{"id":145948,"date":"2026-06-17T17:33:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=145948"},"modified":"2026-06-17T18:54:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T22:54:38","slug":"church-times-stephen-cherry-faith-theology-in-jesus-christ-superstar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=145948","title":{"rendered":"(Church Times) Stephen Cherry–Faith: Theology in\u00a0Jesus Christ Superstar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are some difficult-to-perform and difficult-to-witness scenes in\u00a0Superstar<\/em>. As a pastor, I found it relatable and moving to see Jesus overwhelmed by the neediness of the poor and sick. As one who prays, I identified with the protestations against God from the mouths of both Judas and Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not so easy to make connections with Pilate, but his self-awareness of his own lack of ability to follow rather than lead is perhaps a lesson about the holding of positional power. We all squirm at the jaunty Herod scene, with its easy-to-enjoy but difficult-to-think-about mockery. The everyday cruelty of mockery is something that I drew attention to in the pamphlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The central section, and the most difficult to write, was an attempt to distinguish the love at the heart of the Christian gospel from the romantic and erotic love of the stage \u2014 and indeed of much popular culture. The question what it means to \u201clove him\u201d is still a difficult and perplexing one, as the English language collapses all the nuances of attraction, affection, commitment, and care into a single word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Superstar <\/em>was first staged, many Christians protested and boycotted the theatre. Now that it is being revived, there is a chance to embrace it as an accessible and engaging retelling that can prompt deep and enriching theological explorations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theatre, even musical theatre, can be a gift to mission and theology if we approach it not through the lens of doctrine or accuracy, but with imagination and curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>

"An engaging retelling can prompt deep and enriching theological explorations."

As a production of #JesusChristSuperstar<\/a> returns to the West End in London, Stephen Cherry recalls the impact of an earlier staging
https:\/\/t.co\/A5rYlQlgHM<\/a><\/p>— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) June 14, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>