Jesus Christ Superstar - Traditional Latin View

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bombacho

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Hello,
I joined this forum in order to have this one question settled. The fact is that I can barely call myself religious and even less determine myself as Catholic (even though I was babtized and had my first comunion as one). The thing is, I am now going out with a French girl who while in France always attended Latin Mass as well as her entire family. She is quite zealous, to which is why I have been acompanying her to these masses here in Chile and I have been quite intregued by them. I find there is something within this traditional system which is truly lost in our common day masses.

Anyhow. The thing is that I am quite fond of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar which she has never seen. My question is… would she find it disrespective as a traditional?
 
bombacho said:
Hello,
I joined this forum in order to have this one question settled. The fact is that I can barely call myself religious and even less determine myself as Catholic (even though I was babtized and had my first comunion as one). The thing is, I am now going out with a French girl who while in France always attended Latin Mass as well as her entire family. She is quite zealous, to which is why I have been acompanying her to these masses here in Chile and I have been quite intregued by them. I find there is something within this traditional system which is truly lost in our common day masses.

Anyhow. The thing is that I am quite fond of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar which she has never seen. My question is… would she find it disrespective as a traditional?
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Maybe. I wouldn’t be surprised. It certainly isn’t what one might call doctrinally sound - but it doesn’t try to be. It very much emphasizes Christ’s humanity, some might say at the expense of his divinity, and he is a bit of a depressive type in the story.

I actually rather like it too, though I don’t agree with many of it’s theological approaches. It is a bit of a period piece, very 1960/70s in feel, with all its “Christ as social rebel” stuff, and I find it a bit fun from that perspective - a bit “retro” . But I think some people would find retro Christianity offensive, especially if that had to live through it themselves.
 
Since it’s nothing more than a popular entertainment (though an emotionally powerful theatre piece), why would there be a “traditional Latin” view of it? Individual priests and publications might issue their opinions–but that’s all they would be: the opinions of the issuer.

Here’s my personal opinion: Great theatre and music, lousy theology. But I don’t expect sound theology from Broadway or Hollywood, so I don’t get upset at what they produce.
 
One of the most upsetting lines from the musical is at the last supper, when Jesus sings “For all you care, this bread could be my body”

Like the previous posters have said, poor theology.
 
I love that movie. The first time I saw it was in Catholic grade school. The pastor played it for us.

From what he told us, the church originally said it was bad news when it first came out. But since then, they have accepted it as ok. That doesn’t sound very specific, but its the best I can remember from what I was told in 8th grade. 🙂

I think it would be a great movie to share with a catholic or non-catholic, but I would preface it saying “hey, some people think this movie is garbage or even disrespectful, but some people like it. I like it because x,y,z. Lets watch it, see if what you think.” Or something like that.

Good luck!
 
bombacho said:
Anyhow. The thing is that I am quite fond of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar which she has never seen. My question is… would she find it disrespective as a traditional?
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Yes. Jesus Christ Superstar is not something a Traditional Catholic will appreciate.
 
I agree with Ultima Ratio on this one. I just don’t like the film. My taste is for “The Passion of the Christ”.
 
I’m afraid that popular entertainment lost me at the word ‘Superstar’. To be avoided.

I’ve noticed that Hollywood doesn’t do Catholicism is a positive light full stop. I suspect its citizens don’t dare invoke the names of Jesus Christ, The Blessed Virgin Mary or the archangels, for when you do, they draw near and that would put a damper on the unholy junk they broadcast.

e.g. You’ll find plenty of films and programs featuring devils and vampires but very few featuring angels by name or at all.

I wouldn’t like to be Andrew LLoyd Webber, if that musical is as superficial and incorrect as I suspect. Imagine having to explain yourself to its Subject after your death.

Now, a well-done, faithful bio-pic of St. Padre Pio with good special effects would be a real thrill and good cinema. It would even have riots and WWII! Scope for drama, there, by gum, and beautiful, mystical scenes.
 
bombacho,

I know EXACTLY where you’re coming from. I was about 13 or so when that movie came out in the theatres. I was a non-denominational Christian at the time; I had read the New Testament cover to cover a number of times, but was completely unchurched. My opinion of it then was: I LOVED the MUSIC, enjoyed the creative use of simple props, etc., but I was a little disappointed with the message. Jesus just seemed a wee bit too human, his “love and peace” message just a little too contemporary.

NOW, as a traditional Catholic… well, it just doesn’t work at all. The subject is just WAY TO SERIOUS to treat so lightly.If she’s attending Latin Mass, I’m sure her opinion will be similar to mine.

So PLEASE take my advice: SHE WON’T LIKE IT.
 
Cheers to everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I have touched this point lightly with her, thinking at first that she would be thrilled, but she simply avoided it and asked me what other movie I had. I touched on the point another time and it was lately that my father told me that it may be a bit upsetting to someone like her to which of course I could not see why. But all in all, I wanted to get the view point of others who may be like her and have already seen it in order to see if it may be offensive to her.

Of course I now I perceive unfortunately that it may very well be, so I wont ever bring up the subject of watching it again.

Just one more question… would this apply to the music as well? For example if I play the CD in the car… would it also be somewhat inappropriate?

Thanks again…
 
bombacho said:
Hello,
I joined this forum in order to have this one question settled. The fact is that I can barely call myself religious and even less determine myself as Catholic (even though I was babtized and had my first comunion as one). The thing is, I am now going out with a French girl who while in France always attended Latin Mass as well as her entire family. She is quite zealous, to which is why I have been acompanying her to these masses here in Chile and I have been quite intregued by them. I find there is something within this traditional system which is truly lost in our common day masses.

Anyhow. The thing is that I am quite fond of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar which she has never seen. My question is… would she find it disrespective as a traditional?
Click to expand...
I may not be so traditional that I go to Latin Mass (yet, I’m getting there lol). But at least from my view there’s nothing wrong with Jesus Christ: Super Star. In fact I love it, I grew up with it and it’s an Easter Tradtiion for me. More over, I know all the words, of every song by heart.

Sure it takes some artistic licenses here and there, but then again so did Passion and almost every other good religious film I’ve seen. If she doesn’t like it, then it probably isn’t for reasons of faith strictly speaking.

Additionally, I’m happy to hear that you are finding some connection with the Latin Mass. Please continue going with your Girl Friend, I hope you will soon find your self with a strong burning faith. God bless
 
bombacho said:
Just one more question… would this apply to the music as well? For example if I play the CD in the car… would it also be somewhat inappropriate?

Thanks again…
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If you want to score some real points, download a beautiful version of Ave Maria and put that in while your driving.
 
I can remember when the record (LP 33 1/3) came out the year after I graduated from a Catholic boy’s high school. I actually got to see the off-Broadway touring cast perform in Chicago when I was in the Navy in 1971.

I would rather have seen the Chicago Symphony and chorus sing a Haydn Mass. The very thought that this musical as “traditional” sends shivers up my spine.
 
Its really a “different strokes for different folks” type thing. As said before, while the music itself is quite enjoyable it is a poor attempt at explaining Christ and His mission here on earth. There really is no “traditional” or “non-traditional” view to it; it all boils down to personal taste.
 
Timothysis said:
There really is no “traditional” or “non-traditional” view to it; it all boils down to personal taste.
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I would say it all boils down to the sensus Catholicus. If you have it, you will have an interior disgust for any movie that distorts the true Christ. The sensus Catholicus will pick up on it right away and the person will be disgusted.
 
Ultima_Ratio said:
I would say it all boils down to the sensus Catholicus. If you have it, you will have an interior disgust for any movie that distorts the true Christ. The sensus Catholicus will pick up on it right away and the person will be disgusted.
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Sorry, but I don’t buy your "traditional Catholics are better Catholics" argument. A person’s personal taste is just that, personal taste. I don’t care for the Jesus Christ Superstar movie because I think it is hopelessly dated, but the original album contains some very fine and dramatic music. If you are looking for a synopsis of Catholic theology, then don’t look in JCS, anymore than you would look at the movie Ben Hur or the Ten Commandments. It’s about entertainment.

Also, you assume that, as a “traditional” catholic, you hold the notion of “the true Christ.” I can assure you that you can ask the same question about Christ to ten good Catholics, be they laity or religious, and will very well get ten different answers. Even the four gospels present different points of view of Christ. Whenever a person attempts an interpretation of Christ they reveal more about themselves than Him.
 
bombacho said:
I have touched this point lightly with her, thinking at first that she would be thrilled, but she simply avoided it and asked me what other movie I had.
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It sounds to me like she probably has a negative opinion of this movie.
bombacho said:
Just one more question… would this apply to the music as well? For example if I play the CD in the car… would it also be somewhat inappropriate?
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If she dislikes the movie, your friend probably will not want to listen to the soundtrack from it, especially this movie, since the music is such a big part of the movie.
 
I’m sorry I was neutral on it when it came out, some catchy tunes but even then the theology was bad enough to raise eyebrows even in my ignorance. Now everything about it gags me, but it is so dated and so 70s–even the disco costumes–she may hate it just for that reason, but somebody who prefers the Latin Mass will hate this musical
 
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