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Christology in Film and Musical Drama

Peter Harsch-2015-01-01-UWM Digital Commons (University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee)

TL;DRAbstract

Numerous attempts have been made to portray Christ in fictionalized adaptations, almost inevitably resulting in much controversy. Christological heresy may simplistically be understood as a spectrum, ranging from Ebionism (that Christ is fully human) to Docetism (that Christ is fully divine), whereas Chalcedonian orthodoxy understands Christ to have two natures, both fully human and fully Divine, united in one person. But are these portrayals really Christologically heretical, as is often argued, or instead orthodox? To answer this question, we shall primarily consider Martin Scorsese’s adaption of Niklos Kazantzakis’ The Last Temptation of Christ, in addition to Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Stephen Schwartz’ Godspell, and Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. In addition, these works’ theological reception shall also be considered.\nLast Temptation, rather than presenting an Ebionist Christ, as is often claimed, understands the dual nature of Christ a

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Numerous attempts have been made to portray Christ in fictionalized adaptations, almost inevitably resulting in much controversy. Christological heresy may simplistically be understood as a spectrum, ranging from Ebionism (that Christ is fully human) to Docetism (that Christ is fully divine), whereas Chalcedonian orthodoxy understands Christ to have two natures, both fully human and fully Divine, united in one person. But are these portrayals really Christologically heretical, as is often argued, or instead orthodox? To answer this question, we shall primarily consider Martin Scorsese’s adaption of Niklos Kazantzakis’ The Last Temptation of Christ, in addition to Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Stephen Schwartz’ Godspell, and Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. In addition, these works’ theological reception shall also be considered.\nLast Temptation, rather than presenting an Ebionist Christ, as is often claimed, understands the dual nature of Christ a

Keywords

MusicalDramaChristologyArtLiteraturePhilosophyTheology

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