Some Questons About Compromise
Recently Mel and I watched the movie "The Wind that Shakes the Barley." (I am going to tell the crux of the story and appolgise for those who may not have seen it! but I assure you that for the sake of my thoughts it is needed.) The movie was about the Irish standing up against the British ownership of Ireland and the start of the Revolutionary push against the system that they were forced to live under. They wanted freedom etc from the oppression of the British and the ability to set up their own laws, languages and political systems (plus all the rest that comes with being your own country). The movie followed the story of one man and the little arm of this movement which he formed. The British offered a compromise to the Irish who stood opposed, and with this compromise the strength of the team was split. Some saw the offer as a massive step to win the war and others saw it simply as a compromise which stood counter to all they had fought for. These ones refused whole heartedly, continued to fight for complete freedom (not just changed uniforms!) and refused to the point of death.
In the west I think a major part of our fight as followers of Jesus is a fight against consumerism. This is the prevailing religion of our culture. The comfort, enjoyment, security and safety of life based on things that can be bought or sold. In seeking to draw people to Christ, can we use the "hook" of a consumerism based motivation to cause them to seek Him?
My questions are:
a) Should we advertise Jesus as a product to be pursued for what He can do for us?
b) Can we tap into the idol of consumerism to "sell" Jesus?
c) Would Jesus choose beautiful people, or powerful people,
or those who have life "all together" to advertise the life HE offered?
d) Would doing any of the above be counter to the transformational dream of God?
I don't know very much about the "Jesus. All about life" campaign, I've read the official web site and heard stories about it's possible goodness and potential.
My fear is that in using the advertising and selling methods of our culture we could be selling out and accepting a compromise. However I also know that we're called to be shrewd and use every opportunity to communicate truth. So should we use any tools possible as an attempt to further the Kingdom of God?
If anyone can shed some light on this tell me something about it, critique my thinking.
Just a final note, this was mels first ever shared experience of blogging, shared; meaning it was a joint event. So here's to a possible unleashing.
posted by Josh and Melody @ 10:37 pm
7 comments
7 Comments:
Hey Josh and Melody,I would love to meet you, not just because you are blogging about Jesus.All about Life, (and I happen to be the Project Officer), but more especially that you are somewhere in the northern suburbs of Lonnie and you love Jesus.
That means we have a lot in common. So how about contacting me, Judy, on 0439 771 226, so I can get to know you, and maybe answer some of your questions about the JAAL campaign?
Josh and Melody, hope you contact Judy and follow up on her offer. As one of the developers of the campaign at Bible Society NSW in Sydney, we love that it generates heaps of interest and blogs like yours.
Be good to get you guys involved and at least aware of what's going to happen. As someone in Canberra said, "it was never as easy to talk about Jesus as it was during the Jesus. All about life campaign."
Martin Johnson
mjohnson@biblesocietynsw.com.au
Hey guys, interesting stuff, just been looking at the 'jesus. all about life' thing. cant get onto the official website but found some others which were really interesting. There's one where non-christians were giving their opinions and a few said similar things eg- it's a load of crap, jesus isn't relevant and think of the people you could help with $250, 000 instead of giving people impersonal ads and pamphlets.
I think that everyone is reached in different ways and people will be reached through this campaign and probably come into a real relationship with jesus. I think my concern has always been with the 'come to jesus and your life will be great' which the western church, especially, has grabbed onto as a 'marketing tool', if you will. I would like to look into it more tho and see what the people who've started it have to say, trying not to make judgements.
When i've read the bible I've always interpreted the 'abundance' that jesus talks about being fruits of the spirit and stuff like that instead of monetary, posessions or even personal relationships because he states that following him will have people hate you etc. Yeah, not sure how to say it all but hopefully you can understand what i'm trying to say. Basically 'abundance' as i see it is the relationship with Jesus and a life devoted to him, which in a lot of cases is damn hard.
Love to get your ideas on all this :)
You are a rather shallow thinker if you think that consumerism is the prevailing religion of our culture, if you think that consumerism is a major Christian battle ground.
Do you think people trapped in the economic merry-go-round, people trying to maximize comfort for their families and minimize suffering are "worshipping" consumerism? Do you think people enjoy this type of life so much, they would praise it and want more?
Think again. When Christians can use their minds more carefully, maybe then they'll understand.
I thinkits fair to say that jesus consistently hid from that sort of stuff..i disagree with dave in the sense that consumersim is more insidious than providing for your family. it tries to convince you you need stuff you dont. i worked in a supermarket for 8 years, so Ive seen it in its crudest form. from the colour of the packaging to the placement in the store everything is manipulated to the nth degree to make you believe that particualr box of tissues is what you need..How many varieties of toilet paper do we really need? thats what i used to ask on my blog all the time. Consumer choice is an illusion, its not about choice, but about making money.
i think it is a power, and one that Jesus would have stood before and been crucified by.
I agree Urbs. Consumerism is very insidious. David I do not think that consumerism is just something that Christians should be aware of and challenge, it is something that each individual from Buddhist to atheist to Christian, needs to challenge. There is consuming wisely, then there is disposable consumption like us the west. A consumption that is fuelled by wants not needs.
I'm not pardoning myself, or excusing myself; it's just a thought.
However David I would love to ask you the question though (just because I’ve read a lot of what you have to say on others blogs, however) What do you stand for. What are you against? Surely, there is a middle ground somewhere. I’m not suggesting that it is Jesus or religion, but surely there could be a point of agreement; because I would like to hear it and discuss it.
the jury is still out for me about all this..
life is not found in consumer goods.. (the incidence of suicide, depression + loneliness in rich western cultures show this..) + i agree that it is a lie we are constantly bombarded with. all sorts of brands are grabbing for our attention + the use of Jesus name in this way is well.. interesting!!
i think it CAN be a healthy spot to be.. in the middle of a contradiction.. a rich famous rockstar (bono) who has used his wealth, fame + power to fight against consumerism + to help MAKE POVERTY HISTORY once said "don't become a monster to overcome a monster"
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