Jesus Christ, Superstar (Question)

[RevivedAgain]

I have a friend who claims to be a Christian, but he denies many of the very fundamental truths of Christianity. He thinks that all religions are just as legitimate, just different cultures. I've tried to witness to him some, but the fact is, he does intimidate me. He's very caustic and argumentative about a lot of things, not just Christianity. He has a tendency to 'get in people's faces' and turns a lot of people off.

So, he was laughing at one of his co-workers who he offended by singing the song, 'Jesus Christ, Superstar'. The co-worker is a Christian and thinks it's blasphemous. My friend obviously doesn't. He thought the movie was great. I told him I disagreed, that I found it to be blasphemous. But it'd been so long since I saw or read anything about the movie that I couldn't remember the key points. He wasn't looking for a debate about it. It just came up in conversation. But it has bugged me to no end that I didn't tell him specifically what was wrong with the movie. (By the way, I don't work with him. He was relating the incident between his co-worker and him to me.)

This is what I would like opinions on. I've found an article from Faith Free Presbyterian Church that describes why the movie is blasphemous. I've considered sending it to him through email, but I know how dismissive he is about everything, and how he has a strange way of deciphering things. Should I send it anyway, or should I let it go? Have I failed by not explaining to him why it's wrong?

He doesn't even grasp the fundamental truths of Christianity, even though he claims to be a Christian, so it seems like it's pointless to argue about the blasphemy of the movie.

[Styx_Ray]

You know I used to love Jesus Christ superstar. Played it over and over, sang the songs when I did not have the music on. It was like my worship time. This was when I was a Catholic, young and did not know much bible.

But as I read the bible more I found I did not like it any more.

One thing that bugs me is it does not finish the story, it needs a resurection. It ends with the death of Jeus and does not say what happens next. Basicly questions if Jeus could have accomplished more, well his death and resurection accomplished so much more then that movie ever states. Basicly the movie is from an un bleivers perspective.

Also, it gets a lot of facts wrong and petrays Jesus in alight that is un-scriptual. It still has cathy toons, but I can't listen to it any more.

Try Johny Cash's Gospel Road. I watched half of it tonight and I was impresed. Will watch the rest tommorow I hope. At points he is taking word for word out of scripture telling the story of Jesus.

You know, Jesus Christ superstar may open the door for him to belive as I belive it did for me. We all have to start some place, it may be blasphemous. But some people would not know it. I would have argued and denied that it was not blasphemous about 15 years ago. if he likes music, maybe Johny Cash's Gospel Road would attract him, he could learn more. Best of all get the peron to read the bible, that is the only way they will ever see that something is blasphemous.

He may have a differnt attitude then I over Jesus Christ superstar as an unbeliver sees the movie differntly. I think back then I knew the end of the story and wish it addressed a resurection. When maybe he enjoys it another level since you said he like to argue.

[RevivedAgain]

You know I used to love Jesus Christ superstar. Played it over and over, sag the songs when I did not have the music on. It was like my worship time. This was when I was a Catholic, young and did not know much bible.

But as I read the bible more I found I did not like it any more.

One thing that bugs me is it does not finish the story, it needs a resurection. It ends with the death of Jeus and does not say what happens next. Basicly questions if Jeus could have accomplished more, well his death and resurection accomplished so much more then that movie ever states. Basicly the movie is from an un bleivers perspective.

Also, it gets a lot of facts wrong and petrays Jesus in alight that is un-scriptual. It still has cathy toons, but I can't listen to it any more.

Try Johny Cash's Gospel Road. I watched half of it tonight and I was impresed. Will watch the rest tommorow I hope. At points he is taking word for word out of scripture telling the story of Jesus.

Thanks for the reply and I realize all of that about Jesus Christ Superstar. I was just questioning whether I should try to explain to my caustic friend what's wrong with it when basically it won't change his mind anyway.

I haven't heard of Johnny Cash's Gospel Road. I'd like to see that. I love Johnny Cash.

[Styx_Ray]

Ya I re-read your post. I would non argue if it gets you no place. The bottom line is to make him belive. Focus more on the core message.

Christ Lived
Died
Was ressurected

People can argue all day about other factors. Some churches don't think a beliver should listen to say Petra, or DC talk while other churches play these songs at sunday services.

The issue is his heart and if he belives. Focus on productive stuff like that and he will come around. Just I I now see Jesus Christ Superstar differntly.

[RevivedAgain]

Ya I re-read your post. I would non argue if it gets you no place. The bottom line is to make him belive. Focus more on the core message.

Christ Lived
Died
Was ressurected

People can argue all day about other factors. Some churches don't think a beliver should listen to say Petra, or DC talk while other churches play these songs at sunday services.

The issue is his heart and if he belives. Focus on productive stuff like that and he will come around. Just I I now see Jesus Christ Superstar differntly.

I know you're right. If he's not believing the fundamental truths to begin with, there's not much point of arguing about anything else. But I think initially, in our original conversation, if I'd been able to tell him what was wrong with Jesus Christ, Superstar, it would have led to the core truths and a witnessing opportunity. I hate bungling a chance like that.

[His Bride]

Your friend claims he is a Christian, but from what you have posted, that is unlikely. I agree that you should stick to core issues of sin, repentance, Jesus' substitutionary punishment. But if he argues any of it, stop. It isn't worth it. Leave the seeds and entrust him to the Lord. You are basically evangelizing.

[ZeldaCA]

There are many people out there these days who claim to be Christian, yet deny the resurrection, or the divinity of Jesus Himself. I would ask him how he feels about those things, and if he can't believe in either one of those things, then he's obviously a wolf in sheep's clothing and you are correct in your suspicions.

As far as the Jesus Christ Superstar play/film, I know quite a few kids in my junior high school who became born again after seeing it, and began attending church, so while it may not tell the whole story, it seems to have been a strong witnessing tool for many who saw it. I was really young when it came out though, so that's just my observation from way back then.

[patsyann]

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

I am not calling anyone a pig,but there comes a time when we have to stop trying to tell people about Jesus. When they turn our words on us and continually degrade and mock the Lord Jesus, then its time to stop.Keep praying, but dont give the enemy a chance to throw God's words back in your face.The word of God is more precious than pearls.I have family also that will not have me tell them about the Lord. I pray, but keep quiet until God says speak.

[watching4Him]

A member of the youth group that my girls are in at church is wanting them to watch the movie Jesus Christ Superstar. I have never seen the movie, but when I was in my high school choir we had to sing one of the songs. I hated the song then & I just went to you tube & showed the girls some of the songs. Sarah, my oldest wants nothing to do with watching the movie, she feels that it does not honor God. Rachel, my youngest said the songs were " stupid", she also does not want to watch the movie. I don't know if the youth minister will look into this movie or not. Should I speak up or keep my mouth shut & when they plan to show it allow the girls to stay home? I really feel like the youth minister is immature in some ways ( I'm, not the only one that feels this way). And really don't know if I should say anything or not?

[NoProvision]

It's a lame-o rock opera from the 70's. I saw the stage play in London in 1979 when I was 16. It's offensive and a waste of time. Someone should have a talk with that youth pastor.

[24thchance]

The answer is:does this rock opera glorify the name of Jesus ??,put Him in a good light or bad ?,if the world accepted and likes this great wickedness,it can,t be of God because the world at large rejects Godly stuff.--This musical is wrong on so many levels.

[DONNIE]

It is one of my all time favorite's. I see no more harm in it than I do Harry Potter movies and most accept them. Is it perfect? Are any movies depicting Jesus perfect? I have seen so many Jesus movies and find problems with them all.

[Acts5:41]

I've never seen the movie, but my husband has the CD, and "I don't know how to love Him" clearly depicts Mary Magdalene's love for Jesus in an "unholy" way. My husband found it useful for understanding the motivations behind Jesus being put to death. "This Jesus Must Die".

I have a problem with it, but I don't object. I don't listen to it on my own, though.