Sharper Iron just returned the Christian Booksellers Association and has a lot to say about the Jesus Junk.
I don’t go into ‘Christian bookstores’ anymore. The amount of kitch we have to pass at the front to get to the measly section of books at the back is not worth it, and I have to be honest, I feel embarrassed and ashamed to have to walk past what is the bread and butter for most religious book stores now. And being a Canadian the books are mostly from the US and ridiculously expensive. Mainstream bookstores stock or can get religious books ordered and in your hands at reasonable prices.
I am so very very tired of religious organizations marketing to me any way they see fit, including unsolicited email.
Jason’s observations are excellent - broken down into sections:
- First, many people trust that wearing Jesus Junk will result in conversions. Nope. Not one piece of commercial product has had an evangelizing effect on me.
- Second, many Christians seem to believe Jesus Junk promotes Christian community. I don’t believe in a culture war, so while I can understand these are symbols for people feeling marginalized, they don’t do anything for me or most of us in the community department. Keeping up with the Jones isn’t in the bible.
- Third, many people seem to be in the business because of pure commercialism.
1. Does the joining of the holy with the common compromise the message of the cross? Poker chips with John 3:16 on them???
2. Does this smack of using the name of Jesus for the sake of profit? Well, how low can you go shouldn’t be a hard question, but maybe it is when profits are king. A classic example is Tyndale’s support of Left Behind: Eternal Forces.
3. If it is used as a message for evangelism, will the message be taken seriously based on how it is delivered? Cheap reduction doesn’t help anyone, except the person lining his pockets from undiscerning religious buyers.
4. Do we need to make a “Christian” everything? Nope. Our call is to be Christians not make Christian stuff
5. You seriously desire to be associated with all of the other Christians who cover their bodies with Jesus Junk? Maturity is an indication we grow past symbols into becoming like Jesus Christ, not junk.
I think people need to ask themselves why they need to buy this things, what unspoken need to they fill? What happens if you don’t have this junk?
Companies spend a lot of money, so heave research and marketing at you, deliberably targeting you with what they want you to think you want to have and will gain purchasing their ‘product.’
We can deal with our weaknesses, educate ourselves and stop allowing companies to pressure us into putting consumerism over or ‘into’ faith with religious products. While commercialism and sellers make a lot of noise, I suspect many people believe and feel as Jason does.
via: Evangelical Outpost
Published 2 years ago
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I think that many people compelled to give into the the social pressure and consumerism Jesus Junk feeds them can find outlets other than shopping.
There are so many organization attempting to ease the suffering of people within our own countries.
Take up a craft that provides practical assistance to those in need, from new born babies, to kids without toys, to Habitat for Humanity, to food banks.
Teens are under the most presssure from ‘christian’ companies to look cool, be cool, fit in. Are there ways we can educate them to redirect this need into practical service to others?
“I don’t believe in a culture war.” Maybe thats the problem. We see promotion of sin going on and then say “I don’t believe in a culture war”. Kind of reminds me of Laodicia.
“from new born babies, to kids without toys, to Habitat for Humanity, to food banks.”
These actions while wonderful and good yet in of themselves don’t lead to Salvation.
I agree but do people actually accept Christ and enter the Kingdom from these actions apart from actually sharing the Gospel?
I think practical service is “from new born babies, to kids without toys, to Habitat for Humanity, to food banks” but also the Great Commission.
Another responsibility is living a life for Christ nad standing up to the “evil one” who “..seeks out who he may devour”. We need to recognize the weapons that God has given against the enemy. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are good for the pulling down of strongholds.”