Jesus Christ Superstar

[Bastoune]

ARRRRRRGH!!!!!!

Just got into an arguement with a woman at work (who thinks she knows everything... about everything) claiming that "Jesus Christ Superstar" is an accurate portrayal of Judas, who never "really" betrayed Jesus. He was tricked!

She said, "Read the Bible, it's there" (She's a fallen-away Catholic; she believes what she wants... you know the type, hates the Church because the Church condemns contraception and actually has morality...) and when I read her scripture about Judas, she went on to say, "Well, I'm older than you and we were taught differently than you were." Claiming the theology of the Church changed. Showing her it didn't, she went ballistic.

But JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR as theologically sound...

Sorry... had to get that off my chest.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Jesus called Judas the "son of destruction" I believe...seems pretty clear-cut to me...but I have heard the various theories...ranging from Judas just wanting to motivate Jesus to fufill a military messianic role by fighting off those trying to arrest him and thus spark a revolt...to him being misunderstood, etc.

Hogwash.

PS

But I do wonder why Judas didn't freak out when Jesus told him at the Last Supper to "go do what you must" and Judas left to turn Jesus into the authorities.

 

[faerieevaH]

I like Jesus Christ Superstar. But to describe it as theologically accurate??? That would be a far stretch.

 

[Bastoune]

Well, for all we know Judas did freak out but he didn't show it, because he didn't want the others to figure it out. We know he had remorse but he never "repented" at all. Whatever his motivations, he B E T R A Y E D Jesus and didn't have to. He had the free will to do what he did.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Yep, he betrayed Him.

 

[Credo]

Just my opinion: Jesus Christ Superstar

 

[Christy4Christ]

In the movie last night I was torn between wanting to actually feel sorry for Judas and wanting to hate him. My thinking is this; Just as we cannot really hold the Jews responsible for the death of Jesus we cannot really hold Judas responsible either because he did what was already written in the plan. Judas' actions were foretold. I'm not sure how forgivness or absolution can be given to him now though because he committed suicide. The whole thing is a bit confusing to me. I guess it all boils down to God's will, He decides who gets to be forgiven.

 

[Christy4Christ]

oops and by the way I hate the movie Jesus Christ Super star....

 

[Borealis]

oops and by the way I hate the movie Jesus Christ Super star....

I have to disagree. Not for theological reasons; I know it's not scripturally accurate (I don't recall seeing tanks and AK-47s in the Gospel According to Matthew, but I haven't read all four of them yet ). But musically, it's a thing of beauty. As a musician, I have chosen 'Gethsemane' as my ideal for a dramatic musical number (Liebestraum No. 3 by Lizst is my ideal piano piece). If I can write something half as good as that in my lifetime, I'll feel I've accomplished something worthwhile. That music is just awesome to listen to.

Webber has written some commercial shlock (Phantom of the Opera, anyone?) but JCS was written for the music itself, not for the money. He was inspired to write that music, there's no question about it. It's his finest work, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Bastoune]

In the movie last night I was torn between wanting to actually feel sorry for Judas and wanting to hate him. My thinking is this; Just as we cannot really hold the Jews responsible for the death of Jesus we cannot really hold Judas responsible either because he did what was already written in the plan. Judas' actions were foretold. I'm not sure how forgivness or absolution can be given to him now though because he committed suicide. The whole thing is a bit confusing to me. I guess it all boils down to God's will, He decides who gets to be forgiven.

And the Gospel accounts, while certainly show his guilt in the matter, do compel us to feel sorry for him for some many reasons, on so many levels. After all, are we not supposed to have compassion, as Our Lord did for His persecutors while He was on the cross?!?

 

[garydench]

Indeed, Judas did betray Jesus but we cannot really blame him for that - it was God's intention that he would do so. Without Judas betraying Jesus, there would be no crucifixion and no resurrection and no Christianity. Judas was also a very close friend of Jesus.

 

[nyj]

Judas did betray Jesus but we cannot really blame him for that...

Why not? If I betrayed a friend which lead to their death, would I be held blameless?

 

[PeterPaul]

A without Hitler? I think there is a fine line between what was meant to be and free will don't you? Are we saying Judas didn't have free will and is not guilty? I know the point is mute but I never could understand this new thought that Judas is probably in Heaven because he was a puppet.

 

[Bastoune]

It's an example of man's sins working into God's plan... God plans something with His foreknowledge around and in spite of our sin.