One of our local AM stations carries a program on Sunday mornings called “The Jesus Christ Show.” I sometimes catch bits and pieces of this program on my way home from worship. On this show, host Neil Saavedra, takes on the role of Jesus dispensing bits of religious and spiritual guidance to those who call in with questions. People call in and refer to him as “Jesus” and he answers their questions according to how he feels Jesus would answer. It is all really a bit eerie. Here is one example…you don’t have to listen to everything in the middle but if you catch the first and last minute you will get an idea of how this goes.
It concerns me that a program like this exists in its present format. I don’t have a problem with much of the advice I have heard him give. I do have a problem with the format in which he delivers it. How could any well meaning believer ask people to call them “Jesus” or “Holy Host”? It really casts a cloud over the whole thing for me. If you read the comments on the youtube video you will find some people this show has made a real difference for. I don’t doubt that. But it worries me that people would seek their advice from a guy posing as Jesus…even a guy who says himself (according to the wikipedia article on the show) that he is too tired to attend church himself on Sunday. I am glad people think the words of Jesus are important. But we know there are better ways to get words from Christ without calling in to the heavenly host out in L.A.
I don’t think Neil intends for this show to be blasphemous. But why put yourself in a position where some people are going to put you up there in their thinking as God or Jesus Christ? If we purposely do things that lead people to think that it borders extremely dangerously on blasphemy whether he intends it or not. What do you think?
15 Responses
I agree that I don’t feel comfortable with someone ‘posing’ as Jesus which is what he is doing. I think I would feel differently if the program was called “WWJD?” (What Would Jesus Do?) and the host said that he would give advice based on Jesus’ teachings in the bible. It is a small difference, but difference none the less. Overall, though, I think giving spiritual advice, especially if you’re basing it on the words of Jesus, should be approached with humility and the admission that you also are searching for the truth in scripture and are not perfect; otherwise, you run the risk of being deceived that you do, in fact, have all the answers and sucking other people into that idea, as well. –Bri
I totally agree with Brianna’s comment. I once had a coworker that liked the show, and when my husband began listening on the way to work, I became a little alarmed. I listened with a somewhat open mind and didn’t have any disagreements w/the Bible based advice. However, like Brianna I don’t feel comfortable with someone ‘posing’ as Jesus.
I’ll never forget the time I was the new preacher and was calling on members in their homes. One place I went, a 3 year old came when I knocked on the door. As soon as he saw me, he ran back into the house and said, “Jesus is here!” It was a humbling experience, and certainly not something I encouraged.
Another time, I lived in the parsonage just off the church parking lot – and our home phone was also the church phone. A prank call came in early one morning (c. 2 a.m.) and asked is Jesus there. I said, “Yes, do you want to talk to Him?” Then I deepened my voice and rebuked the caller for such a childish prank at that time of night. I saw that as “answer a fool according to his folly.”
Jerry
The caller on this program has a serious issue and is looking for real help, much like the woman who had an issue of blood…what would Jesus say? Certainly not what the host was telling her. What ever happened to “…go in peace for your faith has made you well.” Jesus says, “5 For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. ” Matthew 24:5 (AMP) I believe this is one of those situations.
I agree with the comments before me; even though he says on his website that this is “radio theater” I’m not so sure that it is taken as such. I have only listened a time or two, but I did hear something that disturbed me the last time I did tune in. Neil said that, “we are not accountable to any church or denomination, but to our listeners”. No Neil, you (and we) are accountable to God, and scripture is clear that those of us who profess to be teachers are going to be held to a higher standard for which we will be accountable based on how we adhered to the truth in our teachings.
Well, I’ve been listening to the show for well over a year now, and (surprise!) I just now put together that it is NEAL who plays Jesus! Am I just slow…? Anyway, I, too, had a similar hesitation and, yes, a kind of judgmental resentment at first toward what I thought was blasphemous speech. But I gave it a chance, and before I knew it, I was hooked. I’ve heard so many good things here, and yes, I’m a Christian, a “recovering Catholic,” as some of us refer to ourselves. If you listen for even a short period of time, you can’t help but “get” the meaning and intent of this show! These days, we NEED the word and spirit of the Almighty out there, and if this show can be a vehicle for it, then I say God bless Neil as Jesus. Besides, every now and then he says little things, telling things, that slip out and you KNOW for certain that this host does not believe he is the Christ himself. Good fun with a wonderful message. It’s on the mark.
1. If anyone thinks that they are actually talking with Jesus they have problems of a different nature than the ones they are calling in about.
2. Many people have portrayed Jesus over the years, in movies, on TV and at pageants too numerous to contemplate. The important thing is that the portrayal should be true and sensitive. Neil’s portrayal meets this test.
3. Niel’s advice that I have heard is no worse or better than that of any pastor, preacher priest or rabbi that I have heard over the years and almost uniformly these people also claim to be speaking for god.
I agree with Susie S. and Steve B. furthermore, instead of putting Neil on blast, let us ask ourselves if we are being Christ to the world. Because that is what we are called to do! 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Read your Bible people.
I am a life long Christian and I listen to Neil’s show most every Sunday. I have worked for Christian churches for 10 years and have witnessed more blasphemous behaviors from pastors than from Neil and his show. I have learned more about my faith and the faith of others than I ever have sitting in church or in a Bible study.
If you don’t like the format of the show, don’t listen. Let God be the judge.
Sharon,
I haven’t listened ever since writing this post. I am glad to hear you have found something redemptive in his teaching. Like I said in the post, I found his teaching to be pretty good…it is the format that concerns me, greatly.
if the show didnt get ratings it wouldnt be on the air so quit crying and have a nice life
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
You know some folks don’t have anybody that gives a damn to listen to their problems! Neil (Jesus) seems to do a great job! Don’t knock him you might need him one day
>Jesus Said, “Come unto ME, all (of) you who are weary and/(or) heavy-laden and ‘I’ will give you rest,” (~ not to some ‘fake/ pseudo’, presumptuous Jesus~, or even to some good ‘Bible-believing’ teacher~ (>so-called Pastor, Preacher, Pope, Priest, Rabbi, Most Holy Reverend and/or ‘Host’, etc!)
I don’t know how to answer your question as I have never “played Jesus.” Maybe you should ask Jonathan Roume or Jim Caviezel.