Defamation League to give Mel Gibson a break. (Feb. 24, 2004)

Why some Jews fear The Passion | Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ gives Christians the chance to disavow a shameful history of anti-Semitism. (Feb. 20, 2004)

Good News to the Jew First | Critics of The Passion of the Christ assume the story embodies an anti-Semitic message. But does it? (Nov. 21, 2003)

Jews Against Jesus? | Critics of Gibson's film The Passion distort the truth. (Oct. 30, 2003)

Poland's Catholic Bishops Ask Forgiveness for Wartime Massacre of Jews | Theologian says continued anti-Semitism overshadows gesture. (June 12, 2001)

Oberammergau Overhaul | Changes make the Passion play more sensitive to Jews and more faithful to Scripture. (Aug. 24, 2000)

CT Classic: Who Killed Jesus? | After centuries of censure, Jews have been relieved of general responsibility for the death of Jesus. Now who gets the blame? (Aug. 24, 2000)

At Jerusalem's Holocaust Memorial, Pope Regrets Persecution of Jews | Catholic Church 'deeply saddened by anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians.' (March 20, 2000)

Is Holocaust Museum Anti Christian? | Six prominent Jews are accusing the U.S. Holocaust Museum of anti-Christian bias in showing a 14-minute film on the roots of anti-Semitism. (April 27, 1998)

CT's coverage of The Passion includes:

The Passion of Mel Gibson | Why evangelicals are cheering a movie with profoundly Catholic sensibilities. (Feb. 20, 2004)

Mel, Mary, and Mothers | The mother of Jesus was still a mom (Feb. 20, 2004)

Film Forum: The First Official Passion of the Christ Reviews … and 50 First Dates | Moviegoers must wait a few more days for The Passion of the Christ, but the reviews are already coming in. Plus: Mel Gibson talks to PrimeTime, and the Passion debates continue. Meanwhile, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have 50 First Dates, and one Christian film critic wonders why viewers are ignoring Peter Pan. (Feb. 19, 2004)

The Good News of God's Wrath | At the heart of the universe, there is a just and gracious God. (Feb. 23, 2004)

'Dude, That Was Graphic' | Mel Gibson talks about The Passion of The Christ (Feb. 23, 2004)

Behind the Scenes of The Passion | On the set with Holly McClure (Feb. 23, 2004)

Behind the Scenes of The Passion Part 2 | On the set with Holly McClure (Feb. 23, 2004)

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February (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48