A Lent course based on Hamilton?! Review by Charissa King
/The Room Where It Happens: A Lent course based on the musical Hamilton by Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, review by Charissa King.
This short book, The Room Where It Happens, takes its title from one of the dramatic songs included in the smash-hit musical, Hamilton. Bishop Hudson-Wilkin’s book combines biblical and personal insights with reflections on the songs and story of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. As a huge Hamilton fan, I am familiar with the source material and know it to be rich with themes and content from which to meaningfully enrich a Lent course. The author’s enthusiasm for the show is evident from the start, and I imagine that other Hamilton fans will also enjoy her clever lyrical references to the songs.
Bishop Hudson-Wilkin covers five themes which are intended to be explored over five weeks of two-hour sessions in the lead up to Easter. Though the book’s subtitle markets it as being ‘for groups or individuals’, the questions seemed more aimed at groups, though lots of the prayers are written in the first person. Each session uses at least two Bible passages and prayers, and two songs from the musical. The themes are:
· Identity and Belonging
· Ambition and Temptation
· Forgiveness and Redemption
· Love and Sacrifice
· Hope and Courage through Adversity.
I appreciated the reflective nature of the prayers, as well as the anecdotes and stories that the author included from her own life. Her writing encouraged me to discover biblical passages that I wasn’t previously familiar with, as well as to revisit familiar sections of the Bible.
The Love and Sacrifice section worked particularly well, fusing reflections on the greatest commandment and the love of Jesus’ disciples with insights from three different aspects of love shown in the musical: love of power/control (as shown by the King’s song: ‘You’ll be Back’), romantic love (as in ‘Helpless’) and familial love (‘Dear Theodosia’). Brotherly love is also covered in this section, and a clear parallel is made between Jesus’ sacrifice and that of the soldiers and fathers portrayed in Hamilton (‘We’ll bleed and fight for you’).
This book was written during the Covid-19 pandemic and the virus is referenced in the last section (Hope and Courage through Adversity). In explaining how to use the book, the author encourages Lent course leaders to explore any additional questions that may arise. I’d go further and encourage leaders to add their own ideas to the sessions: for example, section one (Identity and Belonging) could include an examination of the pandemic’s impact on group and individual identity, which could link to our ‘belonging’ to God during this ‘wilderness’ time of Lent. Section four, Love and Sacrifice, could include the sacrifice of NHS workers and those who socially distanced in difficult circumstances.
The Bible passages and theological insights are refreshing, and I think that group leaders, ministers and preachers will find them rich with teaching to enjoy. They could also add material that is relevant to their particular church and ministry context.
The Room Where It Happens: A Lent course for groups or individuals based on the musical Hamilton by Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin. Published by Darton, Longman and Todd, 128pp, £6.99, ISBN: 9781913657789.
Please note that Hamilton is currently only available via Disney+ and some clips are available on YouTube.
Charissa King
Charissa is a magazine editor and Christian writer (@cktypes). She previously worked for the United Reformed Church’s magazine, Reform.