Yesterday the Telegraph published an article I had written about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for Jesus. Not his personal spiritual quest, of course, but the hunt for someone to play the character of Jesus in the stadium tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. The response was interesting!
I was careful not to endorse the TV series or the tour, but thought it raised interesting questions for how alert Christians might engage with it creatively. Let’s just say some of the response wasn’t… er… creative. But, I stand by the points I made and the questions I raised. Sometimes the church is landed with a creative and imaginative opportunity to speak a common language with popular culture… and can’t see it. Well, here’s the latest opportunity and I hope people will see it.
The basic question it raises is simple: if you were looking for Jesus, what would you expect to find? A manipulable wimp in a white nightie? A ‘muscular Christian’ figure? Someone charismatic? Someone you might normally just pass on the street? And what prejudiced images do we filter our expectations through?
The question is pertinent not only because of Superstar, but I have just got home from an hour with a group of teenage lads in an RE class where they were exploring through Mark’s Gospel what discipleship is – what it means to commit to what you believe. They made strong points, asked good and penetrating questions, and made it a privilege to be there with them.
I actually spent four hours today (after a meeting with Bradford business leaders over breakfast) in this local Church of England secondary school. This is a school that makes a mockery of current ideologues’ obsession with simplistic measurements of achievement. Brilliant leadership in a building that isn’t helpful has still attracted excellent teaching staff. I loved being there (for the second time this year). Some of what I saw and heard was inspirational. I came away feeling very thoughtful and challenged, too.
The Church of England is constantly slagged off for cherrypicking the best students in the best areas. When people like me counter this with examples such as the school I visited today – and I have visited many, many others – which takes kids from its immediate catchment, including ‘challenging’ areas, we get dismissed. I seriously wonder if some commentators ever visit schools like this and open their eyes to what is demanded of teachers – such as that they should be surrogate parents, extended family, social workers, psychologists, counsellors, spiritual directors, friends, mentors, etc.
Not every school starts from the same point, but some are deemed to be ‘satsifactory’ in terms of certain markers when the starting points are ignored. No wonder that so many teachers and headteachers express the view that the (particularly Westminster) politicians ought to get out more and immerse themselves in these realities before setting policy.
Anyway, Superstar is intriguing. So is being grilled by teenage lads about what commitment really means.
June 29, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Did you listen to Desert Island Discs this morning? Reinforces your comments about how some communities and people are viewed.
June 30, 2012 at 1:10 am
Hi Nick
After a period where we may niot have seen eye to eye regarding the gay marriage debate scenario, I am glad to report that normal service has been resumed. Have just read the Telegraph article you wrote and I agree wholeheartedly with every word. What an opportunity this presents. I can easily foresee conversations in my own workplace with colleagues that would never otherwise take place. Talk about “making the most of every opportunity!”
I personally love the fact that it involves people such as Mel Chisholm, Chris Moyles and especially Tim Minchin. So long as it avoids becoming somewhat “twee”, what an imaginative and creative process it could turn out to be. And if Frank Morison could start out as a complete sceptic determined to dispel all this Christain mullarkey and end up writing a book about his life-changing experiences as amazing as “Who Moved The Stone” turned out to be, who knows what God might do? I actually really enjoy engaging with athiests..at least there is a response and they are willing to address the bigger questions in life even if they come down on the other side of the coin than we do. And I have to confess, one of the biggest challenges I find as a Chrisyian is meeting and getting to know atheists/agnostics who I could 9and indeed often do) happily spend hours in the company of, compared to some (though by no means all) types of Christian, whereby 15 minutes is way, way too lomg!
Not so sure however about the responders to your Telegraph article. What a weird bunch they appeared to be….or maybe it was just me…Glad to hear your secondary schhol visit went so well.. Sounds like the RE lesson was great stuff. My 10 year old daughter attends a local C of E primary school and last night the Glee singing group she attends weekly took part in a local arts festival involving children at primary and secondary level. They were the only church school present and sang three songs…”True Colours”, “Defying Gravity” and the final one of which was a brilliant version of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from Funny Girl, which would have made Barbra Strisand proud, and which absolutely brought the house down.
The year 1 teacher who leads them is fantastic and really gifted and they were fantastic, and I’m not just saying it as a proud Dad…the response they got from the audience was sponteaneous and genuine. It is so improtant that we engage in creative and innovative ways, and allow others to see the tremendous giftings God has placed in our young people, which we are to value, nurture and develop. The kids from the other schools were great too btw! but even they, pupils and staff alike, were peaising my daughters group and saying how great they were. How encouraging is that!
Loved the “lord looking for the Lord” quote in the DT article. Inspired!
June 30, 2012 at 6:19 am
I suspect that part of the enduring popularity of Jesus Christ Superstar is a reflection of Jesus’ own Pre eminence even among doubters and disbelievers: the challenges to Him are vital and – in the most important sense – withstood.
The line: Who do you think that you really are? poses that. To sum up so central a question so eloquently is skilful and magical, Christianity questioned succinctly.
We are left to opt for brevity or long term inquiry. One size suits all is a successful sales strategy.