Cool. Two things though:

Why the King James version? If “every word that is written is there for a purpose”? Because the King James is not necessarily the most accurate.

And what do you think what Barker meant when he said; “It says we are capable of great evil and we must not forget these stories and we have some serious things to be accountable for in our own lives as a group and individually.”? Because it sounds like he is suggesting that some of those stories might not be about things that God actually ordained but maybe we just had him take the fall for them.

I truly appreciate what you guys had to say here. I have been a member of the terror texts cast, and we are all so very humbled to have so much attention drawn to our small corner of the world. Though I am not an expert in the making of terror texts (being solely a student), I feel like I do have a good grasp of that which were doing here. First, our use of the KJV, though it be acknowledged as not the most accurate of translations, was intended to add a poetic nature to the script, and allow us to use language that is arcane in its sound and syntax. Therefore, though its accuracy may be called into question, the overall idea of the story pervades, and that is the more important virtue. Additionally, Jeff Barker (the director) wanted the entire play to be redone by any and all those who wish, so that people will see the merit of these stories that have often been neglected by Sunday School teachers (to use a popular phrase amongst those involved).
To respond to the first comment, we of course do not believe that God ordaines rape and murder (nor do I have all the answers as to why he told his children of Israel to go to war against fellow human beings), but you are correct in stating that God is fully capable of turning all evil to good. The whole idea of free will and choice is that mankind can choose to follow the easy path, or we can turn and follow him. Though we will certainly make mistakes and fall prone to our sinful nature, it is the act following him, maintaining our humility, repenting of our evil deeds, and loving and keeping faith in Him that makes us who we are (we can argue theology later…not to mention the fact that I surely got something wrong here…but I’m a music major, not a Religion or theology major!)
Also, please note that we did not use the tale of Lot and Sodom in our musical.
This show is all about reclaiming biblical texts in manners such as live theatre, so that everyone may enjoy them (or perhaps more correctly, ponder them), as we do some of the more popular sections of the bible. These texts, though not forgotten (especially by theologians and biblical scholars), are often passed over by (and I carefully tread here) many Christians (I, myself, am guilty of such). As such, we wanted to popularize these stories about the darkness of humanity, so that people could ponder the difficult questions that they pose.
Many have also theorized that the texts of the Old Testament were originally poetic, and sung or recited in order to facilitate memorization and worship with such texts. Therefore, it’s a very short distance from such thought to actual performance onstage.
Finally, many have accused us of treating the bible too lightly, using the grungy, gothic, otherworldly motif in a manner that is irreverent to the texts, and serves only to entertain. In reality, this is the exact opposite of that which we are doing in Terror Texts. We treat each of these stories with a great deal of reverence and respect, and all here acknowledge each night before a show that it is all “to the King.” The grungy, gothic theme is intended to create a completely different world than that of the audience, and the “tribal” feel pervades as well. Both work (cohesively, mind you) to encourage the audience to depart from their seats, rocket back to the Israel of antiquity, and observe some of the atrocities that mankind is capable of committing. The themes also serve to connect a modern audience with stories that are anything but modern in nature, but also remind them that even cultures such as our own are capable of committing evil…we need not be ancient nor uncultured to bring evil and hateful deeds unto our fellow man.
The musical finishes with an a cappella piece which simply states “do remember me.” It reminds the audience that the people in the tales are just like them, and that they should all take care to remember the stories, for they carry great importance and great lessons to be learned.
(note also, the likelihood that we could come out for a performance on the east coast is insanely small, but you could contact Jeff Barker, our theatre prof and director for tour info. maybe our drama ministries ensemble could tour it)

Hello everyone, first I’d like to say that I am thrilled with the attention this show is now getting, and I hope this idea of performing the Ancient Plays of Israel (The Bible) will become more widespread because of it.

I am the scenic designer for the show, and have been a part of this project since its beginning. Some of this has already been said, so I’m sorry if I repeat some things Austin has already touched on.

Terror Texts is peek into an unknown world, a terrifying world. These are some of the toughest stories in the Bible, and because of this, they are rarely preached on and certainly not taught in Sunday School. Indeed, cannibalism, rape, murder, war…it’s all there. And it begs the question, ‘Why?’ …and why are these stories so hard to understand? Why has God allowed such wickedness?

Terror Texts does not make an attempt to answer the question “why?” …but rather to ask it again, by shedding a new light on it. It begs the audience to ‘Look, see, hear, remember…’ Look at what humanity is capable of, even the people of God. These were real people, and these things did happen. When you read words on a page, they may not seems as real. There is a disconnect. Watch these stories come to life, and you get this realization of ‘wow, why? What is my connection to this? How does this affect me in MY world?’

These stories are dark. But when the darkness gets darker, the brightness shines brighter. There are moments of holiness and beauty in these texts that become more apparent when you SEE them on stage, rather that just on a page.

I’m not discrediting the Scriptures as they are. God’s Word is powerful, and God will uses it for his purposes. But there are so many treasures within the scriptures that we as a theatre company have uncovered that have made us react to the texts in a totally different way.

To sum up, These texts beg the question ‘why’…why did this happen? And the show begs the audience not to toss these stories aside and forget about them. These stories have long been shoved in the corner, and read only in personal devotions. There may be a sermon on one of them once in a while, but I think we can all agree it’s rare. These stories are in Scripture, these people did exist, and God has something to say through them…both through their good deeds, and their evil deeds. Well here’s a new way of looking at it, a new way to try and sort it out. We don’t have an answer to the question ‘why’ …we’re just finding new ways keep trying. What do you make of it?

I love to hear that people are talking about this, with the limited knowledge you have. The music is available to listen to at http://www.myspace.com/terrortextsthemusical …they are the studio recordings performed by our composer, Joseph Barker, and his band based in Minneapolis.

And while you’re correct in assuming that getting 60 people out to the east coast for a performance is logistically an issue right now, a DVD can definitely be sent your way! I actually headed up the filming of this show, so why don’t you email me a mailing address and once it’s complete (give me up to a month, now that the show is done I can focus on other stuff finally!).

You can reach me at vaughn****@***il.com [edit:contact blog author]. Also, on the myspace page is a trailer for a recently completed documentary on the journey we’ve gone through here at Northwestern with these Ancient Plays of Israel. If this is of interest to you, I can probably manage to send a copy along with the finished DVD edit of the show. I’m excited to get this stuff out to others so they can discuss and ponder and discover.

Man, I turn my head for just one second and look what I miss! Cool stuff. Definitely going to check it out.

Buddy, I think you misread me. I am not one of those who thinks God does not purge evil anymore. I was just trying to point out that it’s not always so obvious; it’s necessarily the tidal wave or the hurricane or the earthquake. Maybe sometimes it can be something as innocuous as an economic recession. Or Mr. Potter’s lonely death bed.

I like the idea that we can identify with some of these horrific characters from the Old Testament. I think it’s pretty easy to NOT identify with them, but perhaps that’s not the point.

As some of you know, I am a great-grandmother (although not old enough to be one…at least in my mind!). I tell you this because the appeal of this portrayal of the bible is not just to the youger-generation. After seeing the trailer I am SO excited about this concept. I can’t wait to get my hands on the DVD. I’m even tempted to travel to Iowa to see the live show if it is performed again! Please keep us informed.

I don’t think Falwell got beat up for talking about the wrath of God he got called on the carpet for INVOKING the wrath of God, something I doubt anyone is qualified to do in these days - him, Robertson or the Pope.

And isn’t that the real problem here? Why can’t some of these fire breathers stop second guessing God and let Him take His vengeance on who He will. He doesn’t need us to make suggestions.

Funny thing, a lot of those invokers end up getting smote themselves, don’t they?

Sure. Just like Reverend Wright. Both guys think that America as historically somewhat culpable for the attacks. And I happen to agree with that premise - doesn’t make it right. And just because someone believes something is not good justification for saying. Anyway, Falwell and Robertson have never taken your view; ‘could be, but then again…”. They claim to have God’s ear and vice versa. When really it would be just as accurate to flip a coin.

But who forced Falwell to apologize?

Yeah, I know, I am a chronic lurker, but I just can’t deal.

“Or perhaps God had as little to do with these thing as he did with the collapsing tower at Shiloam.”

Now, how in the heck do you figure this considering the context?

It must come from this presumption, “Innocents killed because others are not innocent?” but this presumption is completely incongruent with the passage about the tower at Siloam.

Your later statement is contextually unsound all by itself, but put together with the other quote, your idea is completely biblically incoherent.

Hiya Bud.

I really appreciate what you have been laying down.

should read “if HE allowed IT to happen…” 6:00 am and my eyes are still bleary.

Unless I’ve misread you, I wouldn’t think either of you would see things like the fall of the tower as punishment for non-repentance. I think that’s what Jesus is saying; “Look you are no better than those people. That’s not why they died. But beware, be prepared. It could happen to you, at any moment. You’re all on borrowed time, so repent, now.”

The atheist line sort of goes like; “If God’s omnipotent and he allows evil well then he must have created evil and thereby in some way must be evil”. So…I think we need to be careful before we start saying things like God sent the tidal wave, or the hurricane or the planes. No, scratch that, I think that we need not say things like that at all.

Yeah, I think prophets exist. But who really knows which ones they are, eh? Might be that guy walking around downtown, naked as a jaybird with the dog poop on his head. Might even be Jerry and Pat. Gosh. My money’s on the guy downtown.

Everyone brings baggage to the text. You, me, Jason - everyone. Unless we are someone like Chauncy Gardiner, who brings perhaps a bit less baggage. Why is baggage that bad? I mean, unless you can literally place yourself in the shoes of, let’s say….the multitude on the mount, then you are going to bring your own perspective to the story.

Where do you get that from in the text?

Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no!…Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no!”

That’s how I read it.

Who are we to say he’s wrong..?

Because Pat has, at other times, made predictions based upon what he says God has told him and he has been…incorrect. I don’t think he’s lying, I think he believes it. But so have other, perhaps more questionable, “prophets”.

“I think we need to be careful before we start saying things like God sent the tidal wave, or the hurricane or the planes. No, scratch that, I think that we need not say things like that at all”

OK, there are any number of problems here. Firstly, you are approaching this with a temporal presupposition. If one is to hold to God’s eternality then he created everything while - at the very least - knowing what will come to pass. If you’re going to chose to abandon this then you have a problem with prophet-downtown-mumbler, not that he is able to prophecy that one particular thing will come to pass, but that all previous things will come to pass so that the one particular thing will come to pass. There is complete certainty that God is in control of minutia in these circumstances, so to take the absence of evidence of Providence in matters such as the bridge collapse or the Tsunami is to presume that God is either unaware or unable.

We cannot declare why things have come to pass, (if we are going theorize about why then we need to be putting it on ourselves) but to say that God is separate from it is to say that suffering has no foreknown, intended purpose, only the god of slow reflexes trying to make the best of that big mess that happened while he had his feet up watching the Steelers having an Iron City.

“Everyone brings baggage to the text. You, me, Jason - everyone”

This only avoids the fact that the narrative - that is, how things happened - has an obvious theological lean. There comes a point at which the words need to mean something. I mean, I understood everything you said…but I have all this baggage! How could I comprehend you at all? heh

“That’s how I read it”

Another life changing moment of biblical exposition. You can get the whole set for 39.95.