Sunday, August 17, 2008
Sunday Reflection: WWJD is the wrong question
[click on the picture to enlarge the photo]
Today I drove into church behind a car with one of those WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bumper stickers. As those of you who have been in my class know, I think bumper stickers are about the worst way to change anyone else's mind on an issue, but I did do some thinking on this one, and concluded that "What Would Jesus Do?" is the wrong question. "What would Jesus Have Us Do?" is the right question.
The reason WWJD is the wrong question is simple-- it leads us to view the Gospels only from the perspective of the Son of God rather than the perspective of the people he was teaching. A first principle to me regarding faith is this: "There is a God, and I am not Him." When we ask WWJD, we put ourselves in the position of the divine rather than the fallen, and that is not our position within God's realm.
This does affect the way we interpret scripture. Think about John 8, where Jesus is asked by the Pharisees to weigh in on the stoning of a convicted adultress. Jesus ask that the person without sin cast the first stone, and they all walk away. Jesus then tells the woman to sin no more, recognizing that no one (even he) has condemned her.
If we look at this from the perspective of Jesus (WWJD), it is pretty directive-- we should show mercy and tell people not to sin. The problem is that we are the mob of sinners-- you, me, everyone. I am one of the people with a rock in his hands, not the Son of God come to Earth. From the proper perspective, that of the person holding a rock, the lesson is much different-- not to stone others before facing up to our own sins. It is fundamentally different when we see it that way.
It does make life harder when we judge ourselves as harshly as we judge others, and sometimes WWJHUD (What Would Jesus Have Us Do) might be a harder question than WWJD.
Comments:
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Looking at the scriptures from different perspective does add greater beauty and depth to them. I've tried to do it more since last time you suggested it months ago. I've also found it helpful to read parables from the perspective of different characters, like the brother in "The Prodigal Son."
What's especially interesting is that each perspective may not always apply equally to us. Sometimes we're the brother, sometimes the prodigal, sometimes the father. Yet from each perspective we learn something different. As brothers we learn to rejoice with our Father when our wayward siblings come home. As prodigals we learn the Father will run to us when we return to Him. And as fathers, we learn to welcome our children home with open arms, even if they really screwed things up.
What's especially interesting is that each perspective may not always apply equally to us. Sometimes we're the brother, sometimes the prodigal, sometimes the father. Yet from each perspective we learn something different. As brothers we learn to rejoice with our Father when our wayward siblings come home. As prodigals we learn the Father will run to us when we return to Him. And as fathers, we learn to welcome our children home with open arms, even if they really screwed things up.
Sorry, Osler, but I have to disagree. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. . . ." (I Pet. 2:21) If Christ is our example, we should follow what he does. Therefore, "What would Jesus do?" is the proper question.
# posted by 
: 10:08 PM
: 10:08 PM
hmmm ... So you read that fragment of Peter to mean we are all in the position of God?
# posted by : 10:12 PM
: 10:12 PM
I think the first anon is right (though people won't like this)- we are all God. We are each our own creators, and are fully the equal of Jesus, if that is who you imagine God to be.
# posted by : 10:36 PM
: 10:36 PM
Anon. 9:08-- I agree that there are times we should emulate Jesus, sure. What I was talking about in the post, though (and I should have made this clear) is that we need to be careful of perspective when Jesus is shown teaching. In that scenario, we are the students. It is certainly true that in other parts of the Gospel which describe Jesus' personal actions (retreating to prayer, healing the sick, caring for the poor, and engaging with the world through love) we absolutely should follow in his footsteps. It's a distinction I should have made clearer. However, I do think that if you want a one-size-fits-all rule, WWJHUD is better than WWJD, because WWJHUD would include emulating Christ in his actions, because in those instances Christ was living out by example what he taught, yet still allow for a distinction between teacher and student in reading those parts of the Gospels.
Bumper stickers are actually important in that they help people decide if its 'OK' to feel one way or another.... all part of the herd mentality that pervades society.
For instance, the No.Va. suburbs are Obama-land, but there are plenty of McCain voters here too. But a lot of them are almost afraid to admit it. McCain is not the "flavor of the day." So when the timid likely McCain voter sees my car or others with McCain bumper stickers, they feel a little more assured knowing that they're not alone.
As for WWJD, yeah, I always thought WWJTUTD or WWJTMTD or WWJTYTD would be more accurate, but wouldn't work as a marketing concept.
A neighbor has a license plate with WWFSMD
For instance, the No.Va. suburbs are Obama-land, but there are plenty of McCain voters here too. But a lot of them are almost afraid to admit it. McCain is not the "flavor of the day." So when the timid likely McCain voter sees my car or others with McCain bumper stickers, they feel a little more assured knowing that they're not alone.
As for WWJD, yeah, I always thought WWJTUTD or WWJTMTD or WWJTYTD would be more accurate, but wouldn't work as a marketing concept.
A neighbor has a license plate with WWFSMD
# posted by : 11:37 AM
: 11:37 AM
I have nothing to add to this wonderful conversation. But you must remind me to tell you of my WWJD/handcuff story...
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