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Today's Paper
OUR PICKS:
I have long liked the use of the “Jesus Fish” as a symbol. No doubt you have seen this icon. It can be found on cars, business cards, and is even incorporated into the signage of businesses.
Recently, I passed a gun shop that had used the “Jesus Fish” on its sign. What is going on here? From a reading of the stories of Jesus that are contained in the Bible, it would be a stretch to imagine Jesus carrying a semi-automatic. Is this not strange to anyone else?
Let’s broaden the question; what is being communicated by the use of this religious symbol on the back of a car on the freeway? Is this a good “Christian” person? Are they courteous on the road or do they cut you off without regard? Do they obey the traffic laws or are they prone to speeding? Again, what does this symbol mean? What might this tell us about the driver/owner of the vehicle and the way that they interact with others on the road?
Although we don’t have a definitive “first use” of the fish symbol, it was used among early Christians. It was actually adopted from the pagan world’s symbolic lexicon and was used by Greeks, Romans, and even Celts. The legend that is commonly told is that Christians would use the fish symbol during times of persecution to identify fellow believers. Upon meeting a stranger, one person would draw an arch in the sand. If the other person was a Christian, they too would draw an upside down arch to complete the fish symbol.
Adding to the legitimacy of the fish as a secret symbol for Christianity was that the Greek word for fish was Ichthus. Using each letter of this word in an acrostic manner, you could spell out the phrase: Jesus Christ, Son of God. In a hostile world, in which such a belief ran aground of the power of the Roman Empire (which made the same claim about Caesar), it was best to keep such faith statements among fellow believers.
In the 1970s, the Jesus Fish resurged as a popular symbol. Instead of being “secret,” it was a very public way of indicating Christian identity and pride. Disciples, followers of Jesus, help to “fish” for people by sharing their faith with others. What is more, the Jesus Fish is a catchy logo that is pleasing to the eye, with its gentle curves and uncomplicated design.
Back to the use of this symbol… Is it simply to let others know which “team” we are on, like those who will be wearing Broncos or Panthers merchandise this weekend for the big game? Christians get to wear crosses and Jesus Fish; Jews have the Star of David; Muslims have the Star and Crescent. After all, in a sport-obsessed culture, everyone needs to be on a team! When businesses use religious symbols they are intentionally marketing to a particular “faith team.” In a place where the majority of folks are of the same religion (or at least are not opposed to that religion) this can be a lucrative strategy.
But what does it really mean to be on the Jesus Fish team? Christians, what does it really mean to follow Jesus? Surely, it can’t just be to wear a jersey and cheer for the Son of God on Sundays? Being a Lutheran pastor, I quote Martin Luther from time to time. Talking about what makes a Christian a Christian, Luther wrote, “If he is a Christian tailor, he will say: I make these clothes because God has bidden me do so, so that I can earn a living, so that I can help and serve my neighbor. When a Christian does not serve the other, God is not present; that is not Christian living.” (“Sermon in the Castle Church at Weimar,” 1522).
It seems to me that the bottom line is this; if you are a Christian then you will love your neighbor and follow Jesus, with or without a Jesus Fish symbol. The act of loving is the ultimate and defining mark of being a disciple of Jesus. Love can’t be worn on your sleeve or affixed to your vehicle. Christian love is active beyond the self and embraces the neighbor, regardless of whether that neighbor is on the same “faith team.” If you don’t love, then please take the symbol off your car, because you are false advertising and giving the rest of us who are trying a bad name.
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