Christ belongs to everyone who accepts him as his personal savior. What I'm referring to is, perhaps, the version of Christ that the Adventists conceptualize. It's safe to assume that the painting on the cover of Steps to Christ was done by an Adventist artist in the tradition of Harry Harrison and others. If not, it is a Christ that the publishers of this seminal classic feel comfortable with.I'm also thinking about the lifestyle that Adventists live, e.g., healthy, charitable, Sabbath-oriented, that colors the version of Christ that Adventists believe in.
Some other Christians might feel comfortable inviting Christ to a wedding with dancing or drinking. Others might feel very comfortable inviting Christ to the movies or the theater to see a play with them about modern concerns. Other Christians might feel comfortable inviting Christ to a major casino with Las Vegas type shows. The list goes on and on.
The Adventist Christ tends to be a very strait-laced one. Ellen White says that Christ never joked around or was flippant at any time. Of course, if he saw something naturally humorous, the Adventist Christ could very well chuckle, but not engage in uproarious laughter. What could be so funny that would make the King of Kings laugh non-stop for several minutes? Nothing I'm afraid. Divine humor, if it exists, is very seldom in play.
Have Adventists remade Christ in their own image for better or for worst? Let's pray that we don't change him more than is necessary. Let's pray that we don't envision Christ in ways that make him less desirable to those just learning about him.
I prefer to think of a Christ that is forever smiling and sitting by my side as I live, and breathe, and, yes, laugh.
The simple fact of the matter is that we all do this. It is for this reason that we need other folks to help us gain a wider view...
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting that many Americans of many denominations make Jesus into a conservative republican. While our progressive friends make him into a postmodern gotee wearing cleric sipping a coffee at starbucks. And others make him into a marxist revolutionary.
Simply put, it is very difficult not to be guilty of this to some extent...but liek I said...let us talk and interact with others who may help us see those tendencies in Jesus that our own vision will keep up from seeing...