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Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Confronting Intolerance: What Would You Do?
Many of you know that I LOVE pieces that really make me sit down and think... well, here's on posted by Dan Kimball over at his blog Vintage Faith. Really... what would you do? Dan writes...
I am recently in an airport and I am sitting in the waiting area for boarding. From the corner of my eye I see a young fellow wearing a black t-shirt with letters on it that says "INTOLERANT" and I saw the name Jesus on there too. I walked up to take a closer look and the shirt had the verse John 14:6 about Jesus being the way, the truth and the life on it. I see it and I agree that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life - but I wasn't comfortable with the large INTOLERANT letters used as it kind of looked like it was putting that word in the verse itself. I sort of was indicating that Jesus would be shouting out "INTOLERANT" by the way it looked. (you can click on the shirt image for a larger look at it).
Then I saw the back of the shirt. It had the large all caps words "HOMOSEXUALITY IS SIN" "ISLAM IS A LIE" "ABORTION IS MURDER" and in smaller letters it said "some issues are just black and white". I was taken back when I first saw the back of the shirt and how large the words it used were. I sat down looking at the young guy wearing the shirt. He was probably around 25 years old. Athletic looking type. He eventually stood up to get in the line as they called everyone to get on board. The shirt was blatantly obvious and everyone was looking at it who was in the line behind him. I saw a little kid looking at it. Men, women, of different races looking at it. Jesus' name on the front, and these large statements on the back clearly designed for people to read and easily see it.
As we stood and slowly moved in the corridor getting into the plane, I was wondering if someone who was Islam was in the line reading it. Or someone gay. Or a woman who had an abortion.
I was wondering what messages this would say to people reading it about Christians to the two dozen or so people I saw looking at it in the line.
I wondered where the guy got the shirt (since then I did a search and found the organization who makes them). People in a neutral airport minding their own business now having this shirt in front of them having to read it. I understand the underlying motive in what he believed about what the shirt said. But even if he believes that, I wondered how effective the method in what he was doing by wearing the shirt was.
I wondered what Jesus (whose name was on the front of the shirt) thinks of this?
I wondered how we would feel if we saw a t-shirt in an aiport saying CHRISTIANITY IS A LIE. It is a free country. I kept going back and forth in my mind about wanting to say something and ask him something. I finally did go say something to him and had a brief conversation.
I am curious however, before I say what I asked him - what would you think about this shirt? What do you think Jesus would think of this? Approval? Disapproval? Is this effective in representing a voice of Jesus, as shown on the front of the shirt, to the people in the airport?
What would you have said to this person? Or not say anything at all?
I am not asking this for maybe what seems an obvious answer. But what are the serious reasons and even biblical principles for whatever we may think of this shirt? Not just an emotional reaction, but what would the argument be to wear or not wear this shirt as a follower of Jesus. And if you could ask or say something to the guy wearing it, what would that be?
DISCUSSION: Well... what would you do?!
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January 10, 2006 in Leadership Issues | Permalink
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Comments
Where can I get one of these T's
Posted by: RevJay | Jan 10, 2006 3:17:16 PM
I would have ignored the wearer.
I'm certain the shirt does not have the good news of the gospel on it, so I don't think it is an evangelical tool, so I'd have to say I wouldn't approve of it (well, perhaps in church to make a point in a class or something - with people you have time to explain dealing with the world's view on Christianity - just like it is being used here in thsi forum to spark a discussion).
Posted by: Paul Davis | Jan 10, 2006 3:39:30 PM
I encountered the group that sells those t-shirts the other night in Concord, NC. They were on a street corner yelling at people. How in the world do they expect to lead people to Christ in the manner?
Posted by: Kevin | Jan 10, 2006 3:59:31 PM
Galatians 5:22-6:1 - This is Paul's instruction after sharing all the acts of sinful nature desires that is contrary to the Spirit. Why is it that everyone forgets the 9th piece of the Fruit of Spirit = Self-Control. And how is that lived out by not provoking, but to restore another gently. We must try at all times to "Keep in step with the Spirit." (vs. 25b). My prayers go out to this young man and may the Spirit intercede for the sighs, hurts, damage that it causes. I turn to the final word, "May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." Rev. 22:21
Posted by: Rob | Jan 10, 2006 4:07:36 PM
Paul,
So what you're saying is that LedZeplin and AC/DC shirts with drugs and violent messages are ok for the world since they won't incite the worlds anger toward the wearer, but put Jesus on it and it has to be a tool of Satan?
I'd wear this shirt everywhere I'd go just as I do many of my other witnessing tools. Sure, some people might give me the look, but at least I would get a response.
Too many Christians today have no motivation to witness to the lost and dying world.
As leaders of men, we must be willing to put our cross on our shoulder and make some waves in our communities.
Still shaken!
Posted by: RevJay | Jan 10, 2006 4:24:22 PM
Rob,
I agree that we should bstrive to bring back a brother to restoration, but this type of advertisement is not ment toward a brother but a sin sick lost world. To get them thinking. Ephesians was written to the saved, not the lost.
Pray that we win one that Jesus would be glorified, His word will not return void.
Posted by: RevJay | Jan 10, 2006 4:28:20 PM
With all do respect, I don't see Jesus wearing this t-shirt!
Posted by: Kevin | Jan 10, 2006 4:54:31 PM
When I read Jesus' words throughout the gospels, I see an interesting pattern: his most gentle words were spoken to sinners, while his harshest words were directed at the religious leaders.
Listen to him talking to the woman caught in adultery: "neither do I condemn you" (John 8:12).
But to the
Posted by: Randy Ehle | Jan 10, 2006 5:02:12 PM
Oops...must have hit the "post" button by accident.
Anyway, for an example of Jesus' reaction to the religious leaders, look at Matthew 3, 12, and 23 - in each of those chapters he calls them a "brood of vipers." Not exactly what we'd like to hear said of ourselves.
I guess I tend to think that Jesus probably wouldn't wear the "intolerant" t-shirt - not because what it says isn't true, but because it wasn't his style.
Maybe I should get a t-shirt that says "BROOD OF VIPERS" in big print and "church board" in smaller print - probably more along what Jesus would say! (And I say that as a "recovering" church board member! Not that all church boards are to be compared to the religious leaders that Jesus addressed, but....)
Posted by: Randy Ehle | Jan 10, 2006 5:07:08 PM
Back in my college days, I would have worn such a shirt and invited people to try and comment on it.
Now I'm a bit older, and hopefully wiser. I think this does no good for the kingdom. I'm not opposed to shirts with a positive message, but messages of condemnation end up getting people angry toward Christians and Christianity rather than making them think about the positions being put forth on the shirt.
I would have ignored it, but if for some reason this person would have asked for my opinion, I would have given it, as graciously as I could. Other than that, I would be praying that God would override the negative feelings produced by the shirt.
Brian
Posted by: Brian La Croix | Jan 10, 2006 5:09:19 PM
I like the front, but not the back, which is accurate but probably ineffective.
The message on the front is important because too many "Christians" these days think that any ol' religion will do -- they all worship the same God just in different ways. This is heresy and should be combated. In my own denomination (UMC) it is prolific and so I appreciate a blunt effort to express what Jesus bluntly said: no one comes to the Father but through Him.
Posted by: John | Jan 10, 2006 5:18:32 PM
I think the shirt is too harsh. "Islam is a lie" is pretty harsh. What part about Islam? Some of it is good... such as total submission to God. Some of it is a lie.
I think it's interesting how Christians can jump on this guy for being too harsh, but then ignore the other extreme,,, being too easy... and tolerating the watered-down gospel, which I'm starting to think is another religion. We have Baptist, Catholic, Mormon, JW,,, let's get a name for the new & prominent prosperity gospel being preached today... so we can better identify it as the wayward cult it is (TD Jakes, Creflo Dollar, John Hagee, Kenneth Copeland, etc.)...
I saw Joel Osteen the other day on TV. Seems to me he's a "Christian" version of Tony Robbins, the popular self-help guru. Yes, at the end of the show, Joel gives an invitation to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, but what's that supposed to mean when he never explained it? What are people "signing up" for? What "Jesus" are they accepting???
...Bernie
Posted by: Bernie Dehler | Jan 10, 2006 5:42:05 PM
We have been silent to long. I think the wearer has a freedom of speech, and belief. We as Christians always worry about offending sinners. We need to stop being so quiet, and stand up for our believes too! Sinners are not suppose to like it, but they must know Jesus preached to repent and sin no more. The world thinks that what they do is no longer a sin, but their rights to do. It is still sin! and if reading a t-shirt, no matter how radical it may be, may inform someone of that, than great.
Posted by: Carolyn | Jan 10, 2006 5:49:54 PM
It isn't about freedom of speech, it isn't about "witnessing", it isn't about "having people think." It's about what is proper behavior for a young Christian man?
I believe he would have received many more inquiries into his Christian Faith, if he had worn a nice shirt, held a Bible under his arm, and helped those in the Airport – elderly, disabled, single mother with two kids, get to their plane then become a billboard for shock statements.
IMHO
Pastor Al
Posted by: Pastor Al | Jan 10, 2006 6:42:59 PM
"MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN"
(Daniel 5:22-31)
Posted by: Pastor Max | Jan 10, 2006 7:46:13 PM
If I were to comment, I would ask the man which sins lie in a gray area. Hopefully this would lead to the realization that we are all sinners in need of Grace.
Posted by: Julie | Jan 10, 2006 8:39:55 PM
Definition of terms time, folks...
Tolerance is ok. It does NOT constitute agreement. I may tolerate you and your beliefs if they differ from me, in fact... In order for me to be tolerant of you, it must first be that I disagree with you. Because if I agree with you, there is no place for tolerance, since we agree. Tolerance in the world's eyes often means relativism, but that isn't even tolerance, it's just intellectual laziness.
God is, in a sense, tolerant of us, because, through the blood of Christ, he allows ANYBODY who trusts Jesus to have eternal life, regardless of their background, who they are, what they've done. In that sense, Christianity is the most tolerant religion that has ever been.
The shirt is just wrong. I'd like to ask the young man how he defines tolerance, what then intolerance is, and what exactly he IS tolerant of.
Enough of this, though, I can't tolerate any more... (hee hee... get it?)
Posted by: Peter Hamm | Jan 10, 2006 9:06:39 PM
Well here it goes.... First things first. WE ARE LIVING UNDER GRACE.... The bible clearly states that God loves the sinner but hates sin. Romans 8:1 makes it very clear that for a Christian there is NO Condemnation. The only time there is judgement for the sinner is dying without Christ. According to this shirt you have to take everything Jesus taught and rip it out of the bible. Then you have to take out the fruit's of the Spirit that Paul talked about.
Second, I would not have condemned the young man for wearing this shirt but I would have struck up a conversation with him. Opps there went my cat, Ha,ha... But the reason I say that is this.I love people and I always like to hear what they have to say and why... Example. I went to my first Promise Keepers in 2000 in Nashville, TN. When they broke for lunch that day there were people outside passing out flyers and telling all of us that the word of God was not going to exist because of Amos 8:11-12. I thought to myself how absurb, but in the back of my mind I kept wondering "Now why would they say that, what was their reason for believing that." So why everyone else was getting mad and racking them over the coals. I went and talked to one of them. He never looked me in the eye, he kept repeating the same thing over and over "it just is man, it just is" "it's going to happen, it's going to happen." This my friends opened up the door to plant seeds. This is God's way of opening doors of oppurtunity, don't walk through it without doing something and don't pass it up. Because there is no turning back to make up for loss ground. Because when he shuts it... It's locked...
Rev. Jay.... LedZeplin & AC/DC rock dude....
Posted by: Clairvoyent 1 | Jan 10, 2006 9:32:28 PM
The sad part to me concerning the message the T-shirt expresses is that there is no possible way for those who read it to be touched by, or pierced by, or even gain any sense at all of it bringing them LOVE!
All they are able to deduct or sense from this T-shirt is that if they are involved in any of those particular SINS...they are in deep doo doo with God and that somehow Jesus was the only way out.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus is so much more than that, and to give people a message that does no more than tell them how condemned they are is about as effective as my chances of getting into the Super Bowl if you gave me 1/4th of a ticket.
There is also the impersonal and general condemnation it presents. It does not speak to any particular human being about where they do or do not stand with God and it really offers then nothing other than a flash exposure from someone who obviously thinks they are out and he is in with God.
I guess if he were specifically at a rally being held on the lawn of his church by a group of homsexual Islamic Abortionists, it might have some value...so if one comes up for sale on Ebay real cheap...it might be worth buying in case we ever find ourselves in such a place.
Otherwise, it would make a good shop rag!
Posted by: Jim Eaton | Jan 10, 2006 10:09:34 PM
If our hearts would break for the lostness of the "homsexual Islamic abortionists," this tee shirt should enrage us. Where did we ever get the idea that our job was to convict lost people of their sin (who needs the Holy Spirit anyway)?
This methodology isn't just ineffective, it is damaging to the kingdom of God. In my opinion, much more damaging than gay rights activitists, pro-choice campaigners and all of Isalm combined.
Wendi
Posted by: Wendi | Jan 10, 2006 10:31:28 PM
Wendi,
GO GIRL! I WANT TO COME HEAR YOU PREACH SOME TIME.
Posted by: Jim Eaton | Jan 10, 2006 10:49:24 PM
If confronted with a shirt such as this, if it was a God given opportunity in the timing of God, I would ask the wearer what sins he had committed that were intolerate to God. (Does God tolerate any sin?)That being said, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God and need to remember where we have come from and what we have been forgiven of. Letting others know where we have come from and what we personally have been forgiven of does much to restore and welcome home others. It's never an ,I am better because I haven't, but a, I am because He did and does. Amen.
Posted by: ld | Jan 11, 2006 1:30:42 AM
For God so loved the WORLD, that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not PERISH, but have EVERLASTING life.
Does God tolerate any sin? NO! Therefore God (Jesus) is INTOLORANT!
Don't care what your theology is, My God IS an Awesome God that IS Intolerant of sin.
Mankind is Hell bent on sinning (ask Eve and Adam -- the first sinners (thanks guys).
Homosexuality IS a SIN, Abortion (murder) IS a SIN, Islam IS a lie and a lie is a SIN, Get it right people. We are dealing with a world that could give a rat's behind about you and what you think we should or shouldn't do concerning them, they don't HEAR the HOLY SPIRIT when He urges them to repent, they are given over to their own lusts. A strong shot in the head is required to get their attention and although you may think we are 'doing the Holy Spirit's job', how will they hear unless we preach to them? Mamby Pamby milk toast will get you no converts and should you find one, good luck getting them to commit to anything.
Ps 37:5--Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass. Make a COMMITMENT unto God and He will protect you from evil doers, don’t be so “wishy washy” concerning your witness and commitment unto the Lord.
Posted by: RevJay | Jan 11, 2006 2:11:48 AM
Clair...
Let's chat about the likes of LedZepplin and AC/DC...
Posted by: RevJay | Jan 11, 2006 2:15:21 AM
We've all seen such young people with more zeal than knowledge. This is not so uncommon. The shirt was wrong, true enough. However, if a youngster has such courage of his convictions, with the right influence he can be mentored and turned into another Paul or Apollos. He just might be a prophet-in-the- making as Ezekiel who also spoke in the heat of his anger until God sat him down for a period of time so he could think things over. My guess is that if you took his shirt away (if you had the courage)and gave him some real spiritual meat to chew on you would have someone who would be a threat to the kingdom of darkness. I say leave him alone. Besides, how do you know what Jesus would do in this decadent generation? As an older man I would approach him with another t-shirt and ask him to change. If he was of God he would respect an older christian if he spoke in love's appeal. If he wasn't and demonstrated an arrogant spirit I would simply inform him of his foolishness and walk away. Sooner or later some tough guy looking for trouble will find him and give him a better outlook on the world around him! How do I know? Experience, my friends, experience!
Budd Wicker
Posted by: Budd Wicker | Jan 11, 2006 2:16:12 AM
