The Dramatization of Bible Stories: An experiment in the religious education of childrenLobingier, Elizabeth Miller
Philosophy
The Dramatization of Bible Stories: An experiment in the religious education of children
Lobingier, Elizabeth Miller
Children's plays; Drama in education; Religious education
The most majestic piece of literature in the Bible, and one of the
world's masterpieces, is the Book of Job. The Prologue and Epilogue are
in the prose epic style, which characterizes the best narrative
portions of the Bible. The main part of the book is actually dramatic
in form, and the deep problem of human suffering is discussed in the
loftiest poetic language. The theme is so profound and the imagery so
elevated that it is quite beyond the ability of small children.
High-school students might well present the drama. Many of the speeches
may be abbreviated, while the Prologue can easily be dramatized. Job
has been so presented with great success by children of high-school age
at All Souls' Church, Chicago. It may be noted that the voice of the
Lord was given in an elevated monotone by a person unseen.
11. THE PROPHETS
For the older children many of the Prophets make interesting characters
for dramatization. The great value of a study of the Prophets lies in
their appeal as beautiful pieces of literature and expressions of the
deepest spiritual feeling, rather than in the dramatic situations
presented. If a study is made of the life of the Prophets, and of the
times in which they lived, ample material will be discovered which may
serve as a background for the dramatization of these characters. This
material is not entirely available from the Bible, but should be
reinforced by outside references, such as _The Prophets of Israel_ by
C. H. Cornill, _The Modern Reader's Bible_ by R. G. Moulton, _The
Hebrew Prophets_ by Chamberlin.
The prophet Amos may be taken as an example of what can be done with
this material. The Children of Israel are celebrating their autumn
festival with great joy and abandon. As the mirth is at its highest an
unknown man makes his way through the crowd. He silences the festivity
by chanting his dirgelike reproof to the merrymakers. The astonishment
of the people at this sensational interruption is great. The high
priest hurries toward him and demands an explanation for this unusual
disturbance. He orders Amos to cease speaking and to go back to the
hills and mind his sheep. Amos answers that he is sent by the Lord to
reprove the people of Israel, and he continues to intone his
lamentations. The most beautiful and vivid selections for use in
dramatization are found in chapters 8 and 9. While the final beautiful
words of the prophecy are regarded as an editorial appendix, there can
be no impropriety in using them as a dramatic climax. The people may
then be represented as subdued in spirit, accepting the upbraiding as
being the word of God.
Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other Prophets may be worked out in like manner.
The result in each case, however, should insure the utmost dignity and
beauty; otherwise the dramatization should never be attempted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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