What one learns in church typically is different from what one learns in college in terms of subject, content and perspective. The substance of “Terror Texts,” a musical written and directed by Jeff Barker at Northwestern (Christian) College in Orange City, Iowa, definitely isn’t standard Sunday School fare. (Story contines below.)
Discussion Starters:
1.) Barker makes it clear he is remaining faithful to Scripture and that this project has “resurrected” Bible stories that have lain “dormant” for centuries. Do you and your students think delivering the Word in fresh and creative ways reaches a broader audience, or do you think such handling of Scripture is risky or misleading?
2.) One of the student actors, Hannah McBride, cites life lessons she has learned from participating in the project. Discuss a time when you (and each student) gained something important for studying the Word in a new way (other than part of an audience or congregation).
3.) Several verses in the Bible cite “terror (of the Lord),” such as
Barker took six Old Testament stories that share the thematic elements of mystery and terror — and added a rock band and mosh pit — and wove it all together using the King James Version of the Bible. Students, costumed in goth attire, act out the drama (actual Scripture); the performance is not an adaptation or translation.
Barker says there’s incredible power in speaking Scripture. William Dyrness, professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, agrees, adding that a significant portion of the Old Testament was designed to be sung, especially as part of worship. Dyrness also mentioned that this musical is a very “Protestant” way to handle Scripture, that is, trying to understand the Bible and apply it’s teaching to one’s life.
Hannah McBride, a student participating in the performance, says the project has affected the way she perceives negative emotions, such as anger and grief. She noted that as emotional creatures we need to allow ourselves to experience such feelings and accept the fact we won’t always know what to do with them.
