On March 11–13 and 19–20 the Calvin College Thespians presented the musical drama Godspell in Calvin’s Gezon Auditorium. In this play actors represent Jesus and His disciples as clowns. The performance may indeed, as the student paper Chimes in its enthusiastic review observed, recall old morality plays, carry a religious message, be “based on the Gospel of Matthew,” and get a sensational response from the student audience. Its actors may, as the program states “play roles, some of them obvious caricatures, some more honestly filled with the emotional reality of the moment, but all of them created with the idea of projecting the message of the Gospel in a fresh and exuberant manner.” But does all this repeal the ten commandments, notably the second and third? The Israelites, no doubt, enjoyed their “celebration in contemporary style” around the golden calves and Aaron could piously explain, “a feast to the LORD,” but the LORD did not approve of this self-chosen way of representing and worshiping Him.

When Godspell appeared in Netherlands theaters in 1972 the consistory of a church at Hengelo sent the following letter (printed in Nederlands Dagblad, sent us by a reader and freely translated) to the burgomaster:

Mr. Burgomaster,

You will understand that now when a theatrical is announced in which the Son of God and Savior of the world is subjected to scorn and mockery we appeal to you who are able to prevent and forbid the holding of such God-dishonoring performances within your territory.

We turn to you the more readily because this concerns nothing less than the Name and honor of Him who is the Lord of Glory, having all power in heaven and on earth, worthy to receive all honor and worship and praise into all eternity. We are able to speak also in the name of all in Hengelo who love our Lord Jesus Christ in truth as their Redeemer, and acknowledge and confess all honor and respect toward Him as their Lord and King.

We would be deeply ashamed if we did not let our indignant protest be heard when people in our neighborhood make fun of the Name of our Lord and God in such a scandalous fashion.

And we believe that we may appeal to our authorities who rule us by the grace of God to prevent such a desecration of the Name of the Lord.