Wagner's parsifal

Parsifal, wagner's final opera, is considered by many to be one of the greatest religious musical works ever composed; but it is also one of the most difficult to understand and many have questioned whether it can be considered a "christian" work at all. added to this is the furious debate that has surrounded the composer as an anti-semite, racist, and inspiration for hitler. richard bell addresses such issues and argues that despite any personal failings wagner makes a fundamental theological contribution through his many writings and ultimately in parsifal which, he argues, preaches christ crucified in a way that can never be captured by words alone. he argues that wagner offers a vision of the divine and a "theology of good friday" that can both function as profound therapy and address current theological controversies.