You know, I really felt like McCracken seemed like a guy who once was more progressive (maybe even in the closet! But who am I to speculate!) and had to deny all that after a conversion experience of sorts and mandated beliefs that go with it. His analysis was just sooo close to getting it...
Outstanding writing, Christine! Just once I'd like to hear a Christian authority recognize that their moral absolutes corrode love and kindness and cause rigor mortis of the human soul.
I've been listening to the OBC recording of "Wicked" for years, and the thing that freaks me out the most is the way the citizens of Oz display the types of norm enforcement that I grew up with. "The wicked die alone." The fear of being alone and without groupthink to support your sense of identity. "What our children miss when they misbehave." I feel myself being tut-tutted with a shaking finger whenever I listen to "No One Mourns the Wicked." And I think about how those tut-tuts lead directly to mob mentality, pain and deaths of those who are othered.
(me too! Love the OBC recording!) YES!! The Oz-ians / Munchkins sent all these messages about the importance of falling in line, groupthink, obedience... just like many of us group up with... On point!!
I’m going to see it over Christmas break with my kids and their cousins. I can’t wait!!! I actually have never seen the play (I did read the book!) so I have been waiting to listen to the soundtrack and I’m so excited.
Your analysis reminds me of the His Dark Material books and how Christians were so upset about them/banned them because in the story the “God” character dies. But in reality the book was all about the death of God and his church as power-hungry control freaks! 😆 once I finally read it (and loved it) I was like, man they were upset about this book but somehow missed the point entirely!
Great post, friend. I can't even with these Christian takes—even and maybe especially the *almost* got it ones. I loved the movie and have never read the book. I'm on the wait list at my library for it.
I know -- they're so close but whoosh!! Missed the main thing? (I read Laura Anderson's take - or the free part on her Substack -- about Mark Driscoll's opinions from just the trailer, and that is just ridiculous like he didn't even try one ounce to understand what it's about. Totally dismissed. But this other guy...!)
Brilliant piece, Christine! I wish I could add my own thoughts, but you've captured them better than I could!
Looks like McCracken has done everything right with his analysis except use it as a mirror.
Thanks, Matt!
You know, I really felt like McCracken seemed like a guy who once was more progressive (maybe even in the closet! But who am I to speculate!) and had to deny all that after a conversion experience of sorts and mandated beliefs that go with it. His analysis was just sooo close to getting it...
Outstanding writing, Christine! Just once I'd like to hear a Christian authority recognize that their moral absolutes corrode love and kindness and cause rigor mortis of the human soul.
Yes... "moral absolutes corrode love and kindness and cause rigor mortis of the human soul"...!!!
I've been listening to the OBC recording of "Wicked" for years, and the thing that freaks me out the most is the way the citizens of Oz display the types of norm enforcement that I grew up with. "The wicked die alone." The fear of being alone and without groupthink to support your sense of identity. "What our children miss when they misbehave." I feel myself being tut-tutted with a shaking finger whenever I listen to "No One Mourns the Wicked." And I think about how those tut-tuts lead directly to mob mentality, pain and deaths of those who are othered.
(me too! Love the OBC recording!) YES!! The Oz-ians / Munchkins sent all these messages about the importance of falling in line, groupthink, obedience... just like many of us group up with... On point!!
I’m going to see it over Christmas break with my kids and their cousins. I can’t wait!!! I actually have never seen the play (I did read the book!) so I have been waiting to listen to the soundtrack and I’m so excited.
Your analysis reminds me of the His Dark Material books and how Christians were so upset about them/banned them because in the story the “God” character dies. But in reality the book was all about the death of God and his church as power-hungry control freaks! 😆 once I finally read it (and loved it) I was like, man they were upset about this book but somehow missed the point entirely!
Nice!!! I want to read the book (same with Marla -- but I still need to get on the library waitlist!). Hope you enjoy it!
I am not familiar with that series (books or shows) but of course, now I'm extra intrigued...!!!
Of course they would miss the point entirely 🤦🏼♀️
Great post, friend. I can't even with these Christian takes—even and maybe especially the *almost* got it ones. I loved the movie and have never read the book. I'm on the wait list at my library for it.
I know -- they're so close but whoosh!! Missed the main thing? (I read Laura Anderson's take - or the free part on her Substack -- about Mark Driscoll's opinions from just the trailer, and that is just ridiculous like he didn't even try one ounce to understand what it's about. Totally dismissed. But this other guy...!)
I need to join my library wait list!!