“The Passion:” A Pastor’s Perspective

We continue our coverage of FOX’s “The Passion. It’s a two-hour live musical event happening Sunday at 7 p.m. on FOX 21. The story is a contemporary retelling of Jesus Christ’s last hours – set to popular music – with big-named actors. A Duluth pastor weighed in about “The Passion” and how the story speaks to people in the 21st century, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports.

The story of “The Passion” is one Pastor Dianne Loufman, of First Lutheran Church, cares deeply about.

“This is a compelling story and one that promises life and delivers on it,” Loufman said.

But when asked about her thoughts on the live television production of “The Passion,” she was a bit skeptical.

 “Because a lot of times people take a story and they use it the way they want to use it, rather than letting the story shape us,” Loufman said.

FOX describes “The Passion” as a contemporary retelling of Jesus Christ’s last hours.

“If it’s true to the story, that will be great and if it captures people’s imagination and leads them to want to know more about this story that would be great,” Loufman explained.

Pastor Loufman said she was going to try to watch Sunday’s special with the hope it will capture people – particularly young people – to go further into the story to live a life of love.

“The message of the resurrection is there’s nothing you can do to me from keeping me from loving you. It’s that powerful of love and that powerful of forgiveness,” Loufman explained.

Saturday night on FOX 21 News at 9, we’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at parts of the production being filmed before the big live show Sunday at 7 p.m. on