Today I wore a T-shirt to school that had a large guitar pick on the front of it reading "Pick Jesus- Romans 10:13."...clever, I know. I have a lot of these shirts, mostly that I bought when I was in high school while working at a Christian bookstore (discounted tees--woot woot!). As I have been in college, I have noticed an overwhelming disregard for such attire--not just because some people don't like Jesus, but because people don't like the typical Christian's approach to Jesus, as if we are selling something. The truth is--we, as Christians, do have something we want to spread the word about and let people know about (as I blogged yesterday), but, as with anything else in life, there is a right and wrong approach. I'd appreciate honest feedback on this, as it is something I have an incomplete opinion on, but here goes... When I've worn these t-shirts in the past, the response I got seemed almost like people translated that such attire in a way that seemed I was causing a mocking of Christ by wearing a shirt (for example, one that plays on the Staples Easy Button--'Jesus. It's just that easy.') Let's be honest, a clever t-shirt slogan will more than likely not convert someone....it could possibly let someone know you believe in Christ and aren't afraid to show it (although this could probably be better approached in other ways). I feel like as Christians we are constantly under watch and that a t-shirt doesn't reveal our faith any more than our lives SHOULD be. In a way, I can see how atheists/believer's of other faiths can see it as obnoxious and as marketing a Deity who is not something material. It's a delicate balance I believe, but in the end, I seek to be the best witness I can--so if that means no clever slogan tees, I will wear no clever slogan tees. The moral of the story is don't be ashamed to wear something/proclaim something for Christ, just have a keen ear that you are doing what He wants and conveying the message in the best way possible. (Just like you wouldn't go into a Chinese culture and expect them to accept American 'cultural norms,' when witnessing, you must not disregard your purpose and the Message, but adapt your approach to the setting--use chopstick instead of silverware--got it?) At this point in life, I don't feel ashamed to wear one of these shirts, but rather proactive that there's more to witnessing than 100%cotton.
Side note: I do not discourage anyone who wears such attire--it can be very uplifting to fellow Christians to remind them throughout the day that there are others fighting the same fight...such a tee can do just the trick. Do whatever God leads you to do.
In all that I do, I try to remember this: Matthew 10:33, 34, and 39-"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in Heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in Heaven."..."Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Stand strong for God, but also seek wisdom and counsel from other Christians on how to stand strong...better...(Proverbs 12:15)
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6 comments:
I like to think of this from a plurality standpoint. The idea behind seeking religious plurality is that it is a good thing for people to express their views civilly. Yelling or proselytizing are undesirable, but having open, honest conversations and making unobtrusive but meaningful statements about what you believe is good. The idea is that by doing so, the people around you will get a more full perspective of who you are and so will you. It's easier to 'judge the tree by it's fruit' when we know what tree you are! I don't just think it is allowable that you wear T-shirts (or have bumper stickers or talk openly in public) about Jesus, I think it's a good thing.
N
I am guilty of being dismissive of catchy T-shirts for a few reasons. For one, I think there is a legitimate danger of reducing your faith to a collection of colloquial slogans rather than a real way of life. Kind of the WWJD bracelet effect - it's easy for people to feel that their commitment to Christ is simply to proclaim that they believe, while carrying on their lives as they already would have.. A form of complacence, if you will.
That, however, is an entirely different problem that isn't related to T-shirts. (That of not taking faith as a serious commitment) In some sense, though, I think your point that a shirt should be redundant at best is very true. And the idea that such things are somewhat antagonistic is very valid. That's my big fear - that "Jesus apparel" is more alienating to people who are disinclined to believe anything at all. It allows them to be more dismissive and comfortable in their conclusions, whereas a faith that is obvious only from acts and attitudes seems more likely to create at least curiosity or openness (and consequently a possible change of heart!). In that sense, they are at best neutral (they don't strengthen the wearer's faith, nor that of any believer who sees it), and might be counterproductive by hardening the hearts of some..
However, you could also argue that wearing a proclamation of your faith could mark you as a person curious and receptive people can come to for guidance. That could be infinitely useful.
Nick! Thanks for the comment :) I don't think it's at all that it should or should not be allowed, but rather, whether or not it is most effective. I like your view on the judge the tree by its fruit--agreed...but sometimes I think the fruit should be more than just readable/attire/accesories/etc...but a lifestyle. There are lots of magnificent people out there that don't have relationships with Christ though--so I can see the argument that such identification might be hard.
to charley--exactly.
When I said fruit, I meant the lifestyle--the works if you will. I think the idea that 'they'll know we are christians by our love' doesn't work because many other lifestances are capable of producing similar loves (perhaps this is more debatable than I let on, but I think not). So a little visible reminder that the person brightening the world around her is a Christian would be nothing but positive for the Christian faith. I've seen no evidence that such witticisms encourage the bearers to be reduced to them or the veiwers to be turned off from someone who would otherwise be veiwed as doing good.
I think we're saying the same thing about there are Christians and then there are good ppl that aren't Christians and you and I are just miscommunicating this point to each other. Because there is good outside of faith, there has to be some identifying feature that separates the good/non-Christian from the good/Christian in order to make any strides for the faith...I'm just not sure t-shirts are the best mode. idk. I think charley summed it up nicely.
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