"He Was Pretty Good in There Today"

This paper, initially published in the Journal of Men, Masculinities and Spirituality, examines the “muscular Christianity” phenomenon in Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion of the Christ and Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 short play, “Today is Friday.” Lisa Taylor draws parallels between Gibson and Hemingway’s personal experiences raised as Catholics to inform her reading of both works, noting the irony of their choice to adopt a Protestant, Victorian-era masculine aesthetic. A provocative and fascinating read, this work is ideal for scholars interested in American studies, English literature, gender studies, and contemporary representations of Christianity in popular culture.