Jesus Christ Superstar?

[Lost_Wanderer]

I find that often, when people try to make Christianity “cool and relateable” to modern youth, it ends up losing a lot of its depth… I say this as a modern young person I actually prefer to keep it traditional.

That’s pretty much my reason for telling people not to mix entertainment with religion. Then again, both are very (and equally) important needs for human civilization. ;p

Do I take it as serious theology? Of course not. Is it something nice to listen/watch for leisure? As you can see from this thread, that seems to be the case. Personally, I think the songs are catchy.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

I agree with you guys, but I do think it presents valuable spiritual insight in at least one way: its portrayal of the futility of the world’s necrophobia (to borrow von Balthasar’s term). All the characters struggle against death, sacrifice, etc. in some way, either for themselves, their country, or others they love, and the results are disastrous. Only Jesus realizes death’s inevitability and efficacy in JCS…

 

[crazzeto]

With regard to spiritual depth,

I would agree that JCS isn’t particularly deep. But then again, it’s a short film made for pop culture and thus I don’t think this is it’s role. What I think it’s best role is, however, is to offer at least a presentable introduction to the faith. Yes, even despite the errors it, I would suggest it offers a good, general introduction to the “main players” of the faith.

It certainly helped me make Jesus more carnal when I was younger, and far less able to mentally translate Sunday bible readings into a real person.

 

[Tsuwano]

I think it is a mistake to dismiss JCS as not a particularly deep piece of theology. Theology is simply human reflection on the human experience of God. JCS is one person’s reflection on his experience of God and the themes and questions raised are important and have been raised by many theologians in the past. Indeed, this one person’s reflection has resonated with many people around the world. I don’t think the themes and questions are shallow, but I do think the media is limited. Given the limitations of presenting such theological questions within the format of a “rock opera” in an age which views religion with scepticism, I think JCS does very well and has been successful for the past 40 years. JCS is not Thomas Aquinas and was never meant to be, any more than the average Joe’s prayers to God are as profound as the prayers of St. Theresa of Avila. This doesn’t mean the average Joe’s prayers lack meaning or shouldn’t be taken seriously or that they do not perform the role for which they were constructed. JCS should be taken on its own merits and not compared to “deeper” theology.

 

[Gordon_Sims]

This thread made me want to watch Godspell. I’d never seen it before so I went ahead and ordered it from Netflix. I’ve never seen a movie about Jesus that had me so eager for the Passion.

 

[patrick457]

This thread made me want to watch Godspell. I’d never seen it before so I went ahead and ordered it from Netflix. I’ve never seen a movie about Jesus that had me so eager for the Passion.

Which reminds me: I really need to get back on my little analysis!

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

Which reminds me: I really need to get back on my little analysis!

Yes!

 

[Faithdancer]

Emphasis is mine:

If the USCCB didn’t have a problem with it, I don’t know why anyone else would.

Good point OrangeOwl. Speaking as a musical theater choreographer, I think that there is some music in this production that has stood the test of time “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Everything’s Alright” for example, both sung originally by Yvonne Elliman. For me, the staging in the film version of “I Don’t Know…” suggests a woman wrestling with her own spiritual love for Jesus, and her growing awareness of his divinity.

 

[Faithdancer]

You are right, Monica. JCS lack theological depth and depends on speculation and questionable wording. I still like it though. Not everything I do in life is deep and theologically profound. Somethings feed my intellect. Other things feed my heart. That is why I love both great traditional hymns and praise; apologetics and the back fence.

Agree! And if any pop production somehow manages to bring more people, particularly those without faith, to think about Jesus and the Gospels, perhaps even to pick up a Bible and read a bit, I think that’s a good outcome.

 

[Faithdancer]

This Jesus Must Die

Good Caiaphas, the council waits for you:
The Pharisees and priests are here for you.

Just a side note here. Many people assume that those who handed Jesus over to death were Pharisees, because of Jesus’ frequent clashes with them and the side remarks that they so wanted to put Him to death, or at least they equate the Temple priesthood with the Pharisees. This however is a misconception that is apparently not supported by the Gospels themselves. I shall shamelessly quote myself again here:

I’ve always loved this song, one of the best in the whole musical, I think, from a musical standpoint. The staging in the 1973 film was, I think, also standout, with the Pharisees placed on a kind of scaffolding like black crows, harbingers of death, and periodically rapping their hands in unison on the railing. Their hats weren’t too shabby either!

 

[Road2Damascus]

Great music, our local Catholic Church did a performance so it must be accepted.

But I’ve always thought the music was really keen.

 

[Cowboy_Pete]

what is wrong with the latest Narnia movie? I liked it.

wow I really don’t like that quote…

btw the version I mean is the movie… the original one (?)

do you think that if a child saw it, would they get confused about whether Jesus is God, etc?

btw I have never felt comfortable with this movie/play, even though I don’t know much about it, but what I do know, I don’t really like. So I wanted to check with those who’ve actually seen it and know what it is like

God bless

I’m not comfortable with it either, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The gospels indicate that Herod really was blasphemous. As painful as that was to watch, it was quite true to the text.

I don’t think that the movie itself mocks Christ. It depicts persons who mocked Christ.

The reason that I’ve watched the show several times, and will probably watch it again, despite my discomfort, is this:

After all the doubt and extreme secularism, even stripping the story of all its miraculous elements, even stopping the story short of the resurrection, **they still can’t dismiss Jesus Christ as “just a man.” **They keep saying that, but every time they say it, they seem less convinced.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

After all the doubt and extreme secularism, even stripping the story of all its miraculous elements, even stopping the story short of the resurrection, **they still can’t dismiss Jesus Christ as “just a man.” **They keep saying that, but every time they say it, they seem less convinced.

Exactly. I love that about Jesus Christ Superstar.

 

[bauerice]

This thread made me want to watch Godspell. I’d never seen it before so I went ahead and ordered it from Netflix. I’ve never seen a movie about Jesus that had me so eager for the Passion.

I think Jesus Christ Superstar can be looked at from many perspectives. Godspell on the other hand is chock full of scripture. Years later I looked back and was surprised at who played Jesus in the movie.

 

[Califman831]

I think Jesus Christ Superstar can be looked at from many perspectives. Godspell on the other hand is chock full of scripture. Years later I looked back and was surprised at who played Jesus in the movie.

Satan was also full of scripture when he tried to tempt Christ.

 

[Tsuwano]

Satan was also full of scripture when he tried to tempt Christ.

It’s true that the devil himself can quote scriptures, but you’re not suggesting that the musical Godspell is evil, are you? Just wondering.