A Statue of Jesus That Will Make You Laugh

This statue of Jesus has made its rounds on the internet in the last while, and I've seen some pretty funny jokes attached to it. This concept of attaching a sort-of "one-liner" to an image has become an internet phenomenon known as meming (the image is called a meme). There have been some funny pictures saying things like, "Need an ark? I Noah guy." When you attach a joke like that to a statue that looks like this, you can't help but laugh. I find this image very amusing, and it seems to lighten up the attitude we often have of Christ.

This statue gives us the perception of Jesus being laid back and easy going. It also shows us a possibility of Jesus having a sense of humor, which is actually healthy. Being someone who values good humor, I do appreciate the emotion evoked from this statue. While it could lead to a certain sense of irreverence, I do believe that when one has a balanced view of Christ, this is a great way to laugh.

Since these images have circulated the internet quite thoroughly, and I'm sure many people have been introduced to them in some way or another, it's a great conversation starter. Especially given the light-hearted nature of the image, it would be really easy to even begin a conversation based on a joke that someone has attached to the image. While this statue was perhaps made, and even adapted by the internet, with a sense of mockery, we can easily take it and use it to our benefit. After all, if we are made in God's image, and Jesus became man, would not humor be a valid and shared experience of us all?

Did You Know Jesus Was... American AND Republican?

American's have a long history of idolizing their nation, and as it turns out, they are even willing to go as far as making Jesus into their own image. Americans are a funny breed of people (of course, I am speaking in terms of a "sweeping statement"). They claim that their foundations are built upon the Bible, and therefore, everything American must be Christocentric... right? Well, as it turns out, a lot of what America prides itself on is actually the opposite of what Christ envisioned. A capitalist economy which prides itself on making the rich richer at the expense of the poor; a strange hunger for war; always going bigger, better, faster--leading to most Americans actually being obese; and of course, the abuse of freedoms which are actually leading to the degradation of human development. Now, of course, most conservatives do not side with things like same-sex marriage or abortion, but nonetheless, they are part of what is become the moral fabric of America.

Republicans, arguably more so than any other political party, pride themselves on their Republican economic structure. While Jesus Himself did not establish an economic system, I do believe that some principles were made quite clear. Things like: clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the jailed, take care of the widows and orphans, and so on. Now I understand that these things are ultimately the Church's mandate, and not the responsibility of the government (especially with all the corruption that has involved our tax dollars), but if a nation claims to be Christian, should not everything then flow from a Christian worldview? This leaves us with two options. 1) America's claim at being a "Christian" nation is actually a desperate attempt at justifying their actions, or 2) America is not actually a Christian nation. There is nothing wrong with the latter, just be honest with us. If you want to have an economic system that allows for the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer, then fine. It is not the nation's mandate to follow biblical principles, especially when the church has done such a poor job at doing it herself. Here in a Socialist nation (Canada), we depend on the government to take our tax dollars and do those things for us, which those with a Capitalist mindset would call "theft." I do agree to a certain extent, but if you are allowed to keep your tax dollars (especially as a wealthy individual), as a Christian, you should fulfill your biblical mandate.

When it comes to war, I do respect America for fighting for human rights and freedoms worldwide. This a position they have been thrust into by the UN, but nonetheless, they are responsible for their actions. With that being said, there is an unhealthy pride that comes with their military endeavors, to the point of glorifying war. This, I believe, is not healthy. Again, if you choose this, just admit you are not a Christian nation, and all is well.

Finally, obesity. While this is a touchy subject, I will just address the issue of gluttony. America is known as gluttony-central. While I will admit that most people are obese due to poor eating habits (and really poor food quality), that does not negate the amount of food Americans have. Again, the gluttonous nature of America is actually condemned in the Bible, especially in light of not taking care of the poor. This argument is very basic, and would require a much more thorough fleshing out, but I will leave it at that.

The point is, Jesus is not American, and quite frankly, I do not believe that He agrees with much of America's values. I find it rather insulting, to be quite honest, to attach Jesus to a nation, especially one that is known for the things listed above. I do not believe that Jesus would identify proudly as an American, and I don't think He would identify as a Republican either.

When Ignorance Leads to Blasphemy

Recently, the Christian community has become the focal point of ridicule at the hands, or rather, the camera of a very presumptuous and outspoken vlogger named Joshua Feuerstein. Joshua, who is a Oneness Pentecostal, has become an internet sensation with his loud-mouthed, obnoxious and highly uninformed videos which have circulated over social media over the past few years. He has been the source of much ridicule and much annoyance on the part of Christians and unbelievers alike.

Recently, he has raised one of his most ridiculous controversies to date. He made a video ranting about how Starbucks has declared a war on Christmas by removing any graphics from their Christmas cups and left them only a plain red color. Honestly, you can't make this stuff up. He was invited onto CNN, and utterly embarrassed. Christians have been in an uproar, combating the nonsensical musings of Feuerstein and those who agree with him. All this, because he decided to make a video ranting about Starbucks' choice to make their Christmas cups plain red. Yes, this is the sad state of what we have become. We are bored, pitiful, and just downright stupid.

This is not what I want to focus on though. A comic artist, who also has a respectable following on social media, who goes by the name The Oatmeal, has come up with a graphical response to Feuerstein and the other anti-sensible Christians who have taken his side. In a very satirical manner, he has come up with a response to appease these "Christian bigots." His response? Photoshopping the Starbucks mermaid (or siren?) to be crucified on a cross with a look of horror on her face. This is a clear mockery of Christ, which is not surprising given that he is an avowed atheist who uses his platform to mock Christianity in toto. His response is offensive, graphical, and downright blasphemous, though I did not expect much else from his depravity. Feuerstein and his followers have set themselves up for ridicule, and those who are just waiting to jump on every opportunity have taken it.

Of course, redemption begins with opposing Feuerstein and actually being rational and sensible on dealing with this matter. First of all, the Church is the one who is supposed to "keep Christ in Christmas" and to promote the Gospel, not some secular (and very secular, might I add) corporation. Secondly, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Starbucks' choice of using a red cup, as red is one of the many colors of Christmas. Thirdly, Starbucks never had anything Christ-related on their products, so how on earth can removing reindeer and snowflakes from their cup design be the means for them "declaring war on Christ and Christmas." Honestly, it hurts to even have to argue these points. There is, in all honesty, no redeeming the graphic and blasphemous response from The Oatmeal, since it is just that. Though I must say, I am not called to judge those outside the church, but those inside. If Feuerstein is going to be speaking on behalf of Christians on the internet, I must judge him and oppose him. I personally do not consider him a brother in Christ (being a modalist, I side with the Athanasian Creed in denouncing those who deny the Trinity), but the world is viewing him as such, and so we must correct this false perception. He is a wack-job who feeds on sensationalism, who is untrained, illogical, and naive. He does not represent Christ, nor His Church, and therefore needs to be denounced. We will only achieve rightful dialogue when we first gain the respect of the world around us, and we do this by being respectful, logical and knowledgeable.

Dr. Carson's Jesus Among a Shrine to Himself?

Recently, some interest has been generated on the internet surrounding a shrine in the home of Republican candidate Dr. Ben Carson. Not only is there a shrine in his home demonstrating many of his portraits, awards, achievements, and life events, but there is one significant portrait which caught the attention of many, especially those from the evangelical camp.

This portrait of Dr. Ben Carson includes a figure who is meant to portray Jesus, with a hand on Carson's shoulder and the other hand reaching out. Jesus is a middle-aged white male, with a short beard and long hair. The Jesus of Carson's portrait resembles the many misinterpretations and caricatures that have been made of Him over history.

Carson, being a Seventh-Day Adventist, has caused many in the evangelical camp to question his interpretation of Christianity and theology. While Carson could be said to already be walking a "fine line" with many evangelicals, this surely does not help his case. He has been critiqued, perhaps unjustly, for his many awkward and unorthodox claims in the past, and this certainly piles on to that list. It is one thing to have a picture of Jesus (many evangelicals would say that is already too far and even unbiblical), but to have a picture of you and Jesus causes one to raise to some questions.

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of this portrait, is how it is embedded in a shrine that Carson has erected of himself in his home. Rather than Jesus being the "center" of Carson's life, it appears as though Carson is the center of his own life. Jesus is sort-of added into the mix.

Now I am willing to give Carson the benefit of the doubt, that he truly wants to demonstrate the importance of Christ in his life. That may be a fair assumption. Though, I do find it hard to believe. This portrait gives us the idea that Jesus is Carson's friend, a sort-of "Jesus is my homeboy" attitude. Carson's attitude towards Christ may be a little bit too relaxed and irreverent, which sheds some light on how we should view him in regards to his Christian values. This is a portrait, done by an artist, at the request of Carson, and seems to identify more with Carson than it does with Christ Himself. This is the Jesus of Carson's mind, or even of the artist's mind, and we should not expect much authority to be derived from such a painting.