Look at the image below. What do you think when you see that? Before you read the context behind it under the image, what’s your initial reaction?
Someone sent me this after my fourth of July post (I think they thought it would be right up my alley). I did some research on it and found out , this statue was built about 2 years ago by a church in Memphis, TN. If you haven’t figured it out yet, the building in the background is a church. It’s World Overcomers a “mega church” that includes “a school, a bowling alley, a roller rink, a bookstore and…12,000 members.”
Now after my post last week you know how much I love our country. You also know, if you are a regular reader, that I want Jesus to be recognized as Lord over the whole world – especially our little corner here in Coweta/Fayette. That being said there is something me that says that statue isn’t right. What do you think?
6 comments:
I understand the idea that many churches, especially evangelical ones, cherish this nation and demonstrate their devotion to her proudly. But there is something disturbing to me about replacing a symbol of enlightenment (the torch) with the holiest of Christian symbols (the cross). The nature of the secular/political liberty that is celebrated in the statue is such that anyone of any (or no) faith can find refuge here. It is up to us as believers to forge the relationships with them that will bring them to Christ. And even though I think of myself as somewhat iconoclastic, I think that using the cross as seen in the photo is cheap and degrading.
I think that Jefferson would be upset. People often forget that the separation of Church and State is primarily to protect the Church. I understand their sentiment and appreciate their desire for all to know Jesus, but it seems that they are being obnoxious in how they do it. If i were to dry past and were not a Christian the message i would get is that i am not welcome in the United States. This is not being inclusive. You could be just as effective by standing outside Wal-Mart with a bull horn.
Dennis hit that one right out of the park.
I do not question that the members of this church are devoted to CHRIST. I only question when any one tries to use the nation state as the arbiter of "any" religion.
As a believer I constantly struggle with balancing the evangelical instinct against religious fundamentalism. I might be wrong but for me "religion" has almost a negative connotation. Its about CHRIST and my relationship with him, not what any particular sect has to say about how that relationship should be formed.
Sadly across the world and through out history we see that the most egregious of acts have been committed in the name of GOD.
Our nation was founded on christian principles but also as Dennis pointed out, as a refuge for anyone not just Christians.
Give unto Caesar that which is Caesars. Give unto GOD that which is GOD'S.
Now I just wish our Cesar would be happy with 10% but that's another discussion altogether.
I opened this up with Emma, our (Rob and I) 3 year old next to me. This is how it went.
"Oh my gosh!"
"what do you see, Em?"
"The king she holding Jesus."
I think that is true. The "king" tries to hold Jesus instead of letting Jesus hold the "king". Our forefathers were held by Jesus tight and created the greatest country in the world. Everything they did was based on Biblical doctrine. They spoke often, in public, of God's grace and love.
This picture gives me the creeps.
What creeps me out too is that 12, 000 people have holed themselves up spiritually, academically and socially in a compund instead of remaining in society to minister and witness. If the 12 disciples and Christ followers of their time holed themselves up, we would still be lost, hopeless and clueless.
It's not right because the real Statue of Liberty only has a small moustache,,,,
rofl
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