Joseph, Part 3: Not Just Any Will Do

Preparing for a community theatre production takes a lot of time, so it's hard to do that, keep up with work and home, and still blog every once in a while. But there are several things about the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat" that have been bugging me that I just have to write about. This is the third issue I am taking up. I think there will just be one more after this.

One of the songs from the show is called "Any Dream Will Do." I've been trying to figure out what it means, particularly by its title line that is repeated many times throughout the song. The best I can figure is that the authors are trying to say that it doesn't really matter what your motivation is, what is important is that you are moving forward. Another song, called "Go Go Go Joseph," encourages Joseph as he goes through his many difficulties to hang in there and not give up.

I think these two songs really represent the message of the show. And that message is, it doesn't really matter what drives you, it just matters that you are driven and don't give up. So, assuming that Joseph was driven to keep going based on these dreams of stars and golden sheaves, it didn't matter, according to the musical, that the dreams were from God, or if they were pagan words of encouragement.

So what we see is that there are two related philosophies being promoted. First of all, "Any Dream Will Do" in particular pushes the idea of pluralism, that Christianity, Eastern philosophy, New Age religion, Islam, etc., are all equally valid. It doesn't really matter which one you pick, just take one. For instance, this article points out the the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the Qur'an all share the same principles of loving one God and loving our neighbors. The differences, they go on to say, are theological, as if to imply that somehow theology is to some degree insignificant. And that thought establishes the close relationship between pluralism and this next idea.

The second philosophy that lurks around in these songs is that of pragmatism, that the important thing is not how you get to the end, the important thing is getting to a good end. Within the larger context, we see pragmatism stressed when people compare religions. As in the previous article, they will say there is no difference between the peace-loving devout Muslim and the peace-loving devout Christian. But even within the smaller context of Protestant Christianity, we see how doctrine, how truth, is being cast aside go with what "works." Here is a web site with several resources that point out some of the things churches are doing and what the problem might be with those things. John MacArthur in particular has some important things to say about pragmatism.

The Biblical story of Joseph is really not a story about Joseph following his dreams through rough times to eventual glory, but about Joseph following God. It mattered where the dreams came from; not just any dream would do. Joseph's story is an inspiration not because of all the wealth, fame, power, etc., he gained at the end, but because of how he followed God throughout and didn't abandon God when it didn't seem like God was "working." Joseph is a story of well-placed and consistent faith. I certainly don't wish for the trials of Joseph, but whatever comes, may I live a life of faith like Joseph's.