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A star-studded performance of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl featured Cynthia Erivo, Adam Lambert, and Phillipa Soo in a dramatic, stylized retelling of Jesus’ final days. While the show captivates with musical brilliance and emotional depth, it ends without portraying the resurrection, offering a vision of Christ that stops at the grave.
This scene has many Christians questioning: Is this a mockery of the Gospel or a poor attempt at sharing it? Did these industry stars mean well but fall short? More importantly, how should we respond? While shows like these are powerful, they ultimately miss the mark. If the world is moved by the story of Christ’s suffering but refuses His resurrection, are we honoring Jesus—or editing Him?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of the Gospel. To use Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15, without it, we have inspiration, a good man, but no salvation:
“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19, NIV).
The Appeal of a Cross Without a Crown
To many, the cross of Christ appears foolish or insane. What human being, in their right mind, would die for guilty criminals? 1 Corinthians 1:18 explains the phenomenon this way: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (NIV). But you see, Jesus Christ wasn’t just a good human; He was also fully God. When we try to separate His death from His resurrection, we divide the cross from the crown.
This is where stylized versions of Jesus Christ Superstar appeal to 21st-century seekers. We obtain a cultural fascination with Jesus as a tragic hero and praise performances by individuals like Cynthia Erivo, Adam Lambert, and Phillipa Soo. And yet, the true Jesus doesn’t stop at being a tragic hero.
When shows, books, and movies that portray His suffering and death stop short of His victory, they’ve missed the point of the Gospel entirely. Audiences resonate with pain, injustice, and sacrifice—but not necessarily the supernatural claim of resurrection. This allows for partial acceptance of the Gospel—cherry picking and choosing what we want and throwing out the rest. But to do this is null and void. You’re either for God or against Him. You believe all of the Scriptures or none of them. You stand on who Jesus says He is, or you don’t.
Sadly, many historical examples of this partial acceptance exist. Other portrayals like The Last Temptation of Christ, certain modern Easter specials, or secular history documentaries also fall short of accurate Gospel truth. They are emotional and striking, but incomplete. We’re inspired by love and even sacrifice, but stop there. And friends, if Jesus is your martyr, but not your Savior, you’ve missed Him altogether.