Wicked: For Good is ripe for helping Christian families see God’s hand in our relationships

Wicked: For Good hits our cinemas this coming weekend. Michael J Tinker takes a look at the song that closes out the film and suggests reflections on relationships and identity for Christian families

As Christians we often bemoan the me-centred culture of the 21st century West and with good reason. For so long we have been told that rather than being defined by our relationships with those around us we define ourselves in whatever way we choose. To be defined by others is somehow being inauthentic, denying our very selves. It is an entirely self-centred way of understanding ourselves.

But recently I think we’ve started to see this view unravel because, quite simply, it doesn’t work. It has led to so much confusion about identity as we’re left scrabbling around trying to figure it out in isolation. It seems that part of the ‘quiet revival’ is due to people wanting to feel connected to something (and to people) that is deep, meaningful and has history and a story. We know we are not meant to live in isolation either physically or philosophically.

Art has a way of prophetically challenging a culture and speaking to the very core of ourselves - even art made by those who don’t know Jesus

This is not a surprise as the Bible makes it clear that what makes us who we are, indeed what makes us unique individuals, is our ……