by Jill Fandrich
The Bible is full of stories and lessons of forgiveness, love, redemption, grace, mercy, justice. But stories illustrating Christian ideals are not limited to the Bible. They can be found all around us.
Seeing The REV’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” this summer reminded me of the profound effect that show had on my faith development. I was 15 when it came out in 1970. I clearly remember how controversial it was at the time. It was criticized for showing Jesus as “too human” and for ending with his crucifixion - not his resurrection. As a teenager who had been raised in a conservative Christian church, it came into my life at a time when my faith was changing and maturing. “Superstar” gave me permission to see the story of Jesus in a fresh way. It reinforced my emerging beliefs that Jesus’ divinity is evident in his humanity, that he experienced frustration, pain and doubt, and even, and this is a biggie, that the “good news” is less about resurrection and more about bringing God’s love to all people.
My friend Rev. Dr. Stacy Smith introduced me to the podcast “The Gospel of Musical Theatre,” which is opening my eyes to how concepts like justice, mercy, love, and redemption are illustrated in popular culture. “Jesus Christ Superstar” is an obvious example because it’s based on a biblical story. But there are many more shows and plays which speak to matters of faith.
Take “Les Mis” and the story of Jean Valjean. Recently released from prison, Valjean is taken in by a bishop who shows him kindness by feeding him and giving him shelter. Valjean, however, steals some silver from the bishop’s home. When caught by police and brought back to answer to this theft, the bishop surprisingly responds by saying the silver was a gift, and then gives him more. But the gift is more than a kindness; he sings “You must use this precious silver to become an honest man.” In a profound example of forgiveness and redemption, the bishop “buys” Valjean’s transformation into a new identity and way of life.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” explores racial prejudice in the show’s concurrent love stories. A cheerful, naive nurse struggles to accept the mixed-race children of the man she falls in love with while a US Navy Lieutenant falls in love with a young Tonkinese woman, but knows she would never be accepted as his wife in America. South Pacific was a controversial show when it premiered in 1949, challenging peoples’ prejudices with the concept of love and acceptance for all people. Although the show has lighter moments and comic relief, its more serious message is distilled in the song “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” (You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late, Before you are six or seven or eight, To hate all the people your relatives hate-- You’ve got to be carefully taught!)
There are many more examples. Evocative of Psalm 23, “Into the Woods” explores our journeys through dark places, finding that we are not alone. “The Sound of Music” showcases brave opposition to oppressive and cruel political regimes (which Jesus also did) and celebrates the power of music. “Rent” explores ideals of love, community, compassion, and caring for the marginalized (watch it through the lens of Matthew 25). “Wicked” is a study of good and evil, challenging simplistic dichotomies found also in traditional religion.
I only scratch the surface with these examples, but I leave you with this. Church isn’t the only place to ponder the big questions of who we are, how we are to live together, and what it means to love others. The arts can challenge our assumptions and help us find greater meaning in life. Sometimes wisdom and grace are demonstrated by actors on stage. Sometimes curtains open to reveal great truths. Sometimes a spotlight illuminates a new idea. Liturgy is the communal participation in the sacred, and it can be found in darkened theaters as well as in church.
The Bible is full of stories and lessons of forgiveness, love, redemption, grace, mercy, justice. But stories illustrating Christian ideals are not limited to the Bible. They can be found all around us.
Seeing The REV’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” this summer reminded me of the profound effect that show had on my faith development. I was 15 when it came out in 1970. I clearly remember how controversial it was at the time. It was criticized for showing Jesus as “too human” and for ending with his crucifixion - not his resurrection. As a teenager who had been raised in a conservative Christian church, it came into my life at a time when my faith was changing and maturing. “Superstar” gave me permission to see the story of Jesus in a fresh way. It reinforced my emerging beliefs that Jesus’ divinity is evident in his humanity, that he experienced frustration, pain and doubt, and even, and this is a biggie, that the “good news” is less about resurrection and more about bringing God’s love to all people.
My friend Rev. Dr. Stacy Smith introduced me to the podcast “The Gospel of Musical Theatre,” which is opening my eyes to how concepts like justice, mercy, love, and redemption are illustrated in popular culture. “Jesus Christ Superstar” is an obvious example because it’s based on a biblical story. But there are many more shows and plays which speak to matters of faith.
Take “Les Mis” and the story of Jean Valjean. Recently released from prison, Valjean is taken in by a bishop who shows him kindness by feeding him and giving him shelter. Valjean, however, steals some silver from the bishop’s home. When caught by police and brought back to answer to this theft, the bishop surprisingly responds by saying the silver was a gift, and then gives him more. But the gift is more than a kindness; he sings “You must use this precious silver to become an honest man.” In a profound example of forgiveness and redemption, the bishop “buys” Valjean’s transformation into a new identity and way of life.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” explores racial prejudice in the show’s concurrent love stories. A cheerful, naive nurse struggles to accept the mixed-race children of the man she falls in love with while a US Navy Lieutenant falls in love with a young Tonkinese woman, but knows she would never be accepted as his wife in America. South Pacific was a controversial show when it premiered in 1949, challenging peoples’ prejudices with the concept of love and acceptance for all people. Although the show has lighter moments and comic relief, its more serious message is distilled in the song “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” (You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late, Before you are six or seven or eight, To hate all the people your relatives hate-- You’ve got to be carefully taught!)
There are many more examples. Evocative of Psalm 23, “Into the Woods” explores our journeys through dark places, finding that we are not alone. “The Sound of Music” showcases brave opposition to oppressive and cruel political regimes (which Jesus also did) and celebrates the power of music. “Rent” explores ideals of love, community, compassion, and caring for the marginalized (watch it through the lens of Matthew 25). “Wicked” is a study of good and evil, challenging simplistic dichotomies found also in traditional religion.
I only scratch the surface with these examples, but I leave you with this. Church isn’t the only place to ponder the big questions of who we are, how we are to live together, and what it means to love others. The arts can challenge our assumptions and help us find greater meaning in life. Sometimes wisdom and grace are demonstrated by actors on stage. Sometimes curtains open to reveal great truths. Sometimes a spotlight illuminates a new idea. Liturgy is the communal participation in the sacred, and it can be found in darkened theaters as well as in church.
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