Jesus Christ Superstar Worksheet
By: Andrew Evens

1. Is the Jesus of this movie one of high Christology (very divine and Godlike) or a low Christology (very human) or both? Explain and back up your answer with evidence.

In my opinion, I believe that this Jesus is one of low Christology for many reasons. In the movie, it seems like Jesus has a more loving personal relationship with Mary Magdalene. Jesus also seems a lot more violent or angry towards Judas. They seem to have many fights. Also, in the scene where Jesus is walking and the people swarm around him asking to be healed, Jesus gets overwhelmed and cannot help them all which in my opinion show a more human-like side of Jesus. Also, they never show the Resurrection in this movie which is a major sign of Jesus' divinity. I think that this movie/play has more intention to be of a low Christology so that people can see Jesus as not just divine, but also man.

2.List three major beliefs of Jesus you see clearly in this movie? What are the major beliefs you see clearly Jesus teaching and living? List each (a, b, c) and back up each with evidence from what Jesus says and does from the movie.

A) One belief that Jesus believed was justice. During the scene with Simon the Zealot, Jesus refuses to lead an uprising against the Romans. Also, when Jesus had the cleansing of the temple, he was showing justice since he did not want people disrespecting he house of God. He also does not get mad at the people who put him on the cross and forgives them.

B) Another thing that Jesus believed was to not judge anyone. In the beginning of the movie, Mary Magdalene is washing Jesus while they are lying around. Judas walks in and says, "It seems to me a strange thing, mystifying that a man like you can waste his time on women of her kind." Jesus snaps back at him saying that "if your slate is not [clean], then leave her alone."

C) Jesus also believed that God has a specific plan for all of us. When Jesus and his disciples are in the cave in the beginning, the people want to know what they are going to do next. Jesus says that "if you knew the path we're riding, you'd understand it less than I." During the Last Supper, Jesus tells the apostles that one of them will deny him and one will betray him. Lastly, when Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knows that he is going to die when he says "Alright, I'll die!"