"I am, however, deeply concerned that this film could be used by those seeking yet another reason to hate and attack Jews," he said, expressing concern about the "forces of radical Islam who already hate Jews, who I fear can latch on to this film to legitimize and substantiate their hatred."

Despite such concerns, Pastor McKinney and Pastor Sieg Krueger, of Mountain View Christian Assembly in Sandy, agree the film makes clear that Christ "willingly died for all our sins," and not because he was a victim of Jewish hatred.

Pastor Krueger, who saw the film in Orlando, Fla., with some 5,000 other pastors, said Gibson's address to the group "was out of his comfort zone."

"He was almost timid, in a sense, describing that this was something he felt he needed to do, no matter what the consequences are."

Both clergymen said they were personally moved by the film, as were their fellow church leaders. "The response in our showing was different than you would get in a lot of theaters," Pastor Krueger said. "For us it was a victory cry."

He described the opening scene featuring Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, agonizing and then submitting to God's will. Satan is also portrayed there taunting Christ, as is a snake representing evil. "At one point Christ crushed the head of that snake. In our auditorium there was just a jubilant cry and applause. It was very moving and stirring for us."

While both are urging their congregations to see the film — Pastor Krueger bought out the entire theater for one showing — they agree it requires spiritual and emotional maturity to handle the graphic images.

"I think people have their own convictions about R-rated films, and I ask people to be very discerning about what they see. My congregation knows me as a man that probably wouldn't recommend an R-rated film normally," Pastor Krueger said. "But I have gone on record" urging congregation members to not only see the film but to take a friend.

Gibson has tried "to give an honest portrayal of what really happened, and the realism is really there. I would caution parents and make individual decisions concerning whether children" see it.

Both pastors believe that locally and nationally the film will serve as a springboard for public discussion, particularly during the upcoming Lenten season, Pastor McKinney said. "It will raise a conversation about the Christian faith in our society like nothing has in a long time."

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Contributing: The Associated Press.

E-mail: carrie@desnews.com