Faith and religion are bound together but can be loosened by the unraveling of beliefs, incessant questioning, an internal war that casts doubts and raises discontent. The New Haven Theater Company is urging you to enter their theatrical church and witness the struggle and torment that resides therein as Pastor Paul questions God and the existence of Hell. Until March 8, you are invited to grapple theologically with Lucas Hnath’s involving and gripping “The Christians.”
Join the community where brothers and sisters fill themselves with courage and abandon their fear. Their goal is to find everlasting love in God’s graces. Today is a special day to celebrate the growth of the church, now after twenty years that the mortgage is finally paid off. What started as a fledgling store front with a tiny congregation has blossomed into a magnificent building with a mighty community. At the helm over all these years and achievements is Paster Paul, a well respected and gifted orator in Marty Tucker, with his wife Elizabeth, Susan Kulp. devotedly by his side, aided by Associate Pastor Joshua, Gavin Whelan faithfully echoing the gospel.
Today, Pastor Paul is using the church’s achievement to raise a new message, one that many church peers led by Associate Pastor Joshua vehemently oppose: to question the existence of Hell. To Pastor Paul, God is advocating a happy family in heaven for everyone, including one the likes of a Hitler. Joining Joshua in his opposition are a long time church member Sister Jenny, Margaret Mann, who wants answers to her questions and J., Kevin Smith’s Elder Jay who represents the Church Board.
Follow this crisis of faith, where a boy who doesn’t believe in God rescues his sister from a fire and his fate is questioned, Does he go to Heaven or Hell? Deena Nicol Blifford directs this examination of faith with intense feeling, led by a sincere Pastor Paul and the genuine church members who need answers to hold on to so they won’t be lost souls.
