From Anger to Love: Healing Through Connection

Summary

Sweeney Todd, a story of horror and vengeance, offers a profound reflection on the human experience of pain, anger, and the temptation toward hatred. The narrative follows Benjamin Barker, a man who, after suffering immense injustice and loss, is consumed by a desire for revenge. His transformation into Sweeney Todd, the infamous "Demon Barber of Fleet Street," is not just a descent into violence, but a cautionary tale about what happens when righteous anger is left unprocessed and allowed to curdle into hatred. The world that crushes and dehumanizes Barker is not unlike the systems of oppression and injustice that persist today, and his story invites us to examine our own responses to suffering and wrong.

Scripture from Ephesians reminds us that anger itself is not sinful; rather, we are called to be angry without sinning, to not let anger fester and become a foothold for evil. The challenge is to hold our anger in the context of love, refusing to let it isolate us or destroy our capacity for connection and creativity. The teachings of Jesus, as explored by theologian Howard Thurman, speak directly to those who have been dehumanized and oppressed. Thurman recognizes that hatred can feel like a creative survival strategy, a way to reclaim dignity in the face of injustice. Yet, he warns that hatred ultimately destroys the spirit of the hater, leading to isolation and the death of the soul.

Sweeney Todd’s journey is a vivid illustration of this truth. His fixation on vengeance blinds him to opportunities for new connection and healing. Even when presented with the chance to build new relationships, he cannot perceive them, so consumed is he by his hatred. In the end, his quest for justice through violence leads only to more destruction, including the loss of his own humanity.

The invitation, then, is to examine where anger may be curdling into hatred within ourselves, especially when that anger is justified by real harm. We are called to meet those wounded places with compassion, to resist the temptation to use hatred as a foundation for our identity, and to choose the path of love—not only for the sake of our enemies, but for the sake of our own souls. Jesus, who himself was dehumanized and oppressed, chose connection and love, even in the face of profound injustice. This is the miracle and the challenge: to be angry without sinning, to root ourselves in creative, life-giving love, and to remember our shared humanity.

Key Takeaways

- Anger is a valid and even necessary response to injustice, but it must be held within the context of love and not allowed to fester into hatred. Scripture does not forbid anger, but warns against letting it become a foothold for evil, reminding us that unprocessed anger can be spiritually corrosive. [13:44]

- Hatred, especially for those who have been systematically dehumanized, can feel like a creative survival strategy—a way to reclaim dignity and self-worth. However, as Howard Thurman teaches, hatred ultimately isolates and destroys the spirit of the hater, cutting us off from connection, creativity, and our own humanity. [54:19]

- The story of Sweeney Todd illustrates how even justified pain and righteous anger, if left unprocessed, can transform a victim into a perpetrator. The cycle of violence and vengeance does not bring healing or justice, but instead perpetuates destruction and loss, including the loss of one’s own soul. [58:05]

- Jesus’ command to love our enemies is not a denial of the reality of oppression or harm, but a radical invitation to choose life and connection over the death-dealing power of hatred. This teaching is not about excusing injustice, but about refusing to let hatred define us or dictate our actions, even when we have every reason to hate. [56:36]

- The path of healing and resistance is not to deny anger or the reality of harm, but to meet our woundedness with compassion and to root ourselves in community, creativity, and love. Communion, ritual, and connection are ways to remember our humanity and to resist the dehumanizing forces of the world, choosing to come alive in the love of God and one another. [01:21:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Introducing Sweeney Todd and the Gospel Series
[03:10] - Ephesians: Anger and Transformation
[06:45] - The Command to Be Angry Without Sinning
[09:30] - Sweeney Todd’s Origin: Benjamin Barker’s Story
[15:20] - The Descent into Vengeance and Violence
[20:55] - Sweeney Todd as Social Commentary
[25:40] - Howard Thurman and the Disinherited
[32:07] - Jesus’ Teachings for the Oppressed
[49:24] - The Nature and Function of Hatred
[55:12] - Hatred as a Survival Strategy
[56:36] - The Destructive Power of Hatred
[59:01] - Isolation and the Loss of Connection
[01:01:49] - Examining Our Own Anger and Woundedness
[01:21:45] - Communion: Remembering Our Humanity
[01:24:13] - Closing and Invitation to the Table

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Sweeney Todd, Anger, and the Path of Love

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### Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:22-27 (ESV)
“…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 4, what does it mean to “put off your old self” and “put on the new self”?
2. What instructions does Paul give about anger in this passage?
3. In the sermon, what was the turning point for Benjamin Barker that led him to become Sweeney Todd? [[09:30]]
4. How does the sermon describe the world that “crushes and dehumanizes” people, both in Sweeney Todd’s story and in our own? [[20:55]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The passage says, “Be angry and do not sin.” What might it look like to be angry without sinning, especially when facing real injustice?
2. The sermon suggests that anger can “curdle” into hatred if left unprocessed. What are some signs that anger is turning into hatred in a person’s life? [[01:01:49]]
3. Howard Thurman describes hatred as a “creative survival strategy” for the oppressed. Why might hatred feel like a way to reclaim dignity, and what are the dangers of this approach? [[54:19]]
4. How does Sweeney Todd’s story illustrate the consequences of letting anger and pain go unprocessed? [[58:05]]

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### Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you felt deep anger because of something unfair or unjust. How did you respond? Did you process that anger, or did it linger? What effect did it have on you? [[13:44]]
2. The sermon warns that hatred can isolate us and destroy our spirit. Are there places in your life where anger has started to isolate you from others or from God? What would it look like to meet that anger with compassion instead? [[59:01]]
3. Howard Thurman says that hatred can feel like a way to survive and reclaim self-worth, but it ultimately “destroys the spirit of the hater.” Have you ever seen this play out in your own life or in someone else’s? What could have helped break that cycle? [[56:36]]
4. Jesus chose connection and love even when he was dehumanized and oppressed. What are some practical ways you can choose connection and love this week, especially in situations where you feel wronged? [[01:03:43]]
5. The sermon invites us to examine where our anger may be “curdling” into hatred. Is there a specific relationship or situation where you sense this happening? What is one step you could take to process your anger in a healthy way? [[01:01:49]]
6. Communion and community are described as ways to “remember our humanity” and resist dehumanizing forces. What practices help you stay rooted in your own humanity and the humanity of others? How can you make space for these practices this week? [[01:21:45]]
7. The story of Sweeney Todd is a warning about the cost of letting pain and anger define us. What would it look like for you to “choose the path of love” in a place where you have been hurt? What support or community do you need to help you do this? [[01:03:43]]

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Closing Thought:
Jesus’ invitation is not to deny anger or the reality of harm, but to meet our woundedness with compassion and to root ourselves in love and community. As you reflect this week, where is God inviting you to choose life and connection over hatred and isolation?

Devotional

Day 1: Be Angry Without Sinning

Anger is a natural and even necessary response to injustice, but we are called to hold our anger in a way that does not lead us into sin or destruction. The challenge is not to suppress or deny anger, but to process it honestly and compassionately, refusing to let it curdle into hatred or bitterness that can consume our souls. When anger is left unchecked, it can become a foothold for evil, isolating us from others and from God, and leading us down paths we never intended to walk. Instead, we are invited to confront our anger, to meet it with compassion, and to seek transformation through Christ, who shows us a different way. [07:40]

Ephesians 4:22-27 (ESV)
"to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."

Reflection: Where in your life has anger begun to curdle or fester? How can you meet that anger with compassion today, rather than letting it isolate or consume you?


Day 2: The Destructive Power of Hatred

Hatred, even when born from real pain and injustice, ultimately destroys the one who harbors it. While hatred can feel like a source of strength or validation in the face of dehumanization, it isolates us from others, blinds us to the value of ourselves and our neighbors, and starves our souls of the creativity and connection we were made for. The story of Sweeney Todd is a cautionary tale: when we allow our pain to turn into hatred, we risk losing our very humanity, becoming agents of the same destruction that wounded us. [57:18]

1 John 2:9-11 (ESV)
"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

Reflection: Is there a place in your heart where hatred or resentment has taken root? What would it look like to begin releasing it, even if your pain is justified?


Day 3: Love Your Enemies for the Sake of Your Soul

Jesus’ command to love our enemies is not just for their benefit, but for the preservation of our own souls. In a world that often devalues and dehumanizes, it is tempting to respond with hatred, but Jesus shows us that true life and connection are found in choosing love, even when it is costly. Loving our enemies does not mean agreeing with injustice or harm, but it means refusing to let hatred define us or dictate our actions. In loving, we affirm our own humanity and remain open to the creative, life-giving work of God within us. [01:00:52]

Matthew 5:43-45 (ESV)
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Reflection: Who is someone you struggle to love or forgive? What is one small, concrete step you can take today to move toward love, even if it feels impossible?


Day 4: Reclaiming Humanity Through Connection and Community

When we are wounded or oppressed, it is easy to withdraw or become fixated on our pain, but healing and wholeness are found in reconnecting with others and with God. Jesus modeled this by sharing meals, telling stories, and inviting all to the table, even in the face of betrayal and violence. We are invited to root ourselves in practices of connection, presence, and community, remembering our belovedness and the belovedness of those around us. In doing so, we resist the forces that would dehumanize us and instead come alive to the beauty and goodness God has placed within and among us. [01:22:23]

Romans 12:9-13 (ESV)
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally connect with someone in your community this week—through a meal, a conversation, or an act of kindness—to remind yourself and them of your shared humanity?


Day 5: Choosing Creative Survival Over Destructive Retaliation

In the face of injustice and dehumanization, we are tempted to respond with retaliation or to let our pain define us, but God calls us to a different kind of survival—one that is creative, life-affirming, and rooted in love. We can acknowledge the reality of our wounds and the systems that harm us, but we are invited to reject hatred as our foundation and instead build our lives on compassion, justice, and the creative power of God’s love. This is not easy, but it is the path to true freedom and wholeness. [01:04:32]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: When you feel wronged or overlooked, what would it look like to choose a creative, loving response instead of retaliation or withdrawal? How might you practice this today?

Quotes

Despite all the positive psychological attributes of hatred we have outlined. I'm just going to repeat that phrase. Despite all the positive aspects, positive psychological attributes of hatred we have outlined, hatred destroys finally the core of the life of the hater. While it lasts burning in white heat, its effect seems positive and dynamic. But at last it turns to ash. For it guarantees a final isolation from one's fellows. It blinds the individual to all values of worth. Even as they apply to himself and his fellows. Hatred bears deadly and bitter fruit. [00:56:31] (46 seconds)  #HatredDestroysTheHater Edit Clip

So Howard Thurman's take. Jesus rejected hatred because he saw that hatred meant death to the mind, death to the spirit, death to communion with the Father. Jesus affirmed life. And hatred is the great denial. The teaching to love our enemies is not about our enemies alone. An eye for an eye doesn't just leave the whole world blind. It destroys the soul. [01:00:49] (35 seconds)  #JesusRejectsHatred Edit Clip

So when the scriptures say, don't give the devil a foothold, this is an extreme. This is a horror story. This is a fable about what happens to us. What happens to human beings. When, as righteous victims of violence and oppression, as the people actually harmed, when we cannot hold our anger in the context of love, not only will that come out as engaging in the same patterns of violence, but it will destroy our very souls. [01:01:34] (40 seconds)  #DangerOfUnprocessedAnger Edit Clip

So the invitation today, from Sweeney Todd, from Howard Thurman, from the scriptures, is to examine your heart. Where has your anger begun to curdle? Where is there no softness in your spirit? Meet that part of yourself with deep compassion, especially if it comes from you being genuinely and systematically wronged. Have you been dehumanized? Have you been denied your true value and worth? Meet that part of you with deep and abiding compassion. And protect the rest of your soul. Do not give the devil a foothold. [01:02:14] (52 seconds)  #CompassionOverCurdledAnger Edit Clip

Because you can be honest. You can deny the judgment of the world that you are less than. Without using hatred as a stepping stone towards your self -realization. But it is tricky business. And I would imagine that many of us who have been through any kind of violence, any kind of systemic oppression, any kind of moral injury, have a lot of draws, a lot of good reasons to let that anger curdle into hate. So meet that with compassion. And then make another choice. [01:03:06] (42 seconds)  #ChoosingConnectionOverHatred Edit Clip

Know that Jesus is there with you. That Jesus was dehumanized. That Jesus was systematically denied his value, his sense of connection. And he chose connection over and over again. It didn't mean agreeing with the system of harm. It meant fighting it. It meant being angry without sinning. There are no easy lessons here. But we would be negligent if we looked at Sweeney Todd and didn't see a little of ourselves as well. [01:03:48] (36 seconds)  #RootedInLoveAndConnection Edit Clip

If the ways of sin lead to the death of our humanity, if the ways of sin lead to destruction over creation, how then do we root ourselves in the creative, life -giving, humanizing love of Jesus? Choosing the ways of Jesus means reminding our bodies over and over again of connection, of love, of community, of beauty and joy. It doesn't mean denying our anger by any stretch. But it means approaching our anger and rage, approaching injustice with a deep rootedness in connection to all things, the humanity of our very souls and the goodness of God. [01:18:09] (55 seconds)  #HumanityAtTheCore Edit Clip

If you've ever been told that you don't belong at this table, we simply disbelieve that. There's nothing you need to do to earn your place at the table of communion. We practice something called Open table here. It means that if you have any desire or curiosity, any inkling to come participate and eat and drink in this ritual, we take that curiosity, that inkling as evidence that God has invited you here today. And if you want it, there is a seat at this table for you to connect back in to your humanity, your belovedness, the beauty given to you by God, and to see that belovedness and beauty in the people around you, in the world of you around you, in the kingdom emerging, in the liberation coming and now, and to live into freedom through that love, to lay down hatred, and to know that your humanity stands on so much more. [01:20:46] (58 seconds) Edit Clip