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Theater and the church have been at odds throughout history. This conflict has led
to alienation and judgment of artists by the church and limited creative opportunities for
the church to be a public witness in culture. Connecting with theater allows the church a
chance to engage those most marginalized from church, shape disciples and create a
unique public theology to share God’s justice, equity and love.
Scripture and theology are inherently dramatic. Sacred text is the progressive,
story of a relationship between the Creator and the created. Both Old and New Testament
are filled with dramatic moments that testify to God’s story of love. Consider the New
Testament gospel stories of Jesus. From the Incarnation, baptism, a public ministry of
miracles and preaching, a processional entry into Jerusalem that leads to death on a cross
and resurrection, each story is a theatrical moment that reveals the nature of God.
Theatrical theology tells the story of God as writer, Son as hero and Holy Spirit as
director seeking to partner with the supporting characters of humanity throughout time.
This project explores theatrical theology as a vehicle for the church to shape disciples
who take their place alongside the Divine Trinity on stage as public theologians and
participate in social resistance within a community.
This project is written in two acts. Act I is the history of theater and the church,
the background of theatrical theology and its praxis. Act II is the case study of a large,
mainline denominational church in Florida. ACT II breaks the fourth wall with the
spectator (reader) through digital media embedded in the writing. Click on each visual to
link to live videos and watch a theatrical theology come to life within a church.
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