Godspell

In their review of 'Godspell' in Salient' May 1, Stewart and Keene exposed themselves as modern day pharisees, revealing that old pharisee motto: "There are none so blind as those that will not see."

They begin by telling us 'Christ was clown among nine goons'; but although possibly dressed as a clown, he certainly never acted like one, for in all that he said and did he was neither pious nor flippant, but very sincere.

Apparently the dialogue "portrays a message quite different to that of the original", but I would be interested in hearing what Stewart and Keene consider the original message to be, if they know at all.

I suggest that the gospel needs no re-interpretation for contemporary society, the original and only message of the gospel will always be relevant. Men still choose to live selfish, sinful lives and can only be saved from them by Chrise.

I have heard the criticism that 'Godspell' is too fast moving and I feel that Stewart and Keene must certainly have been left behind if they felt the oppressive master/servant relationship was actually condoned.

The first such reference occurs in the parable of the unforgiving servant, Matt. 18: 21—35, where the master forgave his servant a debt he could not pay, and set him free — surely this is not condoning the oppressive relationship, but showing love.

I suggest Stewart and Keene also read Matt 5: 38—42, and read about 'walking two miles for a man in authority' in the context of the passage.

Maybe you will learn its lesson about paying back hate with love. This was pointed out at the time in 'Godspell', but you may have missed it or chosen to forget it.

Like the Pharisees, they couldn't see past the physical situation to the purpose of the image.

How come Stewart and Keene missed the most prominent point of 'Godspell', the greatest commandment of Christ, the very point of the gospel.

"You must love the lord with all your heart, with all you soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself.

It was no fault of the show that Stewart and Keene missed the main point, only their own blindness.

I am a Bible class leader and a C.U. member but, personally, would not rave over 'Godspell' at all.

Stephen Jourdain