More "Passion" Questions and Luther's Passion for Animals by Pastor Walter Snyder Q: In the movie ~The Passion of the Christ~, a scene just after Jesus died depicts Satan looking up with arms outstretched. What was the significance of this scene? A: This scene provides a complementing "bookend" for the film when coupled with the opening in Gethsemane. Remember how, as Satan tempts Jesus, he sends a serpent slithering out. Jesus stands and, almost as an afterthought, brings His foot down on its head. This artistic invention not in Scripture depicts the prophecy against Satan in Genesis 3:15, when God says to the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." The crushing of Satan actually takes place when Christ's work of atonement is finished upon His death. Thus, we see and hear the devil at the moment of his downfall. If you watch the film again, look at the parched, abandoned terrain surrounding the prostrate Satan. Notice the shape and dimensions and consider how they mirror the aerial view of Golgotha and the area surrounding the cross of Christ. This is, I think, a deliberate parallel, where Jesus' death is cinematically shown to be the death of Satan's power. Q: As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, I would like to know if the Lutheran Church in general has an opinion concerning Mel Gibson's ~The Passion of the Christ~. I debate whether or not I wish to see this movie mainly based on so much criticism of the violence depicted. I also debate whether or not it is something my children aged 9 and 13 should see. I haven't had a chance to ask the pastor of our church and he hasn't brought it up during sermons, etc., so any opinion or information would be much appreciated. A: As I've noted in previous columns, opinions vary. This includes those of Lutherans. I think no one should be compelled or feel obligated to see it. Of itself, I doubt that it will directly convert many, although we cannot discount the power of God's Word, even if most viewers will only experience that Word through the subtitles. I personally consider it edifying and enlightening and found its images moving through my mind as I prepared and preached Lenten, Passion, and Easter sermons, even though I never directly referenced it in any of these. As for ages, I took my sixth grade daughter. I doubt I'd allow most children younger than twelve to see it and even with older children would make sure that parents or pastors accompanied them. Q: I remember a C. S. Lewis comment where he cited Martin Luther about the place and importance of animals. Where might a fellow find this essay by Luther? A: Find ~Luther's Works~ in the so-called "American Edition" and you'll have access to hundreds of citations regarding animals. I have all 54 volumes in print and on CD-ROM and can do a rapid search. His lectures on Genesis, covering eight volumes, are the single richest source. Luther sometimes used "animal" to speak of the base nature of people. At other times he spoke of various creatures, sometimes in the nature of a theologian, sometimes sounding like a natural scientist or a philosopher. Included are retellings of some of Aesop's fables, which use animals to illustrate the human condition. Among non-religious works, Luther highly prized Aesop. Some references focus on animal brutishness, others on higher traits or on their relationship with man. One uses the animals as a reminder of the basic gifts of creation which we possess: "Dr. Martin Luther played with his dog and said, 'The dog is a very faithful animal and is held in high esteem if he isn't too ordinary. Our Lord God has made the best gifts most common. The pre- eminent gift given to all living things is the eye. Small birds have very bright eyes, like little stars, and can see a fly a roomlength away. But we don't acknowledge such everyday gifts. We are stupid clods. In the future life we'll see them, however; there we ourselves will make birds with pretty, shining eyes.'" At another time, his dog Tölpel sparked comment on prayer: "When Luther's puppy happened to be at the table, looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes, he [Martin Luther] said, 'Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope.'" Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Luther quotes from ~Luther's Works, Vol. 54: Table Talk~, © 1967 by Fortress Press. Ask the Pastor, © 2004 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."