The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Easter cantatas and plays

We are coming to that time of year again when churches gear up for Easter cantatas and plays. Does anyone else have a problem with this type of service or is it just me? I believe God's word is sufficient to reach the lost and that garnishing it with a play or cantata is unnecessary. This is one of those things people don't even think about since traditionally the churches have always done them. However, I do not see any biblical warrant for doing so and fail to see a purpose other than trying to draw the world into the church, entertainment with the hope that it will snag a lost soul. I'm not even sure I am comfortable with using this method as an evengelistic tool. It takes from the power of the word and puts the focus on man's ingenuity in producing a soul wrenching show. Why can't we be satisfied with what God instructed us to do? Why do we always think we can improve God's given instructions concerning His church? Guess for all the plays and cantatas, I can just say bah humbug!!!

The Easter Scrooge

Well, I don't think Easter plays are appropriate when an actor is playing Jesus. I don't however have a problem with musical performances (for example, Handel's Messiah, although that's usually around Christmas time) so long as they are not during or replacing the worship service. Whether it's properly an "evangelistic tool" is another issue.

Our church does not put on any such performances. However, given that Handel's Messiah was written for the celebration of Christ's Resurrection, I think it would be quite lovely to listen to a performance of it.

I agree when the music is filled with doctrinal truth it is acceptable, I looked at the lyrics to Handel's Messiah, and I believe that is scriptural and Christ exalting. My difficulty is when the church tries to play up the dialog of the Easter story dramatically. I suppose I should have been more specific about my complaint. If it is a musical score that the Cantata does, not for dramatic affects but filled with scripture truth, then I am fine with it, and it can be a blessed experience. I am speaking of the stuff that tries to play the emotions without much doctrinal truth in the presentation, and mild enough to entertain the lost.

Thanks

I agree with you. It was once a part of my church experience, a long time ago. I think that you will find that the more conservative churches do not tolerate such nonsense. Trouble is, there aren't many good churches to choose from.

My take on this is that cantatas, and other musical presentations WITHOUT any dramatical nor any other representations of the Deity, are fine IF they are OUTSIDE the church. I hold that such biblically grounded and God exalting performances can be acceptable and even edifying, especially to believers. But they should not be done as part of the corporate worship of God since the Regulative Principle disallows them.

I have attended performances of Handel's "Messiah" put on by a musical association dedicated to this magnificent oratorio. And it was wonderful. And, it was performed in a "church" (ironically, a liberal one to be sure) on Wednesday evenings.

In His grace,

I agree, Pil!

There is a LCMS church in town that has a wonderful Messiah sing-a-long. Everyone brings their scores and sings the choruses. The soloists do an excellent job on their parts too, and it is a great time of rejoicing in God's great plan of salvation! Just the first part of the score is sung, but it would be great to do the latter part around Easter.

For me, Resurrection Day is the "highest, holiest day" on the "Christian calendar," so to speak. If I had my "druthers" it would be a bigger celebration than Advent!

I am offended by dramatic presentations of "Passion week" in which the second commandment is flagrantly violated "for God's glory, but a theologically accurate and Christ exalting cantata or a presentation of Handel's Messiah is the highlight of the season for me. It's pretty awesome for the musicians and choir members too! Actually I think we get the best of it, because we get to hear it over and over again; and for me the gospel is something I never get tired of hearing!