Telling the Gospel of Peace in the Age of Trump

by Tom Boomershine

Tom will lead this workshop at the 2018 Festival Gathering of the Network of Biblical Storytellers.

The policies of the current US administration and the prevalence of the myth of redemptive violence in current film repertoire increase the urgency of exploring how we can tell the story of the gospel of peace more effectively.

In this workshop we will first outline the historical context of the composition and performance of the Synoptic Gospels during the Flavian dynasty and the aftermath of the Judean-Roman war. In the last decades of the first century, the dominance of the Roman Empire and the reign of the emperors was proclaimed as the establishment of peace: the pax Romana. An example of this imperial proclamation was the celebrative gladiatorial games in the newly built Coliseum.

Next, we will identify the contrasting portrayal in the Synoptic Gospels of Jesus as the Messiah of peace. What stories and teachings were foundational to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world in the late first century? What stories are foundational for us to tell and teach?

Finally, we will search together to identify some strategies for the proclamation of the Gospel in the current context of the politics of the United States and the global community. What can we do to tell the stories of the Gospel of Peace now?

Tom is the author of Story Journey: An Invitation to the Gospel as Storytelling and The Messiah of Peace: A Performance Criticism Commentary on Mark’s Passion-Resurrection Narrative.

A Guide to Biblical Storytelling for Military Chaplains

From ABS Project to Publication

By Rev. Madelyn Campbell

At the Festival Gathering in August 2018, Madelyn will receive a certificate for completion of the Masters level program of the Academy for Biblical Storytelling. Madelyn is an interim minister for Bull Run Unitarian Universalists in Manassas, Virginia and a chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol.

I’ve recently finished edits to my final project, my learning resource for the master level certification in the Academy for Biblical Storytelling (ABS).  The coursework for this, the books we read, the papers we wrote, were as rigorous as for any graduate course. And because of that, it has prepared me well for all parts of my ministry. I’ve even been able to get credit for this work toward my D.Min. degree.

2017-18 ABS Cohort with Dean Tracy Radosevic

I loved getting to know the other students in my cohort. We supported each other through this journey, and we learned a lot from each other as well. Thanks to them, and also thanks to the fine faculty who devoted time to us, I’ve become, not only a better storyteller, but a better coach and teacher, a better preacher, a better minister all around.

Now I hope to be giving back to the biblical storytelling community. My book “A Guide to Biblical Storytelling For Military Chaplains” should be out in a month or two. I never would have done this without the push from the ABS program.

Translating “The Death Sentence” in Jail

by Amelia Boomershine

Storyboard for “The Death Sentence” created March 28, 2018 in the Montgomery County (Ohio) Jail

In the women’s prison and county jail we have been learning, telling, and otherwise engaging stories from the passion, death, and resurrection narrative according to Mark’s gospel. This mixed media storyboard for “The Death Sentence” (Mark 15:6-15) is pretty amazing, if for no other reason than that it was created in so little time, about eight minutes. The four episodes are depicted in contemporary criminal justice jargon.

Key to the storyboard for Mark 15:6-15

The artist told the story using a dynamic equivalent translation of contemporary criminal justice jargon. Afterwards, she created a key to her storyboard below the story (printed is on the other side of the storyboard document) as shown in the graphic. Here is the key:

F2=Felony of the 2nd degree, which includes attempted murder (Jesus was in prison with those who committed murder during the insurrection)

Testify CI=Criminal Informant, which is someone who testifies against you (the chief priests accused Jesus of many things)

OR=Own Recognizance, when we are released (Barabbas was released)

Innocent=when we are wrongly accused (as was the case with Jesus and Pilate knew it but sentenced him to death anyway).

For more about biblical storytelling with incarcerated men and women visit Amelia’s Circle of the Word site.