Comments on: Does This Bother You?

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 05:13:53 +0000

I think it’s hilarious. I’m a registered Green, by the way.

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 21:17:05 +0000

I don’t view it as crass as much as it is almost ironic, at least for many Christians. Almost along the lines of Jesus saying, “I did not come to call the righteous.”

By: Marcguyver

Marcguyver — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 20:04:17 +0000

It’s just sad. Is someone happy about this or something? I mean really…YYYYEEEHHHAAAA the road to hell is paved with Republicans, and Democrats, and Libertarians, and oh crap…me?

It just seems like a very crass thing to say, regardless of what your political beliefs are.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 18:27:32 +0000

You’re right Joe, that wasn’t the main point. But there is a subtext.

By: Jason Allen

Jason Allen — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 03:49:26 +0000

I thought it was funny. Then I thought about it some more and I wonder, does it mean that republicans are even worse than (or lower than) those actually going to help b/c they are the road? Their not just going to hell their the road that all those going to hell walk on?

Of course it is a bumper sticker, maybe I’m thinking too much.

By: rev-ed

rev-ed — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 01:42:12 +0000

Interesting. I just stopped by a liberal blog who stated, “The Democrats cannot win because they walk the high moral ground.”

That idealistic young lady is blinded in much the same way those who marry Christianity and one of the political parties.

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 23:07:56 +0000

Exactly David.

By: David Wright

David Wright — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 23:02:27 +0000

I liked the sticker. Not because I think Republicans are worse than others, say, Democrats, but because they aren’t any better . . .

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 21:50:18 +0000

I agree Tim, bumper sticker theology is generally a waste of time. But I do not think the point is a theological one. I doubt the makers of it believe in a place called “hell.” Nor do I think the idea is that political affiliation secures eternal punishment. The point looks to be, that the Republican party cannot save you; there is corruption in that party; many in that party are not doing God’s work. With all of this I would agree, and of course would say the same for other parties. The sticker is ironic because many R’s and Christians come off like to be Christian = Republican.

But for argment’s sake, slogan theology (take the “solas” for example) does no good on its own. They need exposition. So let me do a little exposition on the sticker.

I do not think it minimizes sin, but accentuates it. The point being, even our morality, our traditional family values, cannot save us. There is hyocrisy everywhere. We should be willing, Like Isaiah, to confess the sins of our people. If you are a Christian who votes Republican, confess the sins of your people. If you are a Democrat, confess the sins of your people. And seek to follow Jesus as radically as necessary wherever you are.

In the end, bumper stickers, the “Jesus Fish” or the Darwin Fish, are not about what’s being said. They are about the owner of the vehicle. The point is nothing less than, “I want everyone to know something about me. This is what I beleve, or who I am.” Bumper stickers are about us, more than the issues. This is telling. It can even give us a great help in talking with people we work with, go to school with etc. It can be a peek into their minds/hearts. It’s possible. With that, we can go forward with the Gospel with greater precision.

Ultimately, this sticker is stupid. It is meaningless on its own. It’s good for a laugh among Deocrats (and even someone like me who has voted Republican in every election). But it can be more than that. That much is up to us.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 21:27:28 +0000

It bothers me for a couple of reasons. First, the idea that being a Republican (or any particular political party) will send on to hell rather than sin and rebellion against God. It diminishes the doctrine of sin.

Second it bothers me because it generalizes Republicans. Republicanism does not make you a bad person anymore than it makes you a Christian.

Bumper sticker theology is as problematic as bumper sticker politics.