Comments on Pet Peeving: Churches, Easter, and Marketing

To me this is very similar to the guy who streaks ...

2008-04-01T12:58:00.000-05:00

To me this is very similar to the guy who streaks naked across a soccer field with goldenpalace.com on his body. he's trying to get attention. he got it. Did I go to golden palace and spend money? no. Will your phrase get attention? yes. Will it get the intended results? we'll see. I'm not sure Jesus was gratuitous and flippant with his use of language. Jesus was a master linguist. This seems like both. Jesus was calculated with what he did, knowing what the end result would be: his arrest and execution.

My initial response to the banner was somewhat neg...

2008-03-29T12:33:00.000-05:00

My initial response to the banner was somewhat negative because I felt that it used "small talk" for something profoundly significant.

For example, if I finish the half-marathon in an hour and a half, I will be able to tell people that I "kicked ass," and will have no problem saying it.

However, dying for the sins of the world is no half-marathon. The "kicked ass" colloquialism doesn't communicate enough for me.

So I'm not offended by the use of the phrase, I just don't think it is sufficiently descriptive, since I only hear it used to describe events with minor significance.

But, as Michael said, Emmaus Church is reaching a segment of the population who will "get it" when this kind of phrase is used, so I have no real beef with their use of it. I just wouldn't use it personally, because I'd prefer something more descriptive.

One thing I love about the Bible is the offensive nature of so much of it's content. I think we've lost some of that due to our time-space gap, but as Chris said, "brood of vipers" was no gentle rebuke!

Well put. Good response. I'd love to see what othe...

2008-03-26T13:25:00.000-05:00

Well put. Good response. I'd love to see what others have to say but I don't think my blog gets enough traffic.

First of all, 7 points to Ben for using "colloquia...

2008-03-26T12:04:00.000-05:00

First of all, 7 points to Ben for using "colloquialism!" I had a pretty good idea of what it meant, but I had to look it up to be sure... lol.

Is what Christ experienced in the death and resurrection something he would describe so lightheartedly with a colloquialism? I think so. I seriously doubt Jesus was the staunch, somber, straight-laced and sometimes sad guy we see depicted and hear about in a lot of sermons. Here’s just one example of what is generally accepted as Jesus “playing around” with Peter…

In Matthew 16, Jesus gives Peter a nickname that might translate today to “Rocky.” At the time, Peter was anything but a “rock,” it would be like somebody nicknaming a fat guy “slim.” Now, it gave Peter something to live up to, and he eventually did… but although it was fraught with purpose, it was probably pretty funny none-the-less.

In my opinion (and granted, it’s just that… an opinion), the Bible is full of humor, wit, “clever” phrases and “clever exchanges.” Colossians 4:6 in the New Jerusalem Bible says, “"Talk to them agreeably and with a flavor of wit, and try to fit your answers to the needs of each one."

In today’s urban slang, “kicked ass” means “did really well.” In saying that Jesus “kicked ass,” I’m not “making light” what he did, I’m just saying that when he showed up in hell and took back the keys of death, hell and the grave… he “owned” it… he was amazing… and there was no mistaking who was in charge… In other words, he kicked ass!

I think there are two issues.One is the use of the...

2008-03-21T14:02:00.000-05:00

I think there are two issues.

One is the use of the colloquialism. If you said that 50 years ago, people would have said, "no he did not kick ass. He did ride one into the streets of Jerusalem however." I can see where you are coming from and on some level I can appreciate it.

The second issue is something that I think is more important. I am very appreciative of what Jesus did for humanity, but is the statement boastful? Is what Christ experienced in the death and resurrection something he would describe so lightheartedly with a colloquialism?

I'd love to hear everyone's perspective on this! H...

2008-03-21T10:55:00.000-05:00

I'd love to hear everyone's perspective on this! Here's mine:

Paul used the word "skubala" (Phil 3:8) which not only is defined as “dung” or “feces,” but appears in ancient graffiti. It is commonly accepted that it was considered to be a very profane word, similar to "shit."

The personalities in and the writers of the Bible consistently used words and phrases that were considered "profane" at the time.

The Emmaus Church feels called and is attempting to reach for some groups that "traditional" churches aren't reaching for... drag kings, drag queens and strippers to name just a few. It makes complete sense to these groups to say that the world has been totally “f***ed up” since the fall... they "get" that, they understand it, if you know what I mean.

To them, it’s not profane at all. It makes sense. And, if it makes “Christians” feel a little uncomfortable? Well, that may not be such a bad thing. I think the reality of the Kingdom of God and the message of Jesus should make us all a lot more uncomfortable than it does.

And, the truth is... Jesus did kick ass when he descended into hell and cleaned house... and I, for one at least, think that rocks!

Thanks for noticing and for the post!

Which Jesus said it?This is a great topic of conve...

2008-03-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Which Jesus said it?

This is a great topic of conversation. Just as robes and sandals might be converted into jeans and flip flops, I often wonder what type of language Jesus would use were He physically walking the earth today. For a guy who said to the Pharisees "You snakes! You brood of vipers!" (Matthew 23:33 - NIV), I don't think "kicked ass" is a stretch.