AdventHealth Sponsors the Blasphemous Jesus Christ SuperStar Musical, which Depicts Christ as Selfish, Arrogant, Conflicted, Unaware of His Mission, and Romantically Connected

After partnering with the “Wicked” witches event, you would have thought that AdventHealth’s corporate sponsorships couldn’t get any worse, but they just did. When a group, institution, or organization hits rock bottom, one would think they would at least begin to climb out of the pit. But unfortunately, that is not happening. AdventHealth has now started digging even deeper and deeper into blasphemy and apostasy.

AdventHealth is now sponsoring the Jesus Christ Superstar rock opera. [2] This rock musical has been playing for over 50 years, has a large worldwide fan base, and is about the final days of Jesus’ life. To commemorate this “iconic musical phenomenon,” a “new mesmerizing production” called the 50th Anniversary of Jesus Christ Superstar was developed. [3] Along with the worldly singing, dancing, and music, the story deviates from the biblical account of Jesus and reinterprets the final hours of His life before going to the cross.

An agnostic who says he wouldn’t identify as a Christian, wrote the musical’s plot. [5] Therefore, it is not surprising that Jesus Christ Superstar musical rejects the divinity of Jesus and His resurrection. This musical depicts a selfish, arrogant, and conflicted Jesus who wasn’t sure why He had come into the world or whether God’s kingdom would one day arrive.

Mary Magdalene is also shown to be romantically in love with Jesus. The innuendos imply that there was more to their relationship than what the Bible tells us while she massages Jesus with oil to help him relax, as He falls asleep by her side. [6] God is portrayed as responsible for the sin of Judas. In the musical, Judas curses God for manipulating him. [6]

Lifeway Research published the following 8 major biblical deviations in Jesus Christ Superstar:

1. Jesus didn’t understand his path.

The Jesus in Superstar seems confused about his calling. The audience first gets a taste of this when Christ tells his followers, “If you knew the path we’re riding, you’d understand it less than I.” But it’s in the musical’s Gethsemane where Jesus’ puzzlement about his mission is most clearly articulated. Jesus tells God the Father, “Show me there’s a reason for your wanting me to die. You’re far too keen on where and how and not so hot on why.”

2. Mary Magdalene had a romantic interest in Jesus.

Superstar has Mary follow Jesus not so much as the Savior, but as a crush. In the musical number “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” she tells herself, “He’s just a man. And I’ve had so many men before. In very many ways, he’s just one more … Should I speak of love? Let my feelings out?” Other scenes tease a romantic tension between the two, such as when Mary anoints Jesus with oil. Jesus says, “That feels nice, so nice. Mary, that is good,” to which Judas offers the reprimand, “Yes, I can understand that she amuses but to let her stroke you, kiss your hair, is hardly in your line.”

3. Jesus had a complex about not being remembered.

A major theme in Superstar is personal legacy. For this reason, the musical’s portrayal of the Last Supper has Jesus exasperated at the thought his disciples aren’t paying him enough attention. Jesus complains, “I must be mad thinking I’ll be remembered, yes I must be out of my head … My name will mean nothing 10 minutes after I’m dead!”

4. Jesus “checked out” of sovereignty while He slept.

In the song “Everything’s Alright,” an exhausted Jesus is comforted by Mary’s words, “Try not to get worried…. Let the world turn without you tonight.” During a reprise of the number, Jesus takes Mary’s advice, saying, “I think I shall sleep well tonight. Let the world turn without me.”

5. Jesus rejected the hurting and taught self-help.

In Superstar, Jesus is overwhelmed by the crowds seeking healing and pushes them away crying, “There’s too many of you; don’t push me. There’s too little of me; don’t crowd me. Heal yourselves!”

6. Jesus didn’t choose his path to the cross.

In Superstar, he appears to argue with God the Father, saying, “Alright, I’ll die! Just watch me die! See how I die! Kill me. Take me now before I change my mind.”

7. Jesus didn’t comprehend the kingdom of God.

In Superstar, Jesus expresses uncertainty there is a kingdom for Him. In the track “Trial Before Pilate/39 Lashes,” Jesus says, “I have got no kingdom in this world. I’m through, through, through. There may be a kingdom for me somewhere, if I only knew.”

8. There was no resurrection.

Perhaps the most significant biblical departure in Superstar is the omission of the resurrection. The major chorus in Superstar repeats the line, “Who are you? What have you sacrificed? Jesus Christ Superstar, do you think you’re what they say you are?” It then leads into the final instrumental track, “John Nineteen Forty-One,” a passage describing Christ’s garden tomb. The curtain closes on a dead Messiah leaving the audience with catchy lyrics questioning who Jesus was and what he accomplished. [7]

Jesus and Mary Magdalene are purportedly shown in the video above. This entire production is an effort to undermine the Bible’s doctrines, reinterpret its messages, and get viewers to reject the fundamental beliefs of the faith. This is Christian liberalism, which disregards the literal interpretation of the Bible and sees the word of God as a collection of myths and legends rather than historical facts. The goal is to challenge everything the Bible teaches. And if this message wasn’t abominable enough, the blasphemous production is set to worldly dancing, singing, and music. Or to put it another way, it’s an even greater abomination:

“Many of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, tend to the same end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls. Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul.” Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 459.

The question that Seventh-day Adventist administrators need to answer is “Why?” Why subject the name God gave us—Seventh-day Adventists—to such wickedness? Why associate the church with the devil’s version of the gospel? Why would the church sponsor a show that is hell-bent on destroying the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we really willing to compromise what few morals we still have in order to advance a brand name? And to what length will we go just to get the public to like us?

Who cares what the world thinks! What the general population believes is irrelevant. What does God think about this? That should be our main concern. Are we really that blind to see that by sponsoring a musical that mocks the God of heaven and Jesus Christ our Lord, we are actually helping to further the mission of Satan rather than fulfilling the mission of Christ?

At the same time we are praying for the Latter Rain to fall upon us, while we tolerate, excuse, and condone this and other insults to our Creator? We are pleading with God to give us His Holy Spirit and for spiritual revival, but where are the cries for reformation? When will we see some board action or committee resolution to remove those responsible for such a betrayal? Probation is about to end, and instead of helping to extend God’s graces and mercy, we are actively working to defeat them.

“The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided” (1888 Materials, p. 700).

“The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing” (Last Day Events, p. 159).

These things are happening right before our eyes, as we can see. Not only has the foundation for the Mark of the Beast crisis been laid, but the events related to it are being set in motion every day. The music, dancing, and shouting are also on full display in the church. This means probation is about to end for Seventh-day Adventists. But when you see the church sponsorship of the Jesus Christ Superstar musical, it makes me wonder if probation hasn’t already closed for some individuals:

“Every day the probation of some is closing. Every hour some are passing beyond the reach of mercy. And where are the voices of warning and entreaty to bid the sinner flee from this fearful doom? Where are the hands stretched out to draw him back from death? Where are those who with humility and persevering faith are pleading with God for him?” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 140).

“Every day we have been associating with men and women who are judgment bound. Each day may have been the dividing line to some soul; someone may have made the decision which shall determine his future destiny. What has been our influence over these fellow travelers? What efforts have we put forth to bring them to Christ?” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 466).

We should rejoice whenever we can still hear the voice of reproof and warning. We should be thanking God whenever a message of stern rebuke is given. That is an indication that God is still trying to reach us. However, very soon, the Lord will never send another call to repent or turn around. God’s grace and mercy are wonderful, but there is a limit. And when that day or limit comes, as we were told in inspiration, when the voice of reproof is no longer heard, it will be because God’s grace and mercy have been exhausted.

“In every age there is given to men their day of light and privilege, a probationary time in which they may become reconciled to God. But there is a limit to this grace. Mercy may plead for years and be slighted and rejected; but there comes a time when mercy makes her last plea. The heart becomes so hardened that it ceases to respond to the Spirit of God. Then the sweet, winning voice entreats the sinner no longer, and reproofs and warnings cease” (Desire of Ages, p. 587).

Instead of attacking the people whom God sends to warn them, our leaders ought to be grateful that it is God and not anyone else who, in His goodness, is attempting to lead us all to repentance.

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4.

We have a choice to either heed the waring or harden our hearts:

” But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” Romans 2:5.

However, some individuals will not turn to God in repentance but will instead choose to walk further away from the sacred calling He has given us. In the next post, we will see a fulfillment of these words:

“Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.” Ezekiel 8:15.

Sources

[1] https://www.facebook.com/kcstarlight/photos/a.421950710604/10160248991715605/

[2] https://www.kcstarlight.com/events/event-detail-production/4168/

[3] https://ustour.jesuschristsuperstar.com/

[4] https://www.kcstarlight.com/events/event-detail-production/4168/

[5] https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19821127&id=uzwsAAAAIBAJ&pg=6254,6671012

[6] https://sites.google.com/site/antiblasphemycentral/Home/jesus-christ-superstar-an-utter-blasphemy

[7] https://research.lifeway.com/2018/04/04/8-biblical-inaccuracies-in-jesus-christ-superstar/