Several months ago, I argued that there is a current and ongoing transformation in the image of Jesus, from a divine peacemaker to the
Terminator Jesus - perhaps, a reflection of our cultural values:
Jesus is becoming more manly, less feminine, able to take an earthly beating and provide an eternal one. Think Passion of Christ. In an age of cowboy diplomacy and unilateral militarism, this Jesus stands behind us, intimidating demon and unbeliever alike. Joe Six-pack has six-pack chiseled Jesus.
Well, I am here, thanks to reader Katie, to offer another example: a Missouri pastor is staging a
mixed martial arts cage-themed service on Easter in order to bring people into Church and reach out to those with a "disconnected" faith. The mixed martial arts is supposed to teach people about the suffering - the passion - Jesus endured while on the cross; apparently the strain of the fighters can teach people about the strain of Jesus on the cross. Glorious money quote:
"In the mixed martial arts arena, in that octagon, there's an expression. And that expression is, don't tap out. And [Jesus] didn't tap out," said Pastor Thomas Sykes. "He took every blow and he wound up becoming victorious."
Obviously, there won't actually be a fight, but the pastor is bringing in a fighter to relate to Jesus' struggles.
8 comments:
hahahaha!! remember that movie "Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter"? your blog just reminded me of it.
Powerless and aimless churches resort to sensationalism and theatrics to "attract." As an evangelical conservative -- I stand in awe of the things that can pass as Christianity these days.
Vince, yes, how could you forget that awful movie?!?
Kent, yes, this is laughable at best, and at worst, an atrocious mockery of our Christ's death and resurrection.
how could you say that was awful?? don't you remember when Jesus kicked the vampire in the shoe, causing her to slide 200 feet across a field and hit her head on a tree?? it's not often that movies are able to achieve such blissful heights of absurdity. I bet you think Evil Dead II is awful, too.
heretic.
Okay. I might be able to meet you at "blissful heights of absurdity." It definitely was a memorable movie. And, I haven't seen Evil Dead II in a long time, but if I remember correctly, yeah, kinda didn't like it. Maybe it's my serious nature.
Shouldn't you retitle this post as "Enter the Jesus"?
No way Jesus was an MMA fighter!
Everybody knows he loved Hannah Montana and delicious Subway brand sandwiches.
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