“What is truth”? asks Pilate, the Roman governor in Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ,” a few hours before Jesus’ crucifixion.

The question seems reasonable; Jesus had just made the rather bold declaration that “Everyone who hears truth hears me.”

What could he possibly have meant? Surely he was not referring to truth in any absolute sense — was he?

Pilate’s question abounds in relevance to the moral philosophy of our culture. There are few ways to more quickly ignite controversy than to attempt a definition of truth.

Any such definition, however broad or specific, immediately categorizes some people’s ideas or behavior as objectively wrong, a categorization that inexorably arouses indignation and resentment.

And so, moral discussions in our postmodern society have degenerated to phrases like “True for you but not for me,” and “Who are you to judge”?

For this reason, the controversy surrounding “The Passion” goes much deeper than accusations of anti-Semitism.

Embedded in the film’s message is a not-so-subtle claim to truth — that a man named Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity by his crucifixion, and that God raised him from the dead.

He died for sins? Implicit in this is that evil resides in every human heart and is incurable but for Jesus’ sacrifice.

Surely Gibson understands that “sin” has no modern translation.

We commit but “indiscretions,” if we feel the need to acknowledge anything at all. How presumptuous of him!

But examine more closely the biblical accounts of Jesus’ life, from which Gibson modeled his film.

If “The Passion” is controversial, it is because the Bible itself contains controversial claims to truth.

The same Jesus that prevented the stoning of a woman caught in the act of adultery also turned to her and said, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Could it be that he dared to call her behavior “wrong”?

How pompous!

And the same Jesus who spoke of love and forgiveness also said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

What an “intolerant” and “narrow-minded” idea!

How “insensitive” to contrary worldviews!

Are these the words of a “good” and “moral” teacher? Jesus’ words leave no middle ground; either he is God’s Son and humanity’s Savior, or something far worse than a liar.

What is truth? Viewers of “The Passion” must consider the life and words of Jesus Christ in light of this question — a question the film answers powerfully.

Jacob Anderson

Senior

Electrical Engineering