America's McJesus

 McJesus, by Jani Leinonen, “Sacred Goods," Haifa, Israel 

This week, as I sat at my computer browsing through some of the art featured in the "Sacred Goods" exhibit in Haifa, Israel, I was drawn to the sculpture created by Jani Leinonen entitled, "McJesus". Recently, this sculpture has been the cause of protests by the Catholic church in Israel, as they seek a court order to have this sculpture removed from the exhibit.

As my mind began to process the image of Ronald McDonald hanging on a cross, reminiscent of Jesus' sacrifice for sin, I recalled some of the discussions of Francis Schaeffer regarding art. In "How Should We Then Live", he spoke of how art is often a window that provides a view of how society around us interprets the world. For Christians, this means that as we examine art, listen to the radio, or watch television we should be aware that we are hearing another person's commentary on life.

This exhibit was about how consumerism has become a religion of its own. That each day, countless people continue the process of searching for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment, not through religious activities, but through the pursuit of possessions. There is also another message, the statement that there are individuals who possess only a superficial interest in Christianity who ignore any philosophical or ethical implications of their "faith".

I thought back to earlier discussions that had taken place during Bible study earlier in the week regarding the second chapter of James.

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what food is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

As we discussed the relationship between faith and works, we concluded that Scripture views them as inseparable, that how we act is an expression of what we believe. Where James would say that faith without works is a dead (James 2:17), Paul would agree that our faith is revealed by our works of love (Gal 5:6). This is why he calls us to consider our actions in a similar manner to Paul, who also calls us to examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5).

As we examine ourselves in light of this faith/works relationship, we are safeguarded from two things.

We realize that faith apart from works is empty. It is a dead faith. Our salvation depends on more than a mere belief in the existence of Jesus. James goes on to say that "even the demons believe" (James 2:19), and Jesus himself said that there will be some that, in effect, know about Jesus, but did not have a relationship with him (Matt 7:21-23). So salvation is more than just knowledge about the person of Jesus.

We also realize that works in themselves are a dead end. Salvation is not earned by the completion of a checklist but is offered on the basis of Christ's perfect work for us. It is by faith that we trust in the finished work of Jesus rather than place our confidence in our own righteousness, of which we have none, our works are as lawless deeds before a Holy God (Rom 4:1-8).

It is through this lens that we see salvation. It is through this faith/works relationship that we believe (John3:16), and that this belief is manifested by our actions (John 3:21). Christianity is about belief and action, our faith (trust/confidence) is in Jesus's work as Savior, and our work is an expression and demonstration of our obedience to Jesus as Lord.

Salvation, by faith justified, by works exemplified.