This Is My Favorite.
Also: why Kendall wasn't free and whether Ireland celebrates Halloween
Hello! Hope you’re well. Here’s the latest:
MY FAVORITE EPISODE.
Well I just couldn’t be more excited to share with you this week’s episode of Holy Ghost Stories. It’s all kinds of spooky and moving, immersive and unsettling—everything you’ve come to expect from HGS. In fact, this story in Scripture is one I’ve been looking forward to telling since the beginning of this podcast. This tale has it all: a king leading his troops into an epic battle, a prophet bringing unwelcome truth, a bonafide witch, an eerie seance, a ghost, a heart-rending death on the battlefield—and through it all, a man wrestling with God in all the wrong ways.
I present to you “The Lion, the Witch, and the War Zone”—the story of King Saul’s trip to the Witch of Endor.
With an original score by incredibly talented composer and cellist Kendall Ramseur, no less.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I reached out to Kendall about licensing some of his existing music for HGS and was thrilled when he actually emailed me back. (He’s big time, you guys.) But when he messaged me, he said he’d listened to an episode of Holy Ghost Stories, loved it, and wanted to FaceTime. (I was freaking out.) By the end of that conversation, we’d decided to collaborate on a future episode—I’d write and narrate the script, and he’d compose and record an original score. (I was beyond freaking out at this point.)
Long story short, we’ve been working together since May on this episode for you. I’m pleased with the writing and thrilled with the score Kendall created—it’s beautiful and haunting and evocative…I guess the best compliment I can give it is this: the score does this incredible Old Testament story justice.
I thought it’d be fun and interesting for Kendall and I to sit down for a conversation about what it was like to tell this story together, so that’s what we did. In this video, we chat about our process, about the hardest scenes of the episode to compose (in his case) or write (in my case), and our favorite parts. Enjoy!
A few tidbits about this episode:
SCRIPT STUFF
I heard a film critic say once that “ghost stories are often about obsession—about the cost of getting what you want.” This, then, is a ghost story in every sense.
Fear is such a big part of this story. Not once, not twice, but three times in the text, Saul is described as “terrified.” The beginning was the toughest part for me to write (I talk about why in the video above if you’re interested).
The likely setting of this seance was new to me and a fascinating thing to consider: The expression translated “witch of Endor” suggests originally “owner of a pit” from which a spirit would be conjured up. This woman had a certain place, connected to a ritual pit or grave (Sheol) where she employed her trade at night. By semantic extension the pit from which the spirit was conjured becomes associated with the spirit itself, and even the medium. (For a deep dive, see Harry A. Hoffner Jr., “Second Millennium Antecedents to the Hebrew ’Ôb,” Journal of Biblical Literature 86 (1967): 401.)
Sadly, there is no connection between this place and the other Endor. Honestly, an Ewok really could have lightened the mood.
Who saw/heard what? Based upon the witch's claim to have seen something, and Saul having heard a disembodied voice, an 11th century Jewish midrash suggests that necromancers are able to see the spirits of the dead but are unable to hear their speech, while the person for whom the deceased was summoned hears the voice but fails to see anything.
You may know that King James (yes that one) wrote a treatise on Demonology (Daemonologoie, 1597). In it, James describes the witch of Endor as “Saul's Pythonese,” likening her to Pythia from the Greek mythology of Python and the Oracle.
As I envisioned Saul dining with the witch, this passage came strongly to mind: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” 1 Cor 10:21. There are certianly echoes in this scene not just of communion, but of Passover—a meal of unleavened bread eaten at night, followed by the death of the firstborn…
Thought this was really interesting from Stephen Dempster: “Saul, whose name means “the asked for one,” asks about the future from the place of the dead—Sheol. This word means “the asking place,” perhaps because death is always asking for more. The irony is that the asking place will soon have its request (“the asked for one”) fulfilled. Saul and Sheol are inseparably linked.”
SCORE STUFF
You’ll hear at least two different leitmotifs as you listen to this episode—one representing King Saul (usually played on the cello) and one representing the witch (usually played on the glockenspiel), both of which evolve over the course of the episode. (There’s a point at which Saul’s familiar lone cello motif is moved down an octave, signifying his spiritual descent; also listen for the witch’s motif to be transformed at the very end of the story.) It’s so well done by Kendall—some truly advanced storytelling I’m thrilled to incorporate into Holy Ghost Stories.
As Saul’s visit with the witch begins, there’s a sort of squeaking sound (created by Kendall by way of an extended technique on his cello) that repeats again at the end of the seance as Saul collapses. I love this because it sounds to me like a creepy merry-go-round on a deserted/haunted playground and works to signify the eddy current of disobedience in which Saul’s placed himself. He’s been here before. He can’t seem to escape.
There’s a crash/boom sound you’ll hear strategically placed throughout the story. See if you can trace the theme.
At one point, Kendall incorporated the sound of bones. Bones! Perfect.
VISUAL STUFF
Unsurprisingly, this story has long fascinated artists. Here are a few striking pieces (most from the 16th/17th century—click the image for specific links) that helped both Kendall and myself as we meditated on the text:
I feel like Saul’s behavior is a convicting commentary on the lengths to which we’ll go to get (on our own terms) what God freely offers (on His terms). He could have been so much more. He could have done so much more. He could have known (and enjoyed) Yahweh so much more deeply. Alas.
As I said, I’m so very excited to share this episode with you. I hope it gives you an immersive experience with a story that’s important to your Father, and I hope it haunts you in all the best ways.
(Do share it with someone, would you? Texted podcast episode recommendations from friends always make my face light up—I bet your friends might be the same.)
DID KENDALL DO THIS FOR FREE?
Nope.
Artists gotta eat.
And frankly, paying him for this project (though it was a stretch financially), was a great privilege. Kendall, you see, is not only an incredible talent but a devoted follower of Jesus. He’s achieved impressive levels as a musician, but this was the first time he was able to work on something that explicitly communicated his faith. And he loved it.
What a joy to have been able to provide him with that opportunity.
LIVE Q&A
Patrons of HGS! I have something very special for you: Kendall and I are doing a live Q&A where you can ask us questions about this episode, about the score you heard, about what it was like to do this together or how we went about it—whatever you want to know.
It’s happening the evening of Thursday October 28, at 8pm Central, 9 Eastern—right on Patreon, just for patrons—so mark your calendar, set an alarm, and hey—if you’re not a patron yet, come on! You’ll love interacting with Kendall (he’s a delight), and you’ll love knowing that you’re making it possible for this podcast to reach people around the world.
THE HALLOWEEN CAPITAL OF EUROPE
Being big fans of Halloween (you know—the dressing up and the spooky-fun-Fall vibes, not the devil-worshippy stuff), we Gerhardts were hoping that folks over here in Ireland celebrate this holiday and that our kids (barely still young enough to get one or two more years of trick-or-treat in) would be able to jump into some kind of festivities.
You can imagine, then, how happy we were to discover that Derry bills itself as the Halloween Capital of Europe. That’s right: a huge parade, weekend-long events, and a gigantic fireworks show over the River Foyle await us. Yesssssss.
Not only that, we’ve met some wondeful folks at church and the kids already have an invitation to join a friend or two for trick-or-treating. Amazing.
The annual tradition of a Gerhardt Family Costume Theme will find its manifestation this year in a motif apropos for nomads like us: Aliens. I’ve procured a purple wig and look forward to making Stanley Hauerwas proud.
LET’S JOIN FORCES
Finally, a quick word about Holy Ghost Stories, and specifically, the investment this episode required. For a long time, we've criticized the bulk of modern Christian storytelling, bemoaning its poor quality, its anemic artistry, its tepid impact on our hearts.
But for too long, too few of us have invested in changing that reality.
I created Holy Ghost Stories as an offering—me giving whatever I could as a contribution to good Kingdom storytelling. Doing this required giving up a healthy paycheck, leaving our house, selling our cars, and more.
But it wasn't painful, and it wasn't terrifying. If God's leading, the journey—challenging as it may be—is full of joy. And this one certainly has been.
I believe in this project. I believe in the old stories and their inimitable power to shape us and reorient us and give us moments with our Father.
When I brought the imminently talented Kendall Ramseur on to create an original score for this episode, I did it because these stories deserve that kind of attention to detail, that kind of artistry, that kind of investment.
I did it because I didn't want to complain about bad Christian art. I wanted to make good Christian art.
I hadn't launched Patreon at that time. There was no income. There was only calling. But calling is always enough. In the following, we find everything we need.
And slowly but surely, Yahweh—as I follow him in this—is using a group of you to ensure the future of HGS. Right now, there are 149 people who've come alongside me as patrons. 149 people who've decided they'd like to be a part of impacting people by telling the best stories in compelling ways.
If the patronage of HGS continues to grow, I'll be able to keep creating this podcast.
And maybe… Maybe, if enough folks decide to join this band of merry men and women, we'll get to hear another one of Yahweh's most cherished stories told alongside incredible music that's never before existed. Music that was created just for that story; just to express the joy or the heartache or the mystery or the wonder of a moment when Yahweh came close.
I sure would love to be a part of another one of those moments.
Wouldn't you?
If so, you can make it happen; all it takes is patronage.
I’m gathering patrons right now to ensure that HGS continues into a third season and beyond. Who knows if we’ll get there, but I’d be over the moon if we could build this tribe to 200 before Season 2 comes to an end.
Sure would be cool if you jumped in.
4 COOL THINGS
A Flying Car - Okay, guys—you can buy this right now. 11-year-old Justin is puuuuummmmmmped.
The Moon Is Leaving Us - Each year, the moon is an inch and a half further from the earth. This piece in the Atlantic explores why and how long the exodus will take. I hope Jesus comes back before then.
Look to Love - In 6 days, this extraordinary book will make its way into the world. If you want to love God but aren’t sure how, you should read this. If you want to like reading the Bible but have trouble engaging, you should read this. It’s full of stories, full of wisdom, and full of life-changing glimpses of Yahweh through the pages of Scripture. You’re going to love it.
Lessons from the Screenplay - I love movies, but I might love watching thoughtful videos about movies even more. Weird. Anyway, LFTS is one of my go-to’s. A great resource for any storyteller and a fun watch for any cinephile.
That’s the latest! Have you listened to “The Lion, the Witch, and the War Zone” yet?? If so, let me know what you thought; I love hearing from you guys.
See you Thursday night, patrons!
Gratefully,
Justin
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