Text of the Resolution Presented to North Texas Presbytery (PCA) condemning the film, The Last Temptation of Christ.
Copyright 1997 © First Presbyterian Church of Rowlett


Whereas among the sins forbidden in the first commandment are "misapprehensions, false opinions, unworthy and wicked thoughts of" God (WLC 105); and

Whereas among the sins forbidden in the second commandment is "the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever" (WLC 109); and

Whereas the third commandment further requires "that the name of God, His titles, attributes, ordinances, the word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, His works, and whatsoever else there is whereby He makes Himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, meditation, word and writing; by an holy profession, and answerable conversation, to the glory of God, and the good of ourselves, and others" (WLC 112); and

Whereas it is required in the fifth commandment of superiors (i.e. church governors) toward inferiors (i.e. those under under their charge) that the former "instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; and discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill" (WLC 129) and that among the sins forbidden to superiors regarding inferiors is "careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger" (WLC 130); and

Whereas among the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are "concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others (WLC 145); and

Whereas the current film "The Last Temptation of Christ" is a clear violation of the first, second and third commandments; and

Whereas there is distress on the part of many of the people of God in this land over the content of this film; and

Whereas the civil magistrates of the city of Dallas, TX, as well as other communities have condemned the film; and

Whereas all the people of God, but particularly the church's governors are to be "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14); and

Whereas it is a function of the Church "as a kingdom and government distinct from the civil commonwealth" to "proclaim, to administer, and to enforce the law of Christ revealed in the Scriptures" (PCA BCO 3-3);

Be it therefore RESOLVED that it is the sense of this body that the film "The Last Temptation of Christ" is idolatrous and blasphemous and attempts to bring shame upon the person of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who was and continues to be holy, harmless, and undefiled.

And be it further RESOLVED that any person under the charge of this body should consider the act of attending this film to be a violation of the commandments of God and therefore sinful.

And be it further RESOLVED that peaceful demonstrations by Christians in an attempt to instruct and counsel others to boycott this film are hereby encouraged.

(Text of Resolution presented by Richard Bacon on September 13, 1988, to FPCR Session and passed by them as a Resolution to present to North Texas Presbytery in the October meeting of presbytery. It did not pass. The FPCR session adopted a complaint on November 13, 1988, and filed it with the Presbytery.)