OK, I was walking through a local bookstore the other day, not a Christian bookstore, just a run-of-the-mill mainstream bookseller with two-floors and comfy chairs and I ran across a rack full of Christian kitsch. The small section was full of all the usual T-shirts, decals and mugs that make most pastors cringe. The small section seemed like a strange addition in the middle of the store. I wondered what people thought as they walked by this rack–did it give them inspiration, hope and clarity about the mission of Christ? Or, was it laughable, cliche and a poor reminder that there will always be a wave of “Christian” apparel that, though it tries to do something for the mission, in the end, it just falls flat. Like this:
No, Jesus is not my easy button, thank you.
It’s a reminder to me that we have this penchant to make things seem less confrontational, less costly and more convenient in church-world. (And, I know the passage where Jesus says His yoke is easy, but that is not this.)
Come to think of it, I’m waiting for the T-shirt that says, “Unless you hate your mother and father you can’t love me.” I’m thinking those would sell like hotcakes.
Dibs on the copyright.
