An Iran-made movie based on the Islamic version of the life of Jesus is stirring controversy among Christians for its portrayal of Christ as a tormented Judean prophet foretelling the coming of Muhammad, the founder of the Muslim faith.

“Jesus, the Spirit of God,” claims Jesus was compassionate, performed miracles and spoke parables, but was not divine nor was he crucified and resurrected.

Some claim this movie is a step toward bringing more understanding between the two faiths. Director Nader Talebzadeh believes it will show the common ground between Muslims and Christians. He told AFP that he saw his movie as an Islamic answer to Western productions he sees as simply wrong, such as Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.”

“I pray for Christians. They’ve been misled. They will realize one day the true story,” Talebzadeh told the LA Times. His film has been screened at international film festivals and is being marketed for wider release.

The film has certainly sparked dialogue, which is part of what Talebzadeh wanted. Bloggers have been disputing the film for months now. In January, one responded to an article about the film saying, “The Islamic-fascists will go to the ends of the earth, whether by blood or bombs, to try to delude their people with their Nazi like propaganda.”

But why be up in arms? Don’t Christians try to spread their version of Mohammad’s life and teachings? In a conversation about this film, one Christian blogger spouted that “Islam preaches hatred of non-believers. Muhammad was a pagan general who created Islam to unify his forces. He only picked and chose what he liked in Judaism and Christianity and added his violent outlook.”

Would Talebzadeh see these comments about his faith the same way Christians view his film? Or would he say they are worse since he at least portrays Jesus as a powerful and kind prophet?

As another blogger more recently commented, “Don’t we as Christians spend our time trying to prove that the beliefs of Islam are false? Don’t get me wrong, I totally disbelieve Islam and what it stands for but, in the same breath, to act as though we don’t try and silence them also is a bit naive. What makes our actions any better than theirs… other than the fact we believe in the true word of God but I am sure they feel the same way about their beliefs?”