Found these via del.icio.us (of course) at a site called ThinkChristian.net.
First, one of the videos:
So…
Now, there are things I like about these videos, and things I’m not sure about. If you visit the link above to ThinkChristian, there are a lot of interesting comments about the videos, some critical, some positive, and some just thoughtful.
They’re a pretty clever parody in the PC/Mac ads, of course. In the Apple ads, the PC isn’t really a bad guy; he actually comes across as likable, if a bit goofy. The intention in the original ads seems to be something like, “It’s not like PCs are evil… you just want to identify with the Mac more.” In the same way, the “Christian” in these ads is not a “bad guy” — he just seems a bit… goofy. The “Christ-follower” is the cooler of the two, is less uptight, and certainly less legalistic (Christianese alert; Wikipedia has a reasonable definition).
The “Christian no more” end line does bother me a little bit. Perhaps it’s a sacred cow or a personal bias, but it doesn’t seem necessary to abandon a term in favor of a new, vaguely self-righteous one (Christ-follower?). Whether it’s intentional or not, contrasting the “Christian” and the “Christ-follower” implies that there is a dichotomy — especially given the tag line at the end. The “Christ-follower” is not a “Christian,” and has no need to call himself that. Unfortunately, this implies that the “Christian” is not a “Christ-follower.”
These are ads that a lot of people will like. They are also ads that a lot of people will hate. I expect there will be a large number of people with my stance, that is… I want to like the ads, but there are things about them that bother me.
Please… discuss.
I can tell you I really enjoyed the good-natured jab at Christian bumper stickers! I have always detested (a strong word, but it fits how I feel) the “commercialization of Christianity” (or should I say Americanization) that has permeated the church. This especially pertains to bumper stickers. They reduce Christ to a clever gimmick on a beat-up Geo Metro. How many bumper stickers have gotten someone saved? But I digress….The video itself was well done (I only watched the one), and it speaks to the fact that legalism will really get you nowhere–except make you look rigid, stiff, and boring. It’s all good…until the weird “Christian no More” thing at the end. Like you, Phil, maybe the label Christian IS a sacred cow, but I AM a Christian, and I certainly don’t act like that dorky guy with his stack of Christian-eze books and his black market bumper stickers :)I’m rambling. Clever videos. Like you, I find myself wanting to like them (because I love the Mac vs. PC ones), but I just can’t. Remember that Christ did call us OUT from the world…we are not to just “blend in.” We are a peculiar people, after all.
The video I linked is one of the better ones; there are 4 altogether (at least, on YouTube). I like the first two a little more than the last two.
I think any Christian will agree with the main point of the videos — that being, Christianity doesn’t consist of your bumper stickers, what you wear to church, or even the music you listen to; it’s about what you believe. If that’s the main point, and I think it is, then I like it.
Unfortunately, there is a wee bit of “humbler-than-thou”-ness tossed into them somehow; I’m not sure if that’s the right way to put it, but there’s a few things about them I just don’t dig.
And… “…clever gimmick on a beat-up Geo Metro”? Surely you meant a “shiny new BMW, Cadillac, or Mercedes”… O ye of little faith. ;-) (I am totally just kidding… Ha. Ahem.)
I have a different take. I like CCC of Naperville, it’s a good place, but I think they’re off-base here, because this appears condescending. Hey, I agree with the sentiment. Unfortunately it appears mostly judgmental and rude.
Here’s my take:
http://fromthemorning.blogspot.com/2006/12/im-christian-mac-vs-pc-parody.html
Phil -
Like you and Andy, I find myself wanting to like these videos - they’re fun, and they poke at a stereotype that often gives Christians an unpopular reputation. I know I don’t want to be lumped in with someone with such a narrow view of Christianity - I want to be identified as a Christian in the way Christ told the disciples that they would be identified - by my love. There are a few movements world-wide that are dropping the “Christian” label in favor of “Christ Followers” or “Followers of The Way”. I love that the focus isn’t on rules, or “do”s and “do not”s, but on living by the example of Jesus. Mainstream Christianity has kind of turned churches into a safe haven for Christians, instead of a safe haven for the hurting. BUT, I’m honored to carry the label of Christian. It is my goal to be Christ-like, whatever it is called - and I’m going to do what I can to reverse the reputation that legalistic and ignorant Christians have earned! I could go on and on about this, but the fact is that we can live life concerned with labels - we need to live life being concerned with how closely that life resembles Christ’s (loving everyone, especially those that no one else thought were deserving of such love).
I sent my original comments to Phil by email, because commenting was being iffy with me :(
However, a question to you all: who are these videos aimed at? Most of the negative reaction I’ve seen seems to imply that the commentators think they’re an evangelistic resource of some sort, and thus that sharing them with non-Christians will have a negative impact.
I’m not so sure. I think they’re aimed as a discussion pointer for Christian groups, or, at a reach, the “top end” of the “seeker” range.
I honestly don’t have a problem with them. Yes, they’re a little “black and white”, and perhaps a little condescending at times. But they’re great discussion starters, as has been quite obviously proved by the discussions here and elsewhere on the internet.
I truly hope that my church will sometime produce good quality multimedia content like this. Oh, and as I commented to my friend yesterday, “it’s funny because it’s true”….
I think that’s a valid point — I’ve thought about reposting our email comments to the blog, but I hadn’t got around to asking you if you’d mind.
Like I’ve said a few times, I like the main message of the ads: that your Christianity is about what you believe and how that affects your life; not necessarily how you dress, what bumper stickers you have, or what you listen to on your iPod.
But I think your point is a valid one, and worth pointing out. For the intended audience, these are certainly intended to be more reminder of what’s really important, and also to be conversation starters for discussions just like this one… in which case, they’re doing a great job, IMHO.
(Yes, you can post my email comments to the blog)