>Why should we co-opt McCulture
I don't know, I think I'm with rzman21 on this one. I'm very uncomfortable with the idea of self-identifying as "Jesus" on the back of a jersey.
If you must put a Christian meme there, use "WWJD" or something other than identifying the wearer of a football jersey as Christ.
When I first heard of this I thought that folks were using this to mock Tebow's religious beliefs.
BTW I'm not a fan of Christian "memes" in general; wearing a (simple) crucifix or cross is one thing, but the pop-culture stuff (like WWJD - I know, here come the flames) dumbs down Christianity IMHO.
Christian belief can not be boiled down to WWJD. I've heard this phrase used to justify all kinds of dubious beliefs and actions.
So-called “Christian” advertising conveys a superficial Christianity that is devoid of any deeper meaning. I see it as trite and blasphemous.
Megachurch Evangelicalism is a mile wide and an inch deep.
I’d call that inappropriate too, because it comes uncomfortably close to calling Tebow “Jesus,” something even Tebow wouldn’t want, and taken literally it would be a blasphemy. But not all instances of “polluting” McCulture with Christian icons are blasphemy, unless it’s blaspheming the way McCulture is so stuck on itself. (Speaking of genuine McCulture, you ought to read some of the vacuous copy on McDonalds drinking cups today. Season’s Cravings? What, is it Selfmas?)
re: “Christian belief can not be boiled down to WWJD. I’ve heard this phrase used to justify all kinds of dubious beliefs and actions.”
I agree with you on this statement, but I don’t think the “WWJD” phrase should take the blame for people who use it to justify whacky ideas. I know you are not claiming that and you only picked out that phrase because a lot of people know about it - but, I think there are always going to be people who take things - especially religious ideas - to places never intended.
Heck, the Bible itself is used to justify all sorts of un-Godly ideas and actions - yet, the Bible is not to blame for that - people are (I know - I stole that from “Guns don’t kill people”, etc.).
As to the “Jesus” Tbow shirts - well, I wouldn’t wear one as a Christian because I don’t think it’s a very clear message. Is the person wearing it simply making a joke? Is the person claiming Jesus and Tebow are one and the same? And, as has been pointed out, the name “Jesus” is quite common among our hispanic brethren and therefore many people will simply think the person wearing it is named “Jesus”. Any so-called evangelical value is flaky at best.
On the other hand, are we saying they shouldn’t be allowed to make the shirts? What authority would do that? Maybe good taste and solid theology would say they shouldn’t, but as has been mentioned - just walk into any Christian bookstore and you will see all kinds of dubious “Christian” trinkets with equally dubious evangelical value.
Still, the name “Jesus” makes people uncomfortable. You can talk with people about God or even use the word Christ and no one gets upset, but as soon as you say the name “Jesus” - things get much more tense. So, are people upset with these shirts because of taste or because the name Jesus is unsettleing to them?
Just some thoughts.