Jesus Christ Superstar | Themes

Jesus Christ Superstar Themes

God and Religion

Jesus Christ Superstar is not simply a portrayal of the historical figure of Jesus, a rabbi who promoted the idea of loving one's enemy, but an exploration of the star status of Jesus, who gathered around him a following of devoted disciples and had a timeless, worldwide impact. According to critic James R. Huffman in the Journal of Popular Culture, works like this one "ask the right questions, but allow each individual to provide his own answers. " One of the questions it asks is what kind of relationship one should have with God and/or Jesus. A range of responses is portrayed, from Mary's loyal, personal devotion that threatens to border on physical passion, to Judas's skepticism and betrayal. Mary's relationship represents the person who embraces the values of Christianity and wants a personal connection to God but cannot achieve it: Mary doesn't "know how to love him." Judas represents...
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