Rigoletto: Can an Opera Reveal the Meaning of Life? (Open Forum)
Tim Keller | April 27, 2008
Overview
Open Forums are specifically designed for skeptics or those wrestling with the claims of Christianity. Each Open Forum included a brief concert by guest artists followed by a talk and open mic Q&A with Timothy Keller. This audio recording includes the talk only.
Outline
1. He makes his daughter the most important thing in his life
There’s a common idea, shared by many cultures and religions, that if you love anything more than you love God, it can lead to bad outcomes. This idea is shown in the opera Rigoletto. The main character’s extreme love for his daughter ends up hurting her. This type of love, even though it may seem good, can actually be harmful. It shows us that anything you love more than God can end up being destroyed or causing harm.
2. He takes over God’s role as the only one who can judge
The desire for revenge and taking on the role of judging others can actually hurt yourself. This idea can be found in many stories. Holding onto anger and enjoying when bad things happen to others can hurt you more, leading to bitterness, mistrust, and bad choices. Wise people have always known that these harmful attitudes can cause you to miss out on good things and lead to personal problems.
3. He wants to be part of the popular group
In the story Rigoletto, the main character isn’t bad because he’s different or left out. Instead, his desire to be part of the popular group leads him to make bad choices. The fear of being left out can lead to mistakes, but there’s hope in the story of Jesus. Jesus was left out to save all of us. A good life comes from loving God the most and letting Him be the one to judge.
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