Jesus Christ Superstar : Depicnce On American Culture

Therefore, people questioned why they made him a black character. In the rock musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice the portrayal of the crucifixion of Jesus was created to fit a musical, causing controversy and criticism; as well as issues of racial norms and the devilish rock culture of the 1970’s.

IVP Books, publisher of Andy Crouch’s Culture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling, calls the literature a “rallying cry for a new generation of culturally creative Christians.” Named one of the best religion books of 2008 by Publisher’s Weekly, Crouch begins his preface stating that he “wrote Culture Making on a hunch that the language of “engaging the culture,” let alone the “culture wars,” fell far short of what we were really meant to do and be as Christians in the world. I also sensed that most churches were neglecting the centrality of culture to the biblical story and the gospel itself,” (p. 5). While the book is intended for a Christian audience, Crouch

Regardless of personal beliefs or opinions, it is nearly impossible to imagine the existence of modern English literature without the influence of religion. Since the dawn of recorded history, religion has played a vital, recurring role in works of fact and fiction, alike. In his book How to Read Literature Like a Professor, author Thomas Foster asserts several points about this relationship between religion and literature, especially in relation to the image of Christ, and states, “Culture is so influenced by its dominant religious systems that whether a writer adheres to the beliefs or not, the values and principles of those religions will inevitably inform the literary work” (125).

In this paper, the writer will explain the following questions about the American's belief about Jesus. The first question is Why do you think Americans' dedication to Jesus is, in most cases, "a mile wide and an inch deep?" What is the root of the problem? How do walking with Christ and engaging in the community help people's faith become "a mile deep?"

The word “God” or “Christianity” is often thrown around in the political world today. Candidates often can be seen supporting the invasions of other nations, but then claiming a strong devotion to God only a few moments later. The question is, “how has America become such a broken nation with such distorted views of the role of Christianity?” The emergent idea of America as a Christian nation is an important and relevant issue with many possible consequences. In reality, there are many cultural and religious influences in the nation, but many people have internalized the idea that the Christian religion is not solely an influential aspect of our society, but instead helps to construct the society itself. Personally, before reading

In Chapter 10 of Religion and Popular Culture in America, Joseph L. Price attempts to show sports as an example of popular culture as religion, because of its ability to shape the engagement of their fans and the fan’s environments. Although the majority of fans do not see sports as coming close to being a religion, Price gives several compelling reasons as to why sports are religion.

As I read this article, I was immediately reminded of the political situation of Jesus’ day. On one front, the Romans had conquered the

The Color of Christ is a book that evokes memories of the exhausted images and lives of Jesus which preponderantly contributes to “the saga of race in America.” (5) The book modifies and wisely propagates the stereotypical images of Jesus throughout the history of the U.S, which offers the most striking responses. In the book, Blum and Harvey portray the world as a place that is filled with various images about Jesus. The book, in its entirety, has been used by the two authors to substantiate the atrocities that were prevalent at a time when there was supremacy among the whites. White supremacy echoed loudly and was basically reinforced by the argument that Jesus Christ was white so he would agree with this notion. From the vicissitudes, and the happenings in the first six chapters of the book, Blum and Harvey have carefully interwoven a tapestry of visions and dreams of Americans to illustrate the fact that Americans have remade Christ. Instead of the thought that we, humans were made in the likeness of Christ, the son of G-d, we reinvented this theory of Christ in our likeness to suit our bias whether it be positive or negative. Again, Christ is emblematic of their aspirations strivings for power and racial justice, and their deeply- entrenched terrors.

Writing in the late 1980s, Herbert Schlossberg provides a thorough analysis of current trends in American culture in his book Idols for Destruction: The Conflict of Christian Faith and American Culture. Many scholars have examined Western civilization and concluded that we are in its declining years. Some use analogies of space: rise, zenith, and fall; others use analogies of biology: birth, maturity, and death. Schlossberg refuses to see all cultures as following these patterns, but rather attempts to use the concept of judgment, based on the biblical example of the prophets: “With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction” (Hos. 8:4). If the idols are destroyed, and we return to worship the true God, we can expect

The Book of John, and the life and death of Jesus Christ are key components of the authors evidence to back up his ways of solving the issues of Christian worldviews. Along with this, the author includes testimonials of his friends that specifically dealt with real-life issues in conflict with their Christian views as well.

Initially, America did not have a Christian foundation in the sense of creating a theocracy. However, it was shaped by Christian moral truths, and the forefathers created a hospitable environment that supported this religion. The relationship linking the state and religion grew strong as most of the people in the nation became Christians. This research paper outlines how Christianity came to be one of the major religions in the United States of America.

The author's main purpose for writing A Myth of a Christian Nation is to explain how the world has claimed to be founded on christian principles but has neglected to see that this is a lie that we as christians and people in society have told ourselves to make it seem like we are “ one nation under God”. Boyd also focuses in on and introducing our role in the kingdom of God vs the kingdom of the world and our role in politics and society.

This musical is perfect as it is entirely sung, has amazing rock music and has themes and moral issues carefully intertwine throughout the plot. However, the largest moral issue or dilemma is how popularity can negatively and positively affect the main character Jesus. The song “This Jesus must Die” is an excellent example of the negative side of popularity, as it shows the Romans planning to kill Jesus before he surpasses them in power.

Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community: The Social Dimension of Christian Faith. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984. Kindle.

Many Americans flocked to see Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” On over 2.000 screens across America the viewed the “harrowing depiction of Jesus' last 12 hours in wide-screen vivid color.” (Allen 2004) People viewed images of Jesus being flogged, crucified and left to die. This violence caused some Christians discomfort with theology, and some Jews’ fear that it will “incite violence against them because of its portrayal of Jews’ involvement in Jesus’ death.” (Allen 2004)