THE CHRISTIANS:
The Gate Theatre, Notting Hill Gate
Director Christopher Haydon. 80mins.
In a world where the portrayal of Christians is routinely derogatory and often inaccurate, it is refreshing to come across a production that takes seriously a major doctrine of Christianity. The Christians transferred to London after a successful stint at the Edinburgh Festival.
The play is set in a mega-church at the pinnacle of its success that has just paid off its enormous debts for the new sanctuary. At this point pastor Paul preaches a sermon that redefines his position on hell. It is a radical change, centred on one emotional story told by a missionary at a pastors’ conference. Hell, instead being a future event, is reinterpreted as being right now in the world in which we all have to live. When we die we will all be ‘in Christ’ – even Hitler! This warm and inclusive message is solidified with a short video of a dove rising above the Grand Canyon.
Immediately, associate pastor Joshua challenges Pastor Paul with biblical quotes (Luke 16.28, Matthew 5.22). In response, hell is now seen as just the rubbish tip outside Jerusalem (Gehenna). 1 Corinthians 15.22 and 1 Timothy 4.10 are used to support a universalist message. Joshua is dismissed and then the cracks begin to show.
Church split
The Board, who want to be loyal to their pastor, are worried that Joshua, who was followed out by 50 church members, is actually more popular than Pastor Paul and that the financial base of the church is already weakening. One congregant, from the excellent community choir, challenges Pastor Paul that he has only revealed his true theology once the bills were paid. She is distressed. She had given faithfully and sacrificially to the church, believing that hell was real. She feels used and loses trust. He has no convincing answers for her. The ripples from this message resonate deep in the local community.
The Board offer Joshua the position of senior pastor behind Pastor Paul’s back. Joshua tells Pastor Paul this, showing his integrity. He also explains to Pastor Paul his deathbed experience with his mother, who did not repent in her final moments as she refused to say what she did not believe. He does not return to the church.
Standing for biblical truth
The Christians is an excellent, stimulating play that captures the heart from the start. Pastor Joshua’s willingness to stand for biblical truth despite strong loyalties is appealing. The play shows how a church can be at the centre of a community and that what is taught from the pulpit is vital to its overall health. It shows that using verses from the Bible to justify positions is always inferior to teaching ‘the whole counsel of God’.
