Reaction Paper:
“A Christian Response to Theatre”
“A Christian Response to Theatre”
Article by Dale Savidge, written for the book SIGHTS & SOUNDS, 2006
Write out your answers to FIVE QUESTIONS (minimum).
We will be discussing this article during class time on January 22. Answering these questions will help you prepare for the discussion. You can post your answers on the blog, or submit your written answers in class.
1. Informed by your reading of this chapter, explain why theatre is a powerful communication tool.
2. How is a play not like a sermon?
3. Francis Schaffer’s understanding of a Christian worldview explains that there is a minor theme of the Bible (man is a sinner and we live in a fallen world) and the major theme of the Bible (Christ’s death provides redemption from our sin). Why does Dr. Savidge believe that plays present only the minor theme of the Bible can be powerful?
4. What is your opinion of the plays you have seen presenting the major theme of the Bible (redemption of sin through Christ)?
5. Why is theatre “is the most directly human of all the arts”?
6. Why is it important to “engage culture”?
7. What is Dr. Savidge’s suggestion for how Christians should respond to the offensive nature of many theatre productions or the lifestyle of theatre practitioners?
8. How can Christians discern to what extent they should experience theatre (as audiences and as artists)?
9. What did you learn about the difference between entertainment and amusement? Does that have any effect on how you see the use of “entertainment” in a worship setting?
10. What did Dr. Savidge have to say about playwrites playing to our sympathies?
11. What are your thoughts after reading about the objectionable elements you might find in theatre?
12. Why is working in theatre a frustrating occupation? Why would it be dangerous for a Christian?
13. Have you ever had an opportunity to “come alongside” a theatre practitioner? How did you respond to them and they to you?
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A Review of the book from Createlevoyage's Dawn Fung
3 comments:
As I read the chapter, I could pick up hints of how Christians generally respond to the arts, especially theatre, ranging from ignorance of its emerging relevance to passivity to the extreme of outright condemnation. I commend the author for his ability to attune us Christians to the art and the artists of theatre from a Biblical standpoint, and giving practical ways in how we can and should respond to theatre as an art form. A thought provoking read that I truly enjoyed gleaning from!
Question 1:
Informed by your reading of this chapter, explain why theatre is a powerful communication tool.
“ Drama is a major form of communication that people like and respond to, and it’s misdirected for the church not to take it seriously. The bride of Christ is called to communicate His truth to a desperately needy world, yet too often we leave out of our arsenal one of the most significant and effective forms of communication known.” That statement by Pederson is so powerful, it takes my breath away everytime I read it. I agree with it because it brings up two distinct points brought up by Dr. Savidge that emphasize the power of theatre as a communication tool: 1) People like drama 2) It communicates truth
1) Aristotle’s suggested that ‘the mimetic impulse’ brings forth theatre in a culture. Dr. Savidge further explains this impulse as a natural enjoyment of creating characters and watching them. I believe theatre communicates, maybe subtlety no
different from advertisements, but nonetheless communicates because people enjoy drama and thus are open to what it communicates.
2) Dr. Savidge hits the nail on the head when he writes “If you want to know the kind of world in which you live, go to the theatre. If you want to know where the world is heading, go to the theatre.” As theatre thrives on identifying with audiences, it
communicates truth as in real situations and issues that people are facing in society today. However plays communicate the artist’s attitudes, values and beliefs about the issues addressed. This is powerful because it moulds the future of the culture, as we unknowingly agree and believe what we see or hear. Slowly overtime our thinking patterns and behavior are influenced and shaped.
Question 2:
How is a play not like a sermon?
A play expresses its writer’s, director’s and/or actor’s worldview, values, beliefs, thoughts and emotions. It may not carry a clear message across as it aims to ask questions. A sermon, however, expresses God the creator’s worldview, values, thoughts and emotions. It affirms the Christian’s beliefs. It aims to answer humanity. So its message is clear and defined.
A play parallels how Jesus used parables: to put life’s typical issues and conundrums into a picture we can relate with. Then Jesus followed with a sermon: a clear moral or Kingdom principal behind the story.
This pairing, I believe, is beautiful and powerful. It connects to the audience/listeners not only to their intellect but also to their hearts.
Question 4:
What is your opinion of the plays you have seen presenting the major theme of the Bible (redemption of sin through Christ)?
Some of the plays I’ve seen are really good. They touched hearts and impacted lives. However, most I’ve seen aren’t quite as powerful or effective. I realised that all the plays that presented the major theme of the Bible intended to share the gospel as well as God’s love and mercy for us sinners but I pondered what made the difference between one that did so well and one that did not.
The plays that presented the major theme of the Bible but not very well tend to paint a black and white picture. ‘Sinners’ were narrowly portrayed and in a sense condemned as the bad guys and us Christians as the good guys. ‘Sinners’ were stereotyped as extreme liars, gamblers, prostitutes, murderers, gangsters and so on. The way Christ was presented came across as melodramatic, preachy and even at times as a quick-fix solution. It was hard to see truth in these plays or believe the message.
The plays that succeeded, I realise, presented the minor theme first by humanizing the ‘sinners’ as real people with thoughts, emotions and struggles. Then the major theme of God’s love and mercy was brought in. However, some still seemed like miraculous interventions.
Now I wonder, how do non-believers receive plays such as the Easter story that is the major theme of the Bible? Other believers and I would cry when every nail is pounded into Christ’s wrists. Or rather I wonder, is there another way to present it or combine it with the minor theme of the Bible?
Question 7:
What is Dr. Savidge’s suggestion for how Christians should respond to the offensive nature of many theatre productions or the lifestyle of theatre practitioners?
I love that all of Dr. Savidge’s practical suggestions urge us to be “Christians, as loving representatives of Christ…” What stands out to me is his suggestion that we respond by creating instead of complaining or condemning.Creating alternative theatre pieces that speak truth positively to the community. Creating success for such pieces by purchasing tickets to watch and support it so its artistes will be enabled and encouraged to produce more of such work. Creating meaningful relationship with theatre practitioners so as to build bridges. This will enable us to discuss their art and worldviews. The artists will then view us as people/co-artistes with constructive opinions and criticism rather than a disparaging religious audience. These opportunities enable us to be witnesses of our faith or to evangelize with our lifestyles.
Question 9:
What did you learn about the difference between entertainment and amusement? Does that have any effect on how you see the use of “entertainment” in a worship setting?
This passage on the differences between entertainment and amusement is one bit of reading I’ll never forget! It was so illuminating. I began to catch myself in situations asking myself, “Am I being entertained or amused?” And it’s amazing how many times my conclusion has been that I’ve been amused. Most conveniently these times were while watching television!?
As Dale Savidge puts it simply, amuse means to participate passively by not thinking. Entertain means to participate actively by paying attention as well as engaging and responding, through our thoughts and emotions. It’s a challenging issue because most times we think we’re being active just by participating in or doing something.
In light of how I understand the word ‘entertainment’ now, I perceive the use of ‘entertainment’ in a worship setting apt. If the drama, dance or song intends to express something of God, focus an audience’s attention on God and evoke their response towards God – why not? I do not see anything wrong about it and perhaps neither will congregations when their misconception of the word ‘entertainment’ is cleared.
__________________________________
*All double quotations are lifted from:
1) Pederson, Steve, Drama Ministry: Practical Help for Making Drama a Vital Part of
Your Church, Chapters 1 & 2, Pages 13 – 32, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999.
2) M, Robert & Tham, Lim K, Sights & Sounds A Christian Response to Creative Arts and Media, Chapter 3, Singapore: Genesis Books, 2006.
By Rachel
2)How is play not like a sermon?
Sermon is a message that the Lord wants to speak to His people through the pastor. It can be encouragement, rebukes, instructions, love or teachings of His ways.
Whereas theatre plays, is usually a form of communication with no solutions. It is the values and beliefs of the playwright. It does not nessesary have any moral, political or social responsiblities. Hence, a play cannot carry a duty of a sermon.
6)Why is it important to "engage culture"?
Culture is the ideas, beliefs and customs that is shared and accepted by people in a society. Religions, races, politics, systems and history, often influence it. Different period of time and countries have different culture. In order to immerse into a society or country, we have to engage into their culture.
When we engage culture, we are able to understand and impact our surroundings better. More often than not, culture is richly reflected in theatre of all ages and civilization. It's one of the oldest art forms in human history.
10)What did Dr. Savidge have to say about playewrites playing to our sympathies?
According to Dr. Savidge, playwrites often use sympathetic characters to play with our sympathies. But it's important to know where our sympathies are being led. If it can lead us to like a character that breaks the law or engage in revengeful acts, then we should stop to consider. Is this the way God works in the world? The sympathetic characters must not influence us easily, but always to maintain a discerning mind of what is right and wrong.
11) What are your thoughts after reading about the objectionable elements you might find in theatre?
I do agree with Dr. Savidge regarding some of the objectionable elements. But being a Christian, I still find that we are not wrong to voice out our disagreement with context like homosexuality. Yes, these artists may be lost and are using their characters to reflect their sense of meaningless life. As Christians, if we don't speak out, it might mean that we support or approve of their acts.
In America or the Western Country, it's probably more accepted in regards to their creativities. But in Asia, our local producer Beatrice Chia-Richmond, there were lots of criticisms about her productions. It's good to let them know that they have social responsibilities to fulfill. I believe that there are other ways to reach out and show compassion to them.
12) Why is working in theatre a frustrating occupation? Why would it be dangerous for a Christian?
Working in theatre can exciting but frustrating as an occupation. It's very challenging in terms of making a living. To get an audition is tough, let alone to get a part. There are always more actors available than roles required on stage. Hence, to survive financially, it is really not easy. There is also the challenge of having to travel everywhere trying to get a job. It could be for a short performance and you would end up being unemployed again. Hence, you have to do a lot of networking with other artists in order to get a job in future.
As a Christian, it's tougher and more dangerous in terms of it affecting our spiritual walk with God. There are roles that involve physical intimacy, thus we have to reject it. Next, is the "Ego" factor, God detests pride; when an artist is famous, pride begins to grow and will lead to his/her downfall.
Last but not least, as an artist there is certain requirement in the roles given. During the play, we might be so engrossed with the characters that we are not be able to retreat back as our "usual self". Hence, as a Christian theatre artist, we have to constantly guard our heart, mind and soul. Be steadfast in our walk with God and it has to be a calling from God to go into theatre work, otherwise don't commit.
1.Informed by your reading of this chapter, explain why theatre is a powerful communication tool.
Starting with its given definition that theater happens when an audience and actor are present, it essentially means that it could occur anytime, given in any space and shown in any method restricted by the environment’s availability; thence giving it a flexibility that is not attainable by a good variety of other means.
In addition to such, theatre has always been associated with aspects of a play, and as such a time of fun, a movie or a concert, given such a covert anagram any message can be passed on and performed before an audience without its natural skepticism.
Finally serving as a better medium of raising questions, it allows the human mind to consider and balance the aspects that are raised by such a medium (that is the play); thus allowing a person to critic and question his own viewpoints in comparison to that shown by the play.
2.How is a play not like a sermon
Given the definition of a sermon which is a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction, exhortation- or in summary a lecture; a sermon serves as a medium of communication based on morale principles defined by God. If I could compare it with colors, a sermon is verily black and white, what is right is right and wrong is wrong.
However the discourse of a play is dependant of the director or writer of the play, hence an element of self perspective, one’s own world view, and personal biasness will be evident within the production itself- plainly, it is to see through a colored eyeglass of another.
In such an opinion, a play and sermon differs greatly in this area- for to the listener of a sermon, a sense of absoluteness is present, for the morale laws come from God and the believer understands that there is nothing more perfect then God, hence a sermon based on such has a basis of right and wrong.
Yet a play being written will be ‘colored’ by one’s personal emotions, views, experiences and cultural impacts.
3.Francis Schaffer’s understanding of a Christian worldview explains that there is a minor theme of the Bible (man is a sinner and we live in a fallen world) and the major theme of the Bible (Christ’s death provides redemption from our sin). Why does Dr. Savidge believe that plays present only the minor theme of the Bible can be powerful?
According to Dr Savidge, his perspective is when humans are shown their true nature, which is as a sinner, there is where a person will also recognize the need for a Saviour.
5.Why is theatre “is the most directly human of all the arts”?
6.Why is it important to “engage culture”?
For it ‘engages people in the same time and permits a space for the sharing of stories’; as theatre reflects the worldviews of its author and artists’ it in turn reflects the culture and society that such a person was brought up in, as such it becomes a mirror of sorts reflecting what the society is becoming or accepting.
As such it creates a space with which a story can be told unhindered and at the same time, because of this story, engage the audience to think and compare what is told with what is in ‘real life’.
-Nicholas
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