I will add some more notes and pictures soon, but briefly for now we talked about how many of the themes that the graffiti artist Banksy uses are the same issues that God spoke about through the Biblical prophets, and indeed themes voiced by Jesus: peace, justice, hope and anti-consumerism.We thought that the image here, of Jesus with shopping bags, highlighted the fact that many of Jesus' followers care more about possessions than following Jesus to the cross. The juxtaposition of the shopping bags and the crucifixion shows how incompatible the two things should be. Could this painting be a message from God to people caught up in prosperity gospel teachings (the belief that God's followers feel themselves entitled to be blessed with riches and health in this world) ?
8 comments:
Found this on YouTube last night afterwards; this is just so Biblical - an elephant in your room but you can't see it. Wake up! Very good see here/
We discussed if someone can speak for God who isn't Christian... not sure if it's relevant, but Balaam's Ass comes to mind. If the principle of God using a female animal to speak when someone who should know better can't see what should be obvious, I would extrapolate from that a big Y E S...
Yes - about shop - I was sitting down with them behind the counter on Thursday afternoon. Has happened several times the 'religious hate'. Absolutely appalling. It's not what Jesus would do. I think he'd be more incensed at the hatred.
Re : language - couldn't agree more. One of the reasons I try to keep slightly on the coarser side of vocab (when appropriate), but not provocative.
I recall the Aussie bloke John Smith seriously cheesing off much of Spring Harvest one year by using the F word at a late night chat venue!
I've just chanced on this blog. I so would have loved this evening being a huge fan of Banksy's stuff. I'm based in Stockport so you're a bit far but in any event its been and gone! I await your further notes with much interest. Cheers!
That image is nothing short of blasphemous.
If the webmaster is a truly converted believer, one who has repented of their sins and trusted in Christ alone for salvation, they will remove it immediately.
Exodus 20:4-6.
Again, I'll reply more fully when I have more time, but that picture isn't an idol. An idol is something created by people to worship. You aren't meant to worship that picture. But perhaps it makes a point that some Christians tend to worship material possessions and that might annoy Jesus?
Forgive my mate. He gets a bit carried away at times although he's a truly born again believer and means well.
Sadly many Christians do worship material things and it seems that in this day and age few are willing to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow him.
Post a Comment