2008 Woodie Awards
Winning Step Sing show demonstrates sacrilige
Alex Poythress
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Opinion
“I know it’s kind of irreverent, but really, how can you not laugh?”
This expression voiced the reaction of many students and families to a creative but borderline sacrilegious performance by 2008 Step Sing champions Sigma Chi.
I give the fraternal champions extra props for creativity. They gave by far the most unique performance of any last weekend. However, as an organization that inescapably represents to Birmingham the ideals of a Christian university, perhaps there is substance to claims that the Sigma Chi Step Sing show was a little over the top.
Jesus’ disciples, many of whom are also commonly referred to as the church fathers, were the men appointed by Jesus to continue the ministry that He had set in motion before the crucifixion. This core group of 11 men were the ones responsible for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of them founded the first churches, and some of them wrote entire books of the Bible. In the words of Jesus to Peter, “…You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it,” (Matt. 16:18).
These men were given a special authority and responsibility in the founding of the Christian church.
It is at best an insult to these men and their positions as church fathers, to portray them in a humorous, mocking light. The deliberate use of funny music, ridiculous costumes and a cardboard boat portray some of the most significant moments in the entire history of the church as anything but divine. Furthermore, we should not be entertained by the idea of a person being turned away from the gates of heaven. This part of the show was especially derogatory towards all the disciples, whose faith was an integral part of the Church’s establishment.
Christian speaker Ravi Zacharias once said that the things that make us laugh and cry reveal the condition of our hearts. In the light of this idea, it grieves me that Samford speaks so loudly in support of this seemingly sacrilegious show, while putting in third place an original and properly reverent illustration of the seven deadly sins.
This expression voiced the reaction of many students and families to a creative but borderline sacrilegious performance by 2008 Step Sing champions Sigma Chi.
I give the fraternal champions extra props for creativity. They gave by far the most unique performance of any last weekend. However, as an organization that inescapably represents to Birmingham the ideals of a Christian university, perhaps there is substance to claims that the Sigma Chi Step Sing show was a little over the top.
Jesus’ disciples, many of whom are also commonly referred to as the church fathers, were the men appointed by Jesus to continue the ministry that He had set in motion before the crucifixion. This core group of 11 men were the ones responsible for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of them founded the first churches, and some of them wrote entire books of the Bible. In the words of Jesus to Peter, “…You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it,” (Matt. 16:18).
These men were given a special authority and responsibility in the founding of the Christian church.
It is at best an insult to these men and their positions as church fathers, to portray them in a humorous, mocking light. The deliberate use of funny music, ridiculous costumes and a cardboard boat portray some of the most significant moments in the entire history of the church as anything but divine. Furthermore, we should not be entertained by the idea of a person being turned away from the gates of heaven. This part of the show was especially derogatory towards all the disciples, whose faith was an integral part of the Church’s establishment.
Christian speaker Ravi Zacharias once said that the things that make us laugh and cry reveal the condition of our hearts. In the light of this idea, it grieves me that Samford speaks so loudly in support of this seemingly sacrilegious show, while putting in third place an original and properly reverent illustration of the seven deadly sins.
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