Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland
Pastor: Colin Maxwell. Email: colin.maxwell@fpcmission.org
LETTER SENT TO: CORK EXAMINER
SUBJECT: PROTEST AGAINST "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR" PLAY IN CORK OPERA HOUSE
DATE SENT: 31-3-03
Dear Sir,
Cork Free Presbyterian
Church wishes to place on record its opposition to the forthcoming
production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Tim Rice who wrote the lyrics
openly confessed that it was a portrayal of Jesus Christ as viewed
through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Since Judas became devil possessed
(Luke 22:3) and was branded as "the son of perdition" (John 17:6) then
this production will prove to be spiritually harmful to those who
attend it.
Among the objectionable parts of Jesus Christ Superstar
is the idea that Christ's claims are mythical and that He was just a
man; that the Holy Son of God fornicated with Mary Magdalene; that He
was a maniac, threatening to change His mind before He went to the
Cross. The opera ends with Christ in the tomb with no resurrection
message etc.,
It is hard to try and enter into the mindset of
those who host or perform such a play. For some, money is their god and
therefore there are no depths to which they will not plumb in order to
make a few Euro. For others, any attempt to smear the Bible testimony
of the Son of God is to be welcomed. Whatever motive drives people to
support this production, the word of God remains the same. "Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
Yours faithfully,
Colin Maxwell
*******
LETTER SENT TO: CORK EXAMINER
SUBJECT: PROTEST AGAINST "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR" PLAY IN CORK OPERA HOUSE
DATE SENT: 13-4-03
Dear Sir/Madam,
In response to Katie Holly’s letter in Saturday’s examiner
and as one of those who took part in the protest, I would like to point
out firstly, that the people saying the rosary were not part of our
Christian protest.
I agree with Katie Holly that her bafflement comes from the fact that
by her own admission she is not a Christian herself and perhaps if she
was, she would see more clearly why some found it offensive. The
musical has no bearing on either the person of Christ or Christ’s
time immediately before His crucifixion and bears no resemblance
whatever to what is revealed in God’s word. Surely for those
interested in learning of Christ the best way to learn of Him is to
read it as revealed in God’s word. Christ Himself says of the
Bible " In the volume of the book it is written of me (Heb: 10 v7). It
cannot be compared to Handle’s Messiah as that work is simply the
text of scripture particularly from Isaiah set to music with no
additions, subtractions or opinion of the writer added. Nor indeed is
it the story of Jesus in dramatic form as is clear from the reading of
the gospel– it is Tim Rice’s opinion of the story of Jesus.
Also I must point out that there was no public preaching outside the
theatre, just the passing out of literature and the displaying of some
placards. If it is pushy to defend one’s position publicly then
surely Katie Holly is guilty of the same thing by taking time to go
into public print with her viewpoint and wonder why when one stands for
the bible it is pushy but any other stand whatever it may be, is not.
As to the worth of the cause, I find it very worthwhile as a Christian
to make a public witness for Christ and do not count it a trivial
matter when the saviour who bore my sins and will return as the Judge
of all the Earth is portrayed as a confused maniac and am surprised
that if it is so trivial a matter why Katy Holly has bothered to take
the time to write.
Yours Sincerely,
Donal O'Donovan
*******
Report of our protest outside Cork Opera House
Index of other letters on many subjects sent