Saturday, August 9, 2025
Cynthia Erivo's 'demonic' portrayal of Jesus prompts outrage: 'Intentional blasphemy'
Many took to social media over the weekend to express outrage at footage of the three-night performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl that featured the bisexual black actress Cynthia Erivo as Jesus Christ.
"This is demonic," wrote Kevin Sorbo, a Christian actor who posted a video to X of Erivo carrying a crossbeam while wearing a crown of thorns during the show, which ran from Aug. 1-3. The production also starred openly gay singer Adam Lambert as Judas Iscariot.
Many X users echoed Sorbo, noting that Erivo's long, talon-like nails evoked imagery historically associated with demons.
Some, such as The Federalist CEO Sean Davis, also noted the deliberately bald Erivo's resemblance to Nosferatu, a vampire made famous in the 1922 silent German horror film of the same name.
"LGBTQ+ Cynthia Erivo is playing Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar,'" wrote Kristan Hawkins, a podcast host who serves as president of Students for Life of America.
"It's no surprise she looks exactly like how demons have always been portrayed. And let’s be real … if you dress like a demon, act like a demon, and mock God like a demon … don't be shocked when people call it what it is. This is intentional blasphemy from Hollywood."
Christopher Calvin Reid, who hosts a weekday radio show in Huntsville, Alabama, said casting "a woke liberal actress" as Jesus was "a vile assault on Christian doctrine" intended to mock the Incarnation.
"The Bible is unequivocal: 'The Word became flesh' (John 1:14), incarnate as a man, not a genderless symbol for progressive fantasies. Erivo's casting isn't just unbiblical — it’s a deliberate desecration, reducing Christ to a prop for cultural Marxism," he wrote.
"It is clear that this is the left spitting on the cross, trading divine truth for a woke applause track. Erivo's liberal activism only deepens the insult, signaling a rejection of Christ's divinity for political posturing.
This isn't art; it's evil — a blasphemous middle finger to God, cheered by Democrats who'd rather bow to Hollywood than the Bible."
"Christians must reject this sacrilege, for it erodes the sacred, inviting divine judgment while the left cackles in their echo chambers," he added.
Some pointed out that the entertainment industry seems more willing to attack Christianity than other religions.
"You will never see the commies in Hollywood mock Islam the way they mock Christians," said Bo French, who serves as chair of the GOP in Tarrant County, Texas. "And yes, I know I am conflating Hollywood and Broadway. Same same."
Journalist Lara Logan claimed the overtly blasphemous nature of the production indicated a losing battle.
"This is desperation. When you look past the offensive, demonic side of it, what you see is really quite pathetic. And weak. They will never have what they want," she wrote.
Erivo, famous for her role in the film version of the musical "Wicked," previously portrayed Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of "Superstar" in 2020.
Though she attended a Roman Catholic school in London as a child, she has become an LGBT icon and told Elle magazine last year she doesn't let "narrow thinking" from Christians determine how she defines faith.
Lambert, who in 2021 described his faith as "Aquarius," defended Erivo's casting during an interview with Billboard last week and implied that Christians who are offended by the production are narrow-minded.
"I’m excited by the challenge of presenting the audience with a production led by a female, black 'Jesus' and encourage the audience to expand their minds a bit," he said.
"Originally utilizing rock and roll, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is supposed to provoke and challenge, that's the point. And shouldn't the teachings of Jesus transcend gender?"
Because of its lack of a Resurrection, sympathetic portrayal of Judas and theologically questionable interpretation of Jesus, "Jesus Christ Superstar" has stoked controversy since it first debuted as a musical on Broadway in 1971.
BLOG EDITORS ADDITION:
1Corinthians 6:9-20 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Sexual Immorality
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.”
The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
"He will save us"
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We are living in the most critical time in human history. All around us, we see the signs that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24: wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, and most importantly, the love of many growing cold.
The moral fabric of our society is unraveling before our eyes. What was once considered shameful is now celebrated, and what was once honored is now mocked.
But here’s what I want you to understand: God is not surprised by any of this. In fact, He told us these things would happen.
The Bible gives us a roadmap and timeline of the events that are to come, in order to prepare us for this moment in history. That’s why, every day, we walk the Tipping Point community through current events and Bible prophecy. It’s to encourage you and give you hope.
Here are seven things to be thinking about this weekend.
1. Wisdom from Scripture
For the Lord is our Judge,
The Lord is our Lawgiver,
The Lord is our King;
He will save us.
—Isaiah 33:22 (NKJV)
2. Quote to Consider
“While we cannot be certain of the specific details, Iran’s aggressive nuclear program and apocalyptic ideology are setting the stage for a catastrophic end-times conflict.
The prospect of a regime driven by messianic fervor and a willingness to engage in nuclear maneuvering raises the terrifying possibility of a scenario that could unfold in a manner consistent with Ezekiel’s prophecy.”
[from our book What’s Next? Iran Goes Nuclear]
3. Pay Attention to This News
A shocking new report indicates that Chinese technology may contain remote “kill switches” that would allow it to disable American power grids and water systems.
This potential was discovered in Chinese-made components within U.S. solar farms, which contained embedded cellular radios not disclosed in product documents.
These could allow remote shutdowns of solar arrays or wind turbines. A shutdown at a strategic time—and during a moment of geopolitical tension—could cause widespread power blackouts.
Cybersecurity experts are warning about this potential, including the fact that Chinese-manufactured tech could have malicious code or backdoors that give Beijing access to Western electrical and surveillance systems.
4. Comment of the Week
“I found myself pausing and backing up several times during this teaching in order to keep good notes. These are great teachings and love the way Dr. Mark parallels the book of Daniel with Revelation.”
—Tipping Point subscriber Reg in the comments after Mark Hitchcock’s Marking the End Times video on Thursday
5. Praying for Israel “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
—Proverbs 22:3 (ESV)
As we approach the End Times, Israel must be prepared for any crisis or challenge. Emergency preparedness is crucial for protecting God’s people: Lord of Hosts, guide Israel’s emergency preparedness efforts.
Grant wisdom in disaster planning. Protect emergency supplies and facilities. We pray for effective warning systems. Give clarity in crisis communications. Encourage coordination between agencies.
We ask for readiness at all times. Let preparation prevent casualties. Strengthen community resilience. Guide development of response protocols. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
6. Link of the Week
I have seen a lot of headlines in news publications about the decline in church membership, especially among younger populations. But this story put a new spin on it, with a headline that caught my attention: “Church membership may be declining, but many churchgoers are double-dosing.”
It talks about the churchgoers who are attending more than one church on Sunday mornings. They might attend a local church in person, then go home and watch online services from another church in another part of the country.
A recent survey found that nearly half of American churchgoers attend church services in multiple locations, including some in person and some online.
And the younger the worshiper, the more likely they are to seek out multiple churches. This is likely the result of the pandemic and the ease of participating in digital worship services.
I’m curious about those of you in the Tipping Point community. Do any of you do this or know someone who worships this way?
7. Headline of the Week
Filmmaker James Cameron warns of “Terminator-style apocalypse” if AI weaponized
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www.youtube.com/etbpwithbrittgillette Zechariah2:3-9
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www.youtube.com/SkyNewsAustralia Joshua24:15
