Dinner with Legends of Faith
I recently found a flyer/brochure for a Bible themed dinner theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. One of the offerings is a dinner show that is called "Ole Timey Gospel Legends" that will feature "Legends of Faith from the Bible and East Tennessee!" I won't go into the whole list, but the idea sounds laughable already.
Legends of faith from the Bible and [insert your immediate area here]. It apparently isn't enough of a draw unless you can tie local "legends of faith" into the mix. From the Bible are listed Peter, Daniel, Noah, Moses, Elijah, King David, and Ezekiel. The remaining 13 names are Tennessee legends of faith - and does that mean that they had legendary faith or that their faith is a legend?
I'm not saying that the names they have listed aren't legends of faith (Elvis tops the list, by the way), but they seem to pale in comparison to, say, Elijah. Maybe they do but I find that I don't put them in the same category.
The line that, though written quite small, catches my eye the most is after listing the legends of faith, it reads, "Narrated by The Apostle Paul."
Looking at the quality of the brochure and the very white faces of the actors, my mind made a whole lot of jumps.
First, it would appear that the Apostle Paul has fallen on hard times if he is the narrator or M.C. for such a show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I can almost see the next flyer: The Apostle Paul with special guest the juggling sensation Rodney "Flipper" Fitz! Wouldn't it be something if Stephen (the first martyr in the book of Acts - whose death was overseen by Paul pre-Damascus Road) were on that list? Can't you hear Paul say, "And for our next guest...er...a gentleman who...um... died right in front of me..."
The second thing that came to mind is that the Apostle Paul once again becomes a mouthpiece for someone else's theological framework. I haven't gone to this show, but I imagine that the narration is also a vindication or endorsement of the people on the list. As such, Paul most likely would say how great each one is. But I have a hard time thinking Paul would be that appreciative of, say, Andrew Johnson. Maybe they would have more in common than comes to mind, but someone who put this together didn't seem to think they would be that far removed.
Of course the whole thing troubles me. The only dinner theater in the Bible that should matter to Christians is the Eucharist. And that wasn't an "eat while you watch" event. It was a meal to be shared as we come together in a community around Jesus - who is notably absent from this list of legends of faith. In fact, Jesus isn't mentioned anywhere on the brochure. But a lot of Old Testament figures are.
And there is another anachronism. The "Moses" program features as its meal "pulled pork" and the Elijah program has sliced ham.
This seems to have less and less to do with the characters or their traditions - they are Jewish after all.
Well, should you want to go hear the Apostle Paul talk about Elvis or if you want to eat pork with Moses and Elijah, I may have found the place for you. If, however, you want to hear the Apostle Paul's thoughts on God, try reading the Bible.
Legends of faith from the Bible and [insert your immediate area here]. It apparently isn't enough of a draw unless you can tie local "legends of faith" into the mix. From the Bible are listed Peter, Daniel, Noah, Moses, Elijah, King David, and Ezekiel. The remaining 13 names are Tennessee legends of faith - and does that mean that they had legendary faith or that their faith is a legend?
I'm not saying that the names they have listed aren't legends of faith (Elvis tops the list, by the way), but they seem to pale in comparison to, say, Elijah. Maybe they do but I find that I don't put them in the same category.
The line that, though written quite small, catches my eye the most is after listing the legends of faith, it reads, "Narrated by The Apostle Paul."
Looking at the quality of the brochure and the very white faces of the actors, my mind made a whole lot of jumps.
First, it would appear that the Apostle Paul has fallen on hard times if he is the narrator or M.C. for such a show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I can almost see the next flyer: The Apostle Paul with special guest the juggling sensation Rodney "Flipper" Fitz! Wouldn't it be something if Stephen (the first martyr in the book of Acts - whose death was overseen by Paul pre-Damascus Road) were on that list? Can't you hear Paul say, "And for our next guest...er...a gentleman who...um... died right in front of me..."
The second thing that came to mind is that the Apostle Paul once again becomes a mouthpiece for someone else's theological framework. I haven't gone to this show, but I imagine that the narration is also a vindication or endorsement of the people on the list. As such, Paul most likely would say how great each one is. But I have a hard time thinking Paul would be that appreciative of, say, Andrew Johnson. Maybe they would have more in common than comes to mind, but someone who put this together didn't seem to think they would be that far removed.
Of course the whole thing troubles me. The only dinner theater in the Bible that should matter to Christians is the Eucharist. And that wasn't an "eat while you watch" event. It was a meal to be shared as we come together in a community around Jesus - who is notably absent from this list of legends of faith. In fact, Jesus isn't mentioned anywhere on the brochure. But a lot of Old Testament figures are.
And there is another anachronism. The "Moses" program features as its meal "pulled pork" and the Elijah program has sliced ham.
This seems to have less and less to do with the characters or their traditions - they are Jewish after all.
Well, should you want to go hear the Apostle Paul talk about Elvis or if you want to eat pork with Moses and Elijah, I may have found the place for you. If, however, you want to hear the Apostle Paul's thoughts on God, try reading the Bible.
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