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.
Why the Resurrection Is Non-Negotiable in the Gospel
So, why is a correct interpretation and display of the Gospel so important? A non-negotiable? As mentioned earlier, 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 highlights that without the resurrection of Jesus, our faith is futile: A good man died for us, and that is that. But that's not the whole story. The King of Kings died for us, set us free, and rose again so that we could share in His eternity. To miss that truth is to miss truth entirely.
Why? Romans 10:9 reminds us that salvation requires belief in Jesus' death and resurrection. It isn't enough to believe that Jesus is Lord or a good guy. We must make Him Lord of our lives and believe that He lived and died and rose again for us: "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved" (Romans 10:9-10, NIV).
Jesus' resurrection doesn't just prove His divinity, but His authority. It might sound gruesome, but anyone can die—only Jesus can save and conquer death. The resurrection itself doesn't just validate His promises and teachings, but brings hope to the hearts of those who choose to believe.
Eternal life and victory over sin hinge on the resurrection, and without it, without the empty tomb and risen Savior, our faith is a fraud. Remember, that empty tomb is what turned frightened disciples into bold witnesses, witnesses that we believe to this day. Because to believe a cross-only Gospel ends at Good Friday. It's despair and compelling empathy, but meaningless hope, lacking eternal redemption. Christmas without Easter brings a story of tragedy, not triumph.
The Danger of Editing Jesus to Fit Our Comfort
While it seems popular, cultural resistance to the miraculous and true story of Jesus brings grave danger. Our society prefers the human, relatable parts of Jesus while avoiding His divine claims. After all, the Gospel is offensive. We don't like to take a stand. But to believe in this way is like lukewarm water (Revelation 3:15-16). It's a half-hearted truth and brings many consequences.
A resurrection-less faith reduces Christianity to moral inspiration or social activism. In this way, it wouldn't stand apart from any other religion. It would be a good belief system, but it would ultimately lack the power to save or truly transform others' lives. Galatians 1:6-9 warns us of this type of living—a distorted Gospel is no Gospel at all:
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse" (NIV)!
Today, I want to encourage readers that it's not wrong to enjoy art and fun shows, but we must discern the truth from partial or appealing truth—just because something looks good doesn't mean it's right or holy. Are we following a Jesus who inspires us and tells us what we want to hear? Or are we following a Jesus who resurrects and redeems us? Only one is the Gospel truth, and only one can truly set us free from sin and shame.
Living and Sharing the Full Gospel
Each of us has a choice to embrace the whole story of the Gospel. Regardless of what movies, shows, or even Jesus Christ Superstar present, don't stop at the suffering—share the hope of the resurrection. Let those around you know that the story doesn't end here. Then, reflect on your daily life and ask yourself these questions:
-Am I living like the resurrection is real?
-Do I have eternal hope in difficult trials?
-How can I have courage in sharing my faith with those around me?
-Can I have confidence in the eternal life to come?
Sharing the entirety of the Gospel doesn't have to be scary, but it does have to be rooted in truth. Next time you bring it up, emphasize not just that Jesus died for them, but that He's alive and well. Invite conversations around why the resurrection matters, and don't be afraid to share your testimony.
Friends, a Gospel without resurrection is moving, but ultimately powerless. The truth is that Jesus died, rose, lives, and is coming again.
A Prayer of Gratitude for the Resurrection
Dear Jesus,
Thank you that your story didn't end in the tomb. Thank you for living, dying, and saving us through your death and resurrection. In a world that often misses the point or the entirety of the Gospel story, forgive us for the times we've admired your sacrifice but forgotten your victory over death and the grave. Help us to live with resurrection hope and share that in boldness with those around us. You offer us a full life, and that only comes through the whole of the Gospel. Help us to share this full message with the world around us—a world that needs comfort and the joy of your salvation. Thank you, Lord.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Sean Zanni / Contributor
