I
recently watched the popular Broadway musical Hamilton. Honestly, I was
surprised by how deeply I was stirred by it. Especially in the last third of
the play, on several occasions, I found myself moved to tears. I can now understand
why it has been such a sensation. On an artistic level, major themes are woven
masterfully throughout the play. I watched it a second time and noticed this
even more. The play manages to combine the story of a remarkable man in the
middle of historical events of great importance with themes and passion
expressed through the powerful medium of music.
I was
glad that I chose to read the Wikipedia article on Alexander Hamilton before I
watched the musical based on his life. The musical is packed with allusions to
historical events and familiarizing myself with some of that history helped me
appreciate the play more fully. However, many people (probably most) enjoy it
without having much previous knowledge about the real Hamilton and the events
he was part of.
Anyone who
enjoyed Hamilton might have written the two introductory paragraphs above. In
the rest of this blog post I will share some thoughts about Hamilton from a
specifically Christian viewpoint. I will mention two problems with the play and
then discuss four ways in which the play reflects biblical truths.
Two
problems
1. The
Bible exhorts us: “No foul language should come from your mouth” (Eph. 4:29
CSB17). Unfortunately, there is a fair bit of foul language mixed into the lyrics
of Hamilton. In the Disney Plus version that I watched, this has been toned down
to a PG-13 level. In addition to the foul language, there is some suggestive and
somewhat crude dancing. Most of the dancing was not like that, but there is some.
I will say that at least the foul language tends to fit the context where it is
used. Still, the play would have been better off without these elements. I
would recommend that parents watch it first before deciding if you want any
middle school and younger children to watch it with you.
2. The
more serious flaw is that Hamilton’s Christian faith in only mentioned late in
the play. One of the most important things about every person is what they
believe about God and specifically about Jesus, and how they relate to Him.
There is strong evidence that as a young man, Hamilton had a deep and strong Christian
faith. One article I read on this gave this evidence:
One of Hamilton’s
college friends, Robert Troup, testified to his piety. He “was attentive to
public worship, and in the habit of praying on his knees night and morning…. I
have often been powerfully affected by the fervor and eloquence of his prayers…
He had read many of the polemical writers on religious subjects and he was a
zealous believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.
“I confess that the
arguments, with which he was accustomed to justify his belief, have tended in
no small degree to confirm my own faith in revealed religion,” Troup noted
later.
(quoted from: https://godreports.com/2018/06/the-faith-of-alexander-hamilton/
)
Thankfully,
the play does at least briefly(very briefly) mention the cross, prayer, and the
church playing a role in helping Hamilton deal with heartbreaking tragedy later
in his life.
Knowing
that Hamilton had a strong faith as a young man will help viewers understand
the source of some of his strength and courage as he faced many obstacles and
dangers. This is knowledge you have to bring with you, as the play almost
entirely leaves this out and might lead viewers to think that his
accomplishments were a result of his own merely human strength and zeal.
The two
flaws I have mentioned are not trivial. Still, I want to state clearly, that I
think the play is very much worth watching and I do recommend it. Next, I will
share four biblical lessons which, while not framed explicitly as biblical
lessons in the play, are still present. I recommend that Christians who watch
the play discuss these types of lessons (you may notice others) with your
family and friends.
Four
Biblical Truths that are Reflected in Hamilton
1. God
uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes
Praise
God, you don’t have to come from a wealthy family, or be born into privilege and
high status, to be used for glorious purposes in God’s plan:
Brothers and
sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective,
not many powerful, not many of noble birth. (1 Cor. 1:26 CSB17)
Both
the real life story of Alexander Hamilton and the musical reflect this truth.
The first lines of the opening song capture this theme which is then developed
throughout the play:
How does a bastard, orphan, son of a
whore
And a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot
In the Caribbean by providence impoverished
In squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?
And a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot
In the Caribbean by providence impoverished
In squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?
The
Bible is full of stories that reflect this same truth. A man sold into slavery by
his own brothers rises up to become the second most powerful person in Egypt at
the height of its ancient power. A shepherd boy grows up and is chosen over his
older brothers to become a king, and not just a king, but also a prophet and
poet whose words still stir hearts and strengthen souls three thousand years
later. A group of fishermen and a tax collector are called by Jesus to become
His apostles and lead a world changing and humanity saving mission. And today,
God is still doing extraordinary things through ordinary people from humble
backgrounds.
2. It
is good to be zealous and bold for God’s mission
“I’m
not throwing away my shot.” This is perhaps the most memorable line of the
whole musical. It encapsulates Hamilton’s “all in” way of living. Hamilton is
contrasted throughout the play with his friend and nemesis, Aaron Burr. Burr’s
advice to Hamilton early on is, “Talk less, smile more, don’t let them know
what your against or what your for.” But Hamilton can’t live like that. He
doesn’t hold back. He lived wide open. He is passionate about the causes he
believes in. And because of his gift for writing and speaking, he had a large influence
on the nation he helped to found.
Many
Christians could use some more boldness in their witness. A Greek word often
used for this type of bold, clear speaking that is not cowered by threats and
dangers in parresia. The related verb is parresiazomai, and that’s
the name I chose for my blog over four years ago. Here are a few verses where
these words are used:
CSB17 Acts 4:13 When they observed the boldness
(parresia) of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated
and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with
Jesus.
CSB17 Acts 19:8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke
boldly (parresiazomai) over a period of three months, arguing and persuading
them about the kingdom of God.
Hamilton boldly argued for independence and later for the
adoption of the US Constitution. We are called to argue boldly for the truth of
the gospel and God’s word. This holy boldness is not obnoxious or harsh. But it
is clear and courageous. Where can we get such boldness, such parresia?
One biblical answer is that it comes through prayer:
CSB17 Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, consider their
threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness
(parresia)
CSB17 Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that the
message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness
(parresia) the mystery of the gospel.
May God grant us His boldness. And may He give us a heart
like the Apostle Paul’s, who was fully dedicated to God’s mission:
CSB17 Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no
value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace.
Don’t throw away your shot!
#3 Be
on guard against temptation and traps of the devil
Alexander
Hamilton falls into sin. He engages in an adulterous affair and that leads to
him paying extortion. He is then backed into a corner and publicly admits his
sin, creating the first major American political sex scandal.
One of
the strengths of the musical is that it makes Hamilton’s adultery appear to be
both tempting and very wrong. We can understand why he is vulnerable and the
attraction of this sin. But at no point does the sin look anything other than
sinful and wrong. And the play shows something that Hollywood rarely does: the
devastating effects of Hamilton’s sin in his own life and for his wife.
This
part of Hamilton works as a reminder that we should all head this biblical
warning:
CSB17 2 Peter 3:17
Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so
that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own
stable position.
There are many ways to apply the broad command to “be on
your guard.” I want to highlight one way Hamilton could have and should have
used to keep his guard up. When a young, attractive lady shows up at Hamilton’s
door and she is in distress (or claims to be), it’s not wrong for him to help
her. But he should not have tried to help her by himself. His wife was out of
town, but Hamilton should have called on any responsible, godly neighbor or
friend to go with him to help the young lady. He went by himself and fell into
sin that caused great damage. Not ministering to people of the opposite sex
alone is a principle myself and many Christians wisely follow (Billy Graham set
a good example in this area). This is a principle I have followed in my own
ministry. As a minister of the gospel and a representative of Christ, I want to
be available to help whoever I can however I can with the love and truth of
Christ. I don’t want to exclude young women from those I am willing to minister
to. But, I never minister to or with young women alone, and certainly not in a
private setting. For example, when a high school girl showed up at my door
seeking help one evening while my wife was at work, I IMMEDIATELY called a
godly, somewhat older lady in our church family and asked her to come over. She
came right away and we did what we could to help our neighbor.
Your area of temptation may be different. Whatever the
nature of the temptation, I pray you will “be on your guard.”
#4 The
difficulty, beauty, and power of forgiveness
The
musical portrays how deeply Hamilton’s wife, Eliza, is hurt by his adulterous
affair. Forgiveness of deep hurts and betrayal is not easy, and the play does
not make it look easy. But, in one of the most moving moments of a drama full
of moving moments, Eliza does forgive him. And Hamilton appears to be truly and
deeply repentant. Forgiveness is not easy, but it is Christlike. Eliza’s love and
forgiveness is a portrait of this verse put into action:
CSB17 Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God's
chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if
anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you
are also to forgive.
By the end of this moving musical, it is Eliza’s love, devotion
and goodness that is shining most brightly.
A Lot More
This short blog post has really just scratched the
surface of the rich material in Hamilton. I pray that God will use it for good.
I pray that God’s Spirit will remind many who watch it that all of Hamilton’s
greatest themes are rooted in God’s Word. And I pray that God will stir those
who watch it to trust that God can use anyone who trusts Him, no matter how
humble their background. May the Lord empower us all by His Spirit to live out a
holy boldness that speaks up for God’s truth, to be on guard against sin, and
to be ready to forgive as Christ has forgiven us.
If you would like to read more, here are
some related blog posts:
A two minute video of my own mediocre attempt to put some
of God’s truth into rap-form:
A blog
post about resisting temptation:
A
related blog post about “the Billy Graham Rule”:
Some other
blog posts where I share thoughts related to popular media:
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .
Thanks for your article, Mark. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments, and biblical perspective on important issues of lif .
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