10.13.2008

Christ and Culture...

I am amazed sometimes at the liberties culture will take with things that are closely tied to Christianity. Watching the Monday Night Football game tonight I saw a commercial for the new "Saw V" horror flick. The tag line for the movie is "WWJD?" Sound familiar? Made popular by the recent popularity of the classic book, "In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?", the WWJD has been a pop-Christian icon in the last couple of decades.

It is not surprising that something like this should happen, but the intentional irony that is produced by the usage of this phrase for this movie should not be overlooked. Christ came so that the image of God (Imagio Dei) in man would be restored; the movie makes the mutilation and killing of men entertainment. Christ came so that those who place their faith in him would be perfected in the flesh; the movie is about the gratuitous destruction of the flesh. Christ willingly went to the cross and allowed his flesh to be mutilated for the expiation and propitiation of sin; the main character of the movie will take joy in mutilating the flesh of others.

WWJD was a phrase to cause people to consider the willing sacrifice of Christ at the cross as a standard for our daily living. Not enough in and of itself to bring about the salvation of souls, nor should it be left as the intended significance of Christ's death at the cross, WWJD is a valid question for those who have understood the gospel message and responded in faith to ask themselves as they live out lives for the glory of God. The blatant use of the same acronym (WWJD? - 'What Would Jigsaw Do?') for "Saw V" flies in the face of the message of the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Am I surprised at this in a world that is fallen, corrupt and sinful? No. But neither do I want to blink in surprise when I see it and then go on as if I never did see it. How many Christians will go to this movie for "entertainment" without thinking about the ramifications of how Hollywood has placed this movie in ironic apposition with the faith?

1 comment:

  1. I love your blog, but I need more updates! What, have you been busy lately or something? :)

    We love you! The wife & Caleb

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