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Friday 28 October 2011

Jesus Christ Superstar - an utter blasphemy!!!

The 'rock opera' entitled 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is once again coming to the Grand Opera House, Belfast.

The Ulster Operatic Company is staging Jesus Christ Superstar to mark the 40th anniversary of the original stage production on Broadway in 1971. The Grand Opera House's website states:
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that highlights the political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus. It is based loosely on the Gospels’ account of the last week of Jesus’ life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem, and ending with the crucifixion.

Jesus Christ Superstar was the first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage.

This 'rock opera' is highly questionable, insulting to Christians and ultimately blasphemous to Christ.

Leaving aside the medium of an opera and a rock opera at that, when the name, character and work of our Saviour Jesus Christ is slandered, in the fashion that it is in this opera, we need to raise our objection to it. It would be a dereliction of duty to Christ to remain silent.

If someone slanders the name and character of our best friend we would be so rightly incensed that we would have to show our disgust and opposition to such a thing. In highlighting our opposition to this opera we are showing our disgust at those who slander the name and person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ Superstar’ is a rock opera about the last seven days of the life of Christ before His crucifixion. Critics have given it rave reviews over the years. Even some churches have sung its praises. Some have even hailed it as a means of presenting Christ to young people in a way they will understand and accept. What is wrong with it? Why would we want to oppose it?

There are three areas we want to consider, two briefly, one at some length.

I. The Viewpoint of the Composers
Two specific individuals were involved in the composition of this opera. The opera's lyrics were written by Tim Rice. The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The worth of this production can surely be gauged by the expressed views of these two men. 

The opinions of these men can be obtained from an ‘Open-end interview’ they gave when the opera was first performed, forty years ago. I am unaware that they ever have repudiated these views.

Tim Rice had this to say about Jesus Christ:
For me it obviously indicates that, Christ was just a super-prophet who - a fantastic man, who made a big mark on his time, and we don’t really know all that much about him. The fact that an awful lot happened in Christ’s life that could easily be legend, I don’t think diminishes the importance of the legend. But, I think, as the years roll on, in the 20th and 21st centuries, I think less and less people are going to think of Christ as a god, and I think more people are going to see him as a generally good thing. I don’t see him as a god at all, and the opera doesn’t categorically say he wasn’t but I think it leaves the question very open.

Some important points arise from this statement. In Tim Rice’s view Christ is:
1. Just a "super-prophet"; "not a god at all"
2. Surrounded by that which "could easily be legend".

He further said:
Although the gospels seem largely accurate in their telling of the events of the crucifixion, one can see great flaws in their portrayals of both Christ and Judas

Andrew Lloyd Webber made similar statements about Christ which we will consider a little latter.
The Scripture asks the question: Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one, Job 14:4. How can anything good come from men who think this of Jesus Christ? How can anything honouring of Christ come from men who cast aspersions upon His person, work and the Scriptures?

II. The Aim of the Opera
These two men have not left us in the dark as to the aim of the opera. Is it to glorify Christ? Is its purpose to set the wonderful person of God’s beloved Son before men? Are they no more mistaken than to use the wrong medium [rock music and opera] to present their message? They have told us their aims: 

1. It is to view Christ through their own eyes. In a joint statement in the same interview as already quoted they confirmed this by saying: 
…well it’s bound to be Jesus Christ seen through our eyes, I suppose.

This is not therefore God’s revelation of His Son. This is what two sinful, blinded, benighted sinners, like us all by nature, think of Jesus Christ. Mankind by nature always has low views of Jesus Christ. It is not man's views that are important but the truth. The truth relating to Christ is found alone in the Holy Scriptures.

2. It is to view Christ through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In this opera we see how natural man in his sinful and natural ignorance views Christ. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber present Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. They stated:
Basically the idea of the whole opera is to have Christ seen through the eyes of Judas, and Christ as a man not as a god And the fact that Christ himself is just as mixed up and unaware of exactly what he is, as Judas is.

3. It is ultimately to view Christ through the eyes of the devil. If it is from Judas’ standpoint it is therefore from the devil’s standpoint. Christ said of Judas: Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? John 6:70. He is called the: son of perdition, John 17:12. The Scriptures speak of the devil entering into him, John 13:37

Jesus Christ Superstar presents a Christ who died in defeat and mental turmoil. It leaves Him on the cross, as a failure. That is surely the devil's version of the story of Christ. It is a distorted view. The devil ever seeks to denigrate, minimise and pervert the person and work of Jesus Christ. This opera certainly fits into that perspective.

III. The Content of the Opera
The name of this opera alone would immediately give cause for concern. Jesus Christ was no Superstar, as the term is used today or for that matter in any age. He was the eternally, only begotten, Son of God, deserving of highest respect and honour. He was God manifest in flesh.

The Christ this opera portrays is a blasphemy. It is a slander on the person and work of Christ.

1. Christ is portrayed as being confused. Both men said in their joint statement that:
The idea of the whole opera is to have Christ seen through the eyes of Judas, and Christ as a man, not as a God. And the fact that Christ himself is just as mixed up and unaware of exactly what he is, as Judas is.

The Christ portrayed in this rock opera is a confused individual who has little true idea of who He was or what He was meant to do. He is mixed up even to the extent of railing against His Father for sending Him to the cross. Words are attributed to Christ which portray Him confessing that He is not as sure and sad and tired:

Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain;
Show me there's a reason for your wanting me to die;
You're far too keen on where and how, and not so hot on why

Contrast this with Luke 2:49: And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Christ knew from eternity past the purpose of His coming into the world. He was well acquainted with the 'why'. 

2. Christ is portrayed as being powerless. On one occasion in this opera our Lord is depicted as being angry and disconsolate, causing Him to turn upon the crowd and scream in frustration at them as they beg Him for His healing touch. Though He heals some of them, their number increases, and He is overwhelmed. He is depicted as being unable to solve everyone's problems, This is why He tells the crowd to heal themselves.
There's too many of you -- don't push me 
There's too little of me -- don't crowd me:
Heal yourselves

Contrast this with Matthew 12:15: But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.

Christ willingly healed all who came to Him. No one was turned away. 

3. Christ is portrayed as being impure. Through the words of Judas and Mary, this opera casts Jesus Christ as the lover of Mary Magdalene. To make this supposed relationship all the more repugnant it implies that Mary Magdalene is a harlot.

The Scriptures totally repudiate this wicked insinuation on both accounts, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, Hebrews 7:26. No where in all the Bible is there is slightest hint that Mary Magdalene was a harlot. It is said that out of her the Lord cast seven devils. 

4. Christ is portrayed as being inconsistent. This opera has Judas chiding Jesus Christ for being morally inconsistent: 
It's not that I object to her profession,
But she doesn't fit well with what you teach and say,
It doesn't help us if you're inconsistent,
They only need a small excuse to put us all away
.

Imagine the man described in Scripture as having a devil accusing the Son of God!!

5. This rock opera accuses God of terrible sin. This opera takes away the accountability of man for his own sin and makes God to blame for the evils deeds of men. The opera has Judas saying: 
God! I'll never know why you chose me for your crime,
For your foul, bloody crime
You have murdered me! You have murdered me!
 

Judas was responsible for his own moral actions and generally men and women go to hell for their own sin not because God sends them there.

Conclusion
These are not minor, insignificant points which can be passed over and neglected about this opera. These are serious errors, defamatory to Christ and grieving to any who truly love Jesus Christ as their own and personal Saviour. 

Ultimately this is a breaking of the third commandment which warns us: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, Exodus 20:6. This third commandment forbids the peddling of falsehoods about the person of God. Is this not what this opera is doing? Is this not what Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and all who play a part in any production of this opera, are doing? 

The Scripture counsels us to abstain from all appearance of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:22. That counsel is well worth heeding in relation to this opera. 

16 comments:

JCS Fan said...

This was pretty misinformed overall. I appreciate your research, but a lot your points don't really make sense.

JCS is simply a depiction of Jesus as a man (of which he was both man and God).

It is told from the point of view of Judas and it paints an interesting picture that explains why Judas betrayed him. Judas after all was a thinking and feeling human being. To assume he was some guy who was suddenly possessed by a devil is not very realistic.

You're forgetting that the Bible itself doesn't really depict all of Christ's life. Age 12 to 27 is left out. So no one really knows every single detail.

The movie/play is definitely not blasphemous. It does not in any way portray Jesus in a bad light. I find it to be moving and pretty powerful. If anything it has made me a stronger Christian.

Rev Brian McClung said...

JCS Fan

I think it is you who is 'pretty misinformed'.

Jesus Christ Superstar portrays Jesus Christ as a 'sinful' man, something he was not and never could or can be!! Therefore it is not factual. It is a presentation based upon a lie. A lie that insults the purity of the Son of God, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, 1 Peter 2:22. Therefore it most certainly is blasphemous to Jesus Christ.

JCS has come into existence through the sinful prejudice of two unconverted men who have low views of the person of Jesus Christ.

For you to claim that the views of a traitor like Judas Iscariot 'makes you a stronger Christian' is absolutely staggering.

Since when did the 'lie' every make anyone a stronger Christian. No lie is of the truth, 1 John 2:21. It is the truth alone that sets a person free, John 8:32. To claim that a rock opera makes anyone a stronger Christian is the height of folly!

The Word of God and historic orthodox Christianity clearly teach that the means of grace, i.e. that which makes a Christian stronger, are the Word of God, read and preached; prayer and the sacraments. Now where exactly does a rock opera, based upon a lie, fit into this definition? It simply doesn't!!

Those who watch and support such a production are most certainly failing to keep the command given in John 5:2: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Brian McClung

JCS Fan said...

I'm not at all saying that the views of Judas Iscariot make me a stronger Christian. The entire movie is not Judas' account of Jesus. We are introduced to Judas' character at the beginning and he has concerns of Jesus' fame. Many other parts are from Jesus' own point of view.

This doesn't claim to be an absolute factual account of of Judas' feelings. It's an educated assumption as there is no detail in the Bible, which is what is interesting. It delves into what Judas could have been thinking at the time and what possibly could have led him to betray Jesus. It's an interesting study I think.

It doesn't portray Jesus as a sinner in any way at all. Not once in this movie/play does Jesus commit a sin. As far as any relation with Jesus and Mary all Judas says is that Mary kissed Jesus' hair. That would inmply kissing the top of his head. In what way is that sinful?

Regarding Gethsemene, Jesus (as a man) is portrayed as having concerns about dying and sacrificing himself for humanity. He knows it must be done. He is concerned that mankind won't care. Because of this, the Gethsemene song is very powerful. Of course Jesus was/is also God. So would he really have had these thoughts? Maybe... maybe not. It's a powerful scene nonetheless.


I enjoy the movie for its sybolism as well. The modern themes and anachronisms work well to describe both the politcal strife at the time as well as showing that if Jesus did actually come in this day and age, the same thing probably would have happened to him. This is why at the end of the movie the entire cast gets back on the bus, but Jesus does not.

You also state that the movie says Jesus is "just a man." This is not true. Mary says this in her song "I don't know how to love him." She is at odds with her feelings about him. She's trying to convince herself that he's just a man, but we as the audience know that is not the case.

It sounds like you have some trouble understanding the movie/play. It seems to me that you started this as a witch hunt and decided to pick apart something without actually trying to see what it was really about.

This is proven in the way you completely missed my point in my first post by assuming that I "claim the views of a traitor like Judas iscariot makes me a stronger Christian."

Rev Brian McClung said...

JCS Fan

I think you need to read my article again as well as your own previous comment.

You did indeed say that the opera was the viewpoint of Judas Iscariot. Here is what you said: "It is told from the point of view of Judas and it paints an interesting picture that explains why Judas betrayed him"; and you did indeed say that: "If anything it has made me a stronger Christian". Therefore the statement I made in my previous comment is wholly accurate: "For you to claim that the views of a traitor like Judas Iscariot 'makes you a stronger Christian' is absolutely staggering". I didn't miss the point as you claim, I just took your words at face value.

You were correct the first time. This rock opera is indeed supposedly told from Judas' viewpoint. In reading back over your first comment I see that you said: "To assume he was some guy who was suddenly possessed by a devil is not very realistic". This is what the Bible says about Judas: "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" John 6:70. Are you now disagreeing with the Word of God?

It does portray Jesus Christ as a sinner. So much so that in one production at the Opera House in Belfast they changed the scene where it implied that Christ was the lover of Mary and that she was a harlot. I know this to be so as I was directly told this at the protest by one of those involved in the production of that particular show. The original and many other productions of Jesus Christ Superstar do not remove the scene. The fact that on one occasion in Belfast this change was changed passes judgment on every other occasion when it is included.

Your comments about Jesus Christ and Gethsemane are at best misguided: "So would he really have had these thoughts? Maybe... maybe not". Your words demonstrate very clearly the nature of the opera, that the lasting impression someone is left with is that they don't know whether Jesus Christ as God had these thoughts or not. Jesus Christ did not in the garden have concerns/regrets about dying for mankind. That is a misrepresentation.

The opera does most definitely portray Christ only as a man. You don't have to take my word for this you can take the word of Tim Rice who wrote the lyrics. He is on record as saying: "For me it obviously indicates that, Christ was just a super-prophet who - a fantastic man, who made a big mark on his time, and we don’t really know all that much about him. The fact that an awful lot happened in Christ’s life that could easily be legend, I don’t think diminishes the importance of the legend. But, I think, as the years roll on, in the 20th and 21st centuries, I think less and less people are going to think of Christ as a god, and I think more people are going to see him as a generally good thing. I don’t see him as a god at all, and the opera doesn’t categorically say he wasn’t but I think it leaves the question very open".

I quoted this in my original article. That is why I said at the beginning of this comment you needed to read my article again. Tim Rice doesn't hide his viewpoint. It seems you are having trouble accepting what the author of the lyrics has to say.

Brian McClung

JCS Fan said...

I completely agree with you about the depiction of Mary Magdalene. It was a misinterpretation by many to assume she was a prostitute. There are multiple women named Mary in the Gospels. There was a Mary who was a "harlot" as you say, but it was not necessarily Mary Magdelene.

It has been touched on by many that Jesus may have had some type of relationship with Mary. Like I said before the Bible is pretty lacking on details. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with that, but it is included based on some historical research. If Jesus was actually in a relationship or was even married (as some believe) I would think it would be in at least one of the Gospels.

I'm speaking of the original film version as well as the 7 live productions I have seen. In my opinion Jesus is not portrayed as being ONLY man. Just because Tim Rice has this opinion of Jesus doesn't mean the story implies this ideal. Rice even says that the movie leaves it open and doesn't specify that Jesus is only a man. Rice and Webber don't seem to have low views of Jesus. One believes he was just a great prophet and it's not entirely clear what Webber believes, but these are opinions that differ from yours. That doesn't make them wrong. Having an open mind and thinking of different possibilities is not evil.

Many people of the time viewed Jesus as only a man. This is the reason he was put to death. The film/play shows this. Pilate didn't believe Jesus was God. The angry mob certainly didn't. The apostles of course did, but Judas had doubts. Also, the movie doesn't portray God as a sinner either. The movie isn't stating that God killed Judas. Judas says this because he feels used. I find it to be an interesting point. Someone had to betray Jesus or turn him in. How else would he be able to die for our sins. I will say that Judas in this moment realized that Jesus was in fact the son of God. He acknowledges this in the song "Superstar" as well.

My first comment was simple and lacking detail. Yes I said the story is from the point of view of Judas. Aspects of the story are, but not all of it. We are given a perspective and a reasoning behind why one of Jesus' followers would betray him. It's a character study and it was revolutionary for its time.

Having a different perspective on something does not make it incorrect or blasphemous.

Rev Brian McClung said...

JCS Fan

I fundamentally disagree with you comments.

1. There is no Mary in the Scriptures who was a harlot. There is Mary the mother our Lord's humanity; Mary Magdalene; Mary the sister of Lazarus; Mary, the mother of John Mark; Mary, mother of James and Joses; Mary, a believer in Rome. None of these women were harlots!

2. Christ did not have any relationship with Mary. The Bible does not lack details on this as you assert, cf. Luke 20:34,35. The subject is not open to question. Christ was not in a sexual relationship with anyone. The Scriptures fully bear testimony to this fact.

3. Tim Rice's opinion does count. He wrote the opera and give the interview I quoted from prior to its original performance. This is his view of the Christ portrayed in JCS.
You cannot have an open mind or hold a different perspective about anything that the Bible makes specific statements of truth about. To hold an open mind/different perspective in these circumstances is wrong, for it is rebellion against God's revealed word and will. It is a denial of the truth. If you are not for Christ you are against Him, cf. Matt 12:30.

4. JCS does indeed accuse God of sin. Read the lyrics I quote in the article again:
"God! I'll never know why you chose me for your crime,
For your foul, bloody crime.
You have murdered me! You have murdered me!"

When the Scriptures state that the Jews killed Jesus Christ, Acts 2:23; 3:14,15; 7:52, that is exactly what they mean. When sentiments like those quoted above are included in JCS accusing God of murder they are offensive and blasphemous towards God. To include words like this is to indulge the thought! The thought is equally sin.

That which portrays Christ in a manner contrary to the Scriptures is wrong, it is an attack upon His person. Something which the devil is always busy doing. It is even worse when this is done for entertainment purposes and making money. It is no different to those who jeered as Christ hung on the cross.

Brian McClung

JCS Fan said...

You're correct. There is no specific reference to a Mary who was a harlot. What I meant was that it was assumed by many that Mary Magdeline was the harlot who was about to be stoned (when Jesus said "He who is without sin cast the first stone"). This is why Jesus says this to Judas in Mary's defense in JCS. (Yes, I know Jesus didn't really say this to Judas in the Bible).

It's portrayed that way in many movies about Christ as well. I even learned it in my Bible class in middle school. I said that I disagree with that. You're correct there is no specific reference to a Mary who was a harlot. The confusion lies in that there IS a harlot mentioned and shortly afterward Mary Magdalene is introduced.

Just because Judas is depicted as accusing God of murder doesn't mean Rice and Webber BELIEVE this too. The movie itself is not accusing God. Have you ever seen any other movies? Do you think that anytime a character is wrong or evil that means the writer is evil or agrees with what that specific character says? Your argument makes no sense. By your logic then the Bible is evil or against God because Satan is depicted as being against God and also trying to tempt Christ into using his power to rule. Obviously the Bible is not evil.

Just because it shows Judas' point of view throughout sections of the movie doesn't mean that he is the good guy. Just because I find it interesting to see it from what Judas' perspective could have been, doesn't mean I agree with Judas or find him to be an inspiration. It's just another perspective.

According to your responses it would seem that different perspectives aren't allowed. Anything different from your specific personal understanding of the material, whether it be The Bible, or something like JCS, is obviously wrong.

Of course we fundamentally disagree. If I agreed with you I wouldn't have commented about how I disagree with your view.

I appreciate your knowledge of the scriptres, I really do. But I completely do not share your perception of JCS. I love the movie and I always will. It has been my favorite musical since I was a kid and I think it paints an intresting picture. Just because I love the movie doesn't mean I believe everything in the movie is 100% true. Can't you see that?

Rev Brian McClung said...

JCS Fan



I think you need to practice a little of 'mean what you say and say what you mean'. You make statements/comments about something, then when the error of them is pointed out, you either say that's not what you meant or something else by ay of excuse. There seems little point in having a discussion along these lines.



You also misquote and misrepresent what I said. I did not say: "…different perspectives aren't allowed. Anything different from your specific personal understanding of the material, whether it be The Bible, or something like JCS, is obviously wrong". What I did say was: "You cannot have an open mind or hold a different perspective about anything that the Bible makes specific statements of truth about." For Rice or Webber to cast doubt, ie to have an open mind, upon the person of Jesus Christ is wrong when the Bible makes specific statements as to who He is. It has nothing to do with my or your personal understanding of anything.



What spiritual profit could there ever be in watching or listening to that which is fictitious and contrary to revealed truth? It may please the flesh but it doesn't do our souls any good. As I stated before no lie is of the truth and the Word of God teaches that true charity/love: Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, 1 Cor 13:6. You can't attend this blasphemous production of JCS and rejoice in the truth for the truth is not present. It is based upon habitual lies. Worse, it is designed to entertain based upon lies. If you find delight in attending that which is thus based then that says more about you.



No, I don't watch movies as I don't believe a born again Christian should be found in a cinema or theatre. The movie IS accusing God of sin. It is not reporting 'fact' as the Bible does when it reports the evil opposition of evil/angels to the Lord. JCS is making an evil insinuation based upon the prejudice of the authors. You fail to make this distinction hence I think it is your line of argument that makes on sense. You fail to distinguish between the reporting of fact and the crude, fictitious slurs of ungodly men.



In typing this reply I am reminded of the words of Phil 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. You could not practice this precept when watching JCS. It does not and could not fit into this verse and therefore no Christian should be in attendance where it is performed. Not if they want to please God, honour Christ and obey the plain statements of Scripture.



Brian McClung

JCS Fan said...

It was interesting to discuss this subject at first. But, now it's tired as rational thought is out the window.





Rev Brian McClung said...

JCS Fan

My sentiments exactly. At last we agree on something!

Brian McClung

Anne said...

Thankyou Rev McClung for this post. I have been searching the internet for some sane discussion about this production. I know it has been around for many decades, but I find it offensive. Many christians apparently do not, and in fact think it's a great means by which the gospel can be preached.

It never ceases to amaze me that so many Christians believe that you have to use some tool or other to preach the gospel. In fact, what it does is point to the fact that these people themselves do not understand the gospel.

When Jesus preached or spoke to men he often said "he who has an ear to hear, let him hear". The gospel message is simple and compelling, but only to him who has an ear to hear. Consequently, Rice and Lloyd Webber, who manifestly DID NOT have ears to hear have portrayed Jesus as an unbeliever sees him. They do what they are limited to doing, portraying him as a man, moreover, as a carnal man with no spiritual understanding whatsoever. They have in fact, made him in their own image. They might as well have made a golden calf and stuck it up on the stage for all the good it will do to anyone's eternal salvation. On the other hand, I doubt that they intended for it to be a tool to preach the gospel. Which then begs the question, what else will a carnal man do with Christ if they do not glorify him? Of course, they will mock and reject him. JCS, exhibit A.

Those christians who claim that this production is a good means to preach the gospel message likewise do not have ears to hear. The gospel message strikes a man where he stands. It engulfs his heart and takes him to his knees. A man cries out to God himself, "what must I do to be saved".

On the day Christ was crucified for our sins, made a punishment for our iniquity, there were many men who witnessed his death. There were those who mocked him and told him to come down from the cross, and those few like the centurion, and the thief who humbly acknowledged him as God. There is no other way to see Christ. This guff about him being 'just a prophet' is laughable. A prophet of what Mr. Rice? I think you are just trying to be politically correct. You don't want to come out as an out and out blasphemer, so you couch your objections in polite terms so nobody can accuse you of being what you are.

While it is terribly offensive to see this production paraded around the world as a pretended 'homage' to Christ, or worse, to Judas, it is even more offensive to my mind, to see Christians believing it to be a good thing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Reverend McClung, for revealing the truth about this movie. So many people have been deceived by this abomination. It sends out the message from beginning to end, that Jesus was a just a nice guy who started out doing good works but got so full of himself that he thought he was the son of God. That's why Judas sings, "...You've started to believe the things they said of you. You really do believe this talk of God is true...I remember when this whole thing began. No talk of God then; we called you a man. And they'll hurt you when they think you've lied..." The filmmakers belief that Jesus isn't the messiah is why Judas is shown in a sympathetic light as a friend who's trying to bring a deluded Jesus back to reality. That's why the term superstar is used as a way of mocking him throughout the movie.
It's sad that so many Christians have been deceived to the point where they will even perform this filth in churches.

Helen said...

Of course Jesus Christ Superstar is a show which focuses on an alternative view of the story of Jesus. Those have been around for as long as the scriptures which found their way into the bible. The Gnostics, Arians, Marcionites, Ebionites all had different views of who Jesus was. God. Son of God. Good man favoured by God. Saviour of humanity from God. The Catholics won so these Christianities died out. It is very interesting from a historical point of view to see another viewpoint at this late stage. Encouraging to see that Christian doctrine, like everything else in history, can be considered from other angles. Of course people who believe Christ was the perfect son of God will not agree with Jesus Christ Superstar but we don't all have to agree and there are already plenty of films and shows which do present the biblical version.

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Anonymous said...

Jesus Christ Superstar is not blasphemous....as for some of the other remarks the possibility that Jesus may in fact have been married or had a child is still very real...just because at certain times in history his siblings have been ignored etc does nit mean literal interpretations should always be taken....nor does it lessen the teachings he gave whether or not you completely believe that Mary his mother was a virgin....

Rev Brian McClung said...

Anonymous

Anything that attacks the person of Jesus Christ and presents Him as a sinner is blasphemous.

Brian McClung