A Perspective On Drama
by Bob Siegel
The other side of
academic arguments for Christianity
is the soft apologetic or the awakening of an emotional truth-an
experience which sends out the signal, "We relate. We see where you are
at."
Prior to becoming a Christian I had no interest in religion and no
incentive to read the Bible. But God used my interest in theater by
communicating to me through plays which dealt with human nature, our
selfishness, our darker, evil side. Without using the word "sin" I was
indeed challenged about my guilt and my longing for a more complete
life.
After becoming a Christian I decided that if God could use unbelieving
authors so effectively he could certainly use Christians who write
dramas with a more conscious "lighthouse."
My plays are pre-evangelistic. They do not contain a gospel message,
but they are designed in such a way that they can easily be followed up
with one. By addressing such issues as romance, divorce, suicide and
family relationships, we can celebrate the human pilgrimage with all
its beauty, ugliness, hopes and limitations. This is made easier as
people see a character they can relate to in the play, one who shares
their present views or misconceptions.
We found that by raising issues rather than stepping on a soap box,
some unbelievers have shown more respect and more interest in our
ministry. One fellow commented that prior to seeing our play, ETERNAL
REACH he hated Christianity.
A play which starts out comical and ends up making people cry, running
the whole gamut of emotions, can create an atmosphere conducive to the
spreading of the gospel. However, such emotional highs can actually be
quite manipulative if misused and this is why my plays usually do not
entirely conclude the story. I leave a little bit up to the
imagination. In short, the emotional experience exists for the purpose
of challenging people to think rather than telling them what to think.
So many people turned off to religion would give their lives to Jesus
if they only understood what the love of Christ is really all about.
Paul's challenge of being all things to all people should give us an
incentive to reach people at their own level and in their own language.
I have found drama to be one such tool.
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"Bob Siegel is
gifted with the ability to write in a
humorous yet moving style. He gets across a powerful message."
-Paul Russell
Christian Community Theater
"The plays that (Bob Siegel) writes and performs are intense, humorous,
insightful and thought provoking. Rather than take complex theological
and social issues and make them black and white, he has the courage to
present those issues clearly and passionately in all their complexity.
The result is that his appreciative viewers leave feeling as though
they have seen the twin sides of reality in a fresh, healthy way."
-Steve Stucky
Regional Director,
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
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