Editorials > Jim Caviezel Plays Jesus Again?

The first time James Caviezel signed on to play Jesus Christ, it was in Mel Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ," and it didn't seem too surprising of a choice. Caviezel was a talented, devout Catholic actor of about the right age and initials to play the Messiah, so the eyebrow-raising was kept to a minimum.

Then, in the Fall of 2006, Caviezel appeared in an anti-cloning political ad with actress Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), and athletes Kurt Warner, Mike Sweeney, and Jeff Suppan. Again, no surprise. Devout Catholic actor…

What's that? He's speaking untranslated Aramaic? Well, golly, it's a good thing this ad was broadcast in Missouri; I hear they've got a big Assyrian and Ancient Jewish population there. It's not like he was deliberately posturing as his own Lord and Savior in order to advocate a political cause that Christ had no known opinion about. (Incidentally, Wikipedia says his Aramaic line translates to "You betray the Son of Man with a kiss." OBJECTION: IRRELEVANT).

But most recently, I saw an ad on TV for something called The Word of Promise, an audiobook of the New Testament featuring an all-star cast. They've got Lou Gossett, Lou Diamond Philips, Ernie Hudson, Richard Dreyfus, Marisa Tomei, Terrence Stamp (as God!), Stacy Keach, and, you guessed it, James Caviezel as Jesus Christ.

I'm sure he's probably a nice enough guy once you get to know him, but I'm concerned he'll develop a messianic complex and be able to persuade a significant number of Bible audiotape listeners into following him as he overthrows our sinful, secular way of life. So keep an eye out for that in the near future.

-DM