Godly Play
Truth has had its day. Or so say the postmodernists. And Christians are beginning to acknowledge that although we wouldn't buy into such a claim outright, nevertheless there is some, er, truth in what they're saying.
We've begun to see that yes, we do claim that our way is the way (as opposed to the heretics who call themselves Christians in the church down the road) - when we shouldn't. We've begin to realise that our faith isn't an entirely logical, propositional system (although it can be considered rationally if approached humbly). We've begun to realise that the Bible is not a text book, but a collection of historical accounts, stories, poems, songs and letters, which open up richly when we treat them as such.
But where do we go from here? One response has been to say that 'story' is the key to exploring truth within a postmodern world. But where are the storytellers? And what are the stories we should tell? It seems we haven't yet fully embraced the possibilities within our churches.
One example that's beginning to spread is worth exploring. In fact, it's a way of teaching children Bible stories, called 'Godly Play', developed by Dr Jerome Berryman in the US. A storyteller sits in a circle with a group of children and tells a Bible story (Berryman has re-worked many stories carefully, so that they are pitched appropriately). It's illustrated using small props.
Then, the teller begins a time of wondering, asking open questions and being careful not to critique the responses. In this way, the children can immerse themselves in the narrative and explore the possibilities of the tale together - without being 'told' what it's 'really' about.
They are then invited to respond personally through play - by painting pictures, writing poems, modelling clay...
Adults might learn something from this. So often, in seeking the right answer from a parable or story, we fail to appreciate it for what it is. Its power is closed down before we can open it. This can happen with the entire Bible, which many people never read, but simply learn about.
Godly Play is not a blueprint to replace exposition; but it may help to redress a balance, as we become curious, once more, about stories which are all too familiar.
Postmodernists might say Christians have lost the plot. But this time, we can thank them for pointing it out.
Brian Draper
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