BUMPER STICKER THEOLOGY

While shopping online for some Christmas gifts these past few days, I had come across many quaint and quippy slogans or mantras that have been pasted on everything from pens to cars. You know what I mean, you have been seeing these things in your holiday shopping as well. And it’s not just something new that retailers are doing this year, they have been doing it for as long as I can remember.

Some of these slogans are cute or funny. Some are true, some false; some political, some apolitical. Some are religious and therefore deserve a bit more scrutiny than the others because they invoke scripture in many cases. So, I began looking at these slogans with a more biblical focus, rather than entertaining eyes and here are a few that unnerved me the most.

NUMBER 1

This is a play off of the ”got milk” slogan from a few years back. This one makes me twitch because RELIGION never saved anybody! Untold millions of people ”got religion” of one stripe or another, and they are going to hell. Why, because they don’t have Jesus Christ! A better sign would be ”IN Christ?”

Number 2

This one just makes it appear that Christians may not be able to come all the way and love like Christ Jesus loves. That forgiveness with Christ is possible but perhaps not with us! This sticker fails in portraying the ”love your neighbor as yourself” teaching of scripture.

NUMBER 3

Need I say anything? Try Jesus? Like we try different food items? Like we try out various sports? Try Him out like we would the millions of self-help theologies out there? The bible says: ”Look unto me and be saved.” ”That whosoever believeth in me.” ”repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”

We do not try Jesus out to see if He fits our choosing. We humble ourselves under His mighty hand so thankful HE CHOSE US!

NUMBER 4

This one is a play off of the Coke logo. Just what does it mean that enjoying Jesus Christ relieves thirst? I have been In Christ for 30 years and I have been thirsty everyday of my life! Spiritually speaking the statement is more confusing. ”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). Do I believe the bible or the bumper sticker? Just joking, the Bible always!

NUMBER 5

This one appears to be using the Christmas story, and in particular, the wise men from the east who arrived in Jerusalem looking for the ”King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:1-2). The problem that should be obvious with this sticker is that the Bible tells us that ”there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God” (Romans 3:11).

Paul is speaking about sin fallen human beings lefts to themselves and without divine intervention. I do not think the writer of this bumper sticker had that in mind!

These are a few that irked me more than most. Perhaps you have some you would like to share, I would be happy to hear from you.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas.