Tuesday, 07 October 2008
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How deep the Father's love for us
I wanted to write on this a while ago. The time got away from me.
We have a lot of artsy people in our church. The use of this image as a backdrop for worship offended some of them enough that they sent letters to our worship leader stating just that. That got me thinking about a few things.
There is talk in our circles about "redeeming" parts of our culture for spiritual use. For the most part, I think this is Biblical and right. I think Paul and Solomon have done that in their writings. I think John alludes to culture in the begininning of his Gospel. I'm all for redeeming culture so long as it doesn't mean taking it out of context.
There was enough controversy about this art piece 20 years ago, when it first was displayed. I'm under the impression that it was meant to be derogatory. And if in fact that is its context, I think it's the perfect backdrop for worship. I wouldn't have it any other way. I have yet to see a better picture, hear a better poem, or contrive a better analysis of what our sin is, and how humiliating it was for the Christ to bear it. Piss Christ is exactly what we have done.
Perhaps being offended is the correct response. So often we are bothered by the sin of others, yet our own sin seems to be excused in our own eyes. I know that when I heard about the letters Scott received, I had one of those moments where I felt God saying to me, "You are (were?) that man!" And as soon as I realized it, worship was the only thing I could do. But alas, I had my own son in my arms, and couldn't join in the conversation. So I'm writing it here.
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
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Comments (3)
Not to be nitpicky, as we're all entitled to our own opinions, but if the intent of that piece of "art" was to be derogatory to the Christian faith, doesn't that violate your own standard of not "not taking it out of context?"
Yes, it is possible to view that image as a symbol of the incredible humiliation Jesus underwent to bear our sents (i.e. the artist recognizes that Jesus' actions were deregotary to Him), but it seems both the "artist," and public opinion, and you yourself think that the deregation he meant to communicate was about Jesus and/or the Christian faith (i.e. the artist views Jesus and/or His church as contemptible).
All that is to say that I can see why people in your community view this as offensive, and suggest to you with all Christian charity that they might have good reason to...
@manhouser - what I mean is that I see who I am in the artist. Further, I don't think this piece needs to be "redeemed" at all. It says enough just the way it is. It shows hatred toward God. This is something of which I, too, am guilty. It says, "I'm a sinner, and I'm NOT sorry." This is who I am if not for that cross. The urine is mine. I have stood in the place of the artist, and for a reason unknown to me, God chose not to leave me standing there. It was grace that caused my heart to fear.
In fact, I think I can identify with all of the pieces there. I think it can give a pretty good view of the cross we are meant to bear. The humiliation is ours as well.
@rdgardner - I see where you are coming from. However, I do enough to humiliate him by my actions, words, and deeds. I scarce to think I would go the extra mile and put it art form. However, your right. It was my piss. It is my disdain for him that put him there.