I just saw another example of how sick the church is in America, The Jesus Cookie. The “testimonial” of the effectiveness of this “ministry” resource says,
One day, my children and I had taken some freshly baked Jesus cookies to a bank. People were coming from all corners of the bank to see what the delicious smell was. We shared the cookies and a particular bank employee, dressed in a suit and well over 6 feet tall stood enjoying his cookie. My younger son looked up at the man and said, “Oh, you just ate a green jellybean, green represents God’s jealousy because He wants us to have no other gods before Him”. The man looked at the cookie and smiled at my son and thought for a moment and then walked away. We never know how such a seemingly small act could potentially be life changing for someone we may meet only once.
Am I being too harsh by saying, this is crazy! Have we boiled down the most menial action to be a form of evangelism? Also, why is it that we have to “Christianize” everything? Why is this called a “Jesus Cookie?” Doesn’t this just bring Jesus down to a level whereby we create an image of Him that is just blasphemous? Is this taking the first step on the road to idolatry by making “Jesus” so common? Jesus is one step away from being the Pillsbury Dough-Boy. Also, notice the fundraising options available to you. I think this is the real purpose behind the cookie; make a buck by being “spiritual” through hawking the “Jesus Cookie.”
I think it is more a case of exploiting a wealthy consumer base with crap nobody needs. Like most “Christian” consumables, Jesus cookies should be avoided. I’m not sure it is idolatrous, but it is definitely stupid.
I cringe when I see things like this. It portrays an image of of Christianity that I don’t want to be associated with. Also, the “give ’em a cookie, explain the Gospel” evangelism technique is not a good one- unless they revisit (and perhaps give another cookie:P) each week and build a relationship with all those people. I’m curious, what other “Christian” consumables are you talking about, Ryan?
Not too harsh at all. This kind of dumbed-down, feelings based approach to evangelism is why the church in America has so little influence.
My rule of thumb, anything that looks like a secular product but substitutes a Bible theme and costs 5 bucks more.
O’ Ryan that is a clever “rule of thumb.”
Reminds me of Stuff Christians Like #557, “Creating Tracts That Look Like Money:”
Not a fan of the fake money, and Christians are the worst tippers in resturants as a rule, but the question I would ask everyone here (including myself)
….have we done anything more than giving out a cookie this week to spread the Gospel? If not then that goofy Jesus cookie is more of an effort than you or I have done so I won’t judge that it’s too commercial or too weak of an effort. Most of us stay in our own comfort zones and never reach out to anyone.
So is it better to just do nothing….or hand out a Jesus cookie?
C.A. Good point. It is vital to make sure we don’t ridicule without examining ourselves. So, I will answer you. Yes, I have. I have sought on two occasions this week to get to know particular people and turn the conversation toward Jesus in a natural way.
How about you?
I ask because there are times that I too can point the finger back at people to check their motives and realize that this is simply another way to deflect a lack of personal responsibility. We are good at lying or tricking ourselves are we not? We can, at times, call for others to check their motives when in reality it is another smoke-screen to throw people off the scent that we (the one doing the questioning) is not living-out what “we” really believe.
Only aiming at “people” who do this…
I personally used to use the “here’s a cookie, ya gonna take it?” approach and was frustrated that it didn’t produce the effects I wanted, or any “real”, long-lasting fruit. Then I realized the Gospel isn’t just about sharing the ABC’s of Christianity in one sitting- you HAVE to build relationships with people. It takes time and cultivation. It is more difficult and time-consuming, but I think it is the way to do it “properly.” I intentionally build this in my life and yes, I have done this this week. BTW, I’m not claiming that I do the Holy Spirit’s work; just informing and directing. 🙂
Sounds good.
Note: I would NOT say that you HAVE to build a relationship to the degree that you mention. The only requirement that HAS to be present is the Gospel message. Although the idea of proclamation is to many out of touch, it is clearly modeled in the New Testament (Peter at Pentecost, Philip with the Ethiopian Eunuch, Paul at Mars Hill, etc.). I think your requirement of MUST having a deeper relationship prior to extending he hope that is offered in Christ is adding something that reflects more of what you desire than what is necessary. Don’t be concerned of simply extending the Gospel in a raw, unfiltered way.
After all, Jesus was the most unfiltered preacher the world has ever seen.
Dan, I agree. I am not oppose to extending the Gospel in a raw, unfiltered way- I guess I just haven’t done it very well and worry that I’ve done more damage than good with that approach. As for doing so with Jesus cookies, I would rather that part be left out. It’s just a bit creepy and forced in my opinion.
I take the opposite approach that O’Ryan does. Jesus cookies, Buddha cookies, Mohammed cookies, even Atheist cookies … I’ll eat any of ’em.
Mmmmmmmm, cookies.
OH, I’ll eat um, I just wont buy um.