A live discussion with the authors
Performing the Plays of the Bible: Seven Ancient Scripts and Our Journey to Return Them to the Stage
With Jeff Barker and Thomas Boogaart
Saturday, May 22, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. EST (GMT -5)
“The Bible contains history’s largest collection of ancient plays. These historical dramas were born in oral cultures: these plays were always intended to be heard, seen, and felt.”
The book, Performing the Plays of the Bible, describes and demonstrates how seven of the stories of the Bible may be relived in your context.
The narratives of the Scriptures have dramatic structure that suggests they were originally performed by the people of Israel. Performing the Plays of the Bible takes dramatic structure seriously and demonstrates how to move these ancient dramas from the page to the stage.
“Can you imagine reading a book of recipes and never tasting warm bread? So it is with the Bible plays: we want you to ‘Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see–how good God is’ (Psalm 34:8, The Message).”
Jeff Barker is well-known and loved at IWS where he co-teaches the doctoral course, The Renewal of Sunday Worship: Music and the Arts. He recently retired from a successful teaching career in the theatre program at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He is the author of several books including The Storytelling Church: Adventures in Reclaiming the Role of Story in Worship. See a list of his plays and other creative output here.
Dr. Thomas Boogaart served for over 30 years as Old Testament Professor at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan where “his wise, intentional, prophetic, playful, and thoughtful presence shaped the character and identity” of the seminary and its students. A scholar of ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, Tom provided a fresh translation of each of the passages that come to life in Performing the Plays of the Bible.
Performing the Plays of the Bible LIVE Zoom
on Saturday, May 22, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Eastern
Each person will receive a FREE digital copy of the book Performing the Plays of the Bible after registering. Or you may request a hard copy. Register now to receive your copy!
Register for the Barker & Boogaart Webinar
Future IWS Webinar Discussions
Constance Cherry
Worship Like Jesus
Saturday, June 5, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Pre-Register for Constance Cherry