JESUS CHRIST - Not Superstar But the Bright and Morning Star

Sep 21, 2026

A sermon-style message by J. Vernon McGee, referencing Bible passages to argue that Jesus Christ is uniquely “the bright and morning star” and the most controversial Person in history. It contrasts the biblical Jesus with the “Jesus” presented in the rock opera Jesus Christ, Superstar, criticizing it as a deliberate work of blasphemy aimed at money. The text emphasizes that every generation must make a judgment about Christ, using Pilate’s dilemma and Peter’s confession as examples.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

The Most Controversial Figure

The “God is dead” theology and its collapse

The difference between the Bible’s Jesus and Superstar’s Jesus

The need for every person to make a judgment about Christ

Pilate’s forced decision

The question Jesus asked about His identity

Peter’s confession and the Word in John 1:1

# JESUS CHRIST nOT SUPERSTARBUT THE BRICHTANDmORnInG STAR J.Vernon McGee Jesus Christ-Not SuperstarButThe Bright and Morning Star A Message by J.VERNON MCGEE,TH.D.,LL.D. THRU THE BIBLE BOOKS Pasadena,California FIRST PRINTING JANUARY,1972 ## The Most Controversial Figure I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these thingsin the churches.I am the root and the offspring of David,and the bright and morning star [Revelation 22:16]. A few short years ago there was a popular theology of that daywhich got the name “God is dead.”It was very popular for a brieftime.Many unbelievers thought they were rid of God and of theLord Jesus Christ.Even some suggested that we were now seeingthe fulfillment of Psalm 2:2 which says: The kings of the earth set themselves,and the rulers takecounsel together,against the LORD,and against his anointed,saying,Let us break their bands asunder,and cast away theircords from us [Psalm 2:2,3]. In other words,"We're at last rid of God;we're rid of Christ."Well,that proved to be a fad that was short lived.It was a whimof the passing moment which caught the eye of the fickle crowd.Apparently it was wrong because God was not dead—in fact,Hewasn't even sick.It was very much like Mark Twain said when areport circulated that he had died.He said,"It is greatly exaggerat- ed."Certainly the report that God was dead was greatly exag-gerated! Now we have seen a strange phenomenon in our day,and ithas come to pass rather recently.The Bible has become the bestseller again.For a few years in the sixties the Bible was no longerthe best seller.Religion now makes the front page of the paper.It's even the subject of editorials in the New York Times.Slickmagazines make religion a cover story,and they put pictures,socalled,of Jesus on the cover.“Amazing Grace”has made the hitparade,and you hear people today in offices and on the streetshumming the tune,"Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man ofGalilee."A rock opera is the most popular play of the year withthe title Jesus Christ,Superstar.Has the long-awaited revival ar-rived?Well,some think so. However,the 'Jesus'of Superstar is not the Jesus of the Bible.A very casual and cursory examination will reveal that.The 'Jesus'of Superstar is the 'Jesus'of liberal theology with a little differentwardrobe.I can remember a statement made years ago by Dr.Harry Emerson Fosdick,who was the leader of Liberalism(thenknown as Modernism,when I was a young man.He made thestatement that the world had tried two ways to get rid of Jesus.One was by crucifying Him;the other was by worshiping Him.And the composer of Superstar,Andrew Webber,interviewed bythe New York Daily News,gave this statement:"I personally don'tthink that Jesus is God.And I think that Christ as a liberal reform-er was a huge success.Slowly the thing got out of control.Peoplebegan to worship Christ and not the Cause."That sounded strange-ly familiar to me,so I went back and checked.I found that Dr.Harry Emerson Fosdick had already said that—and he was theleader of Liberalism. Now if the reports are accurate,and I have no reason to ques-tion them,the play Superstar is a deliberate and wicked work ofblasphemy written for no other purpose than to make money.Andthat's what it is doing. When you read it or hear about it,it may shock you.Butit ought not surprise God's people that this sort of thing is appear-ing today.The Lord Jesus Christ is the most controversial Personwho ever has lived on this earth.Who's arguing about Julius Caesartoday?Do you know anybody who is concerned about him?Doyou know anybody today who is really concerned about HarryEmerson Fosdick?Do you know anybody who is debating todayabout Franklin Roosevelt?They are dead and gone,and the worldhas forgotten them.But the world has not forgotten Jesus Christ.He is a controversial Person.Every man must make some judgmentconcerning Him,and God has so ordained it. Now Pilate was forced to make a judgment.If you read theGospel o

FAQs

What does the message say about the biblical Jesus’s identity?

It quotes Revelation 22:16 and presents Jesus as “the bright and morning star.” It also stresses that, like Peter’s confession, Jesus is the Christ and God manifest in the flesh.

How does the message evaluate the rock opera “Jesus Christ, Superstar”?

It argues that Superstar’s Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible, describing it as liberal theology in a different wardrobe and calling it a deliberate work of blasphemy for profit.

Why does the message say people must make a judgment about Jesus?

It claims God has ordained that every person must decide concerning Christ. It illustrates this with Pilate’s pressured choice and with Jesus asking who people believe He is.

Sep 21, 2026

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