InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, an evangelical campus mission, was handing out these cards at a recruitment event at MIT last fall. What a great discussion starter!
Even among Christians, there is no consensus on exactly who Jesus is, or on what cultural / political / religious icons he most closely resembles. I guess growing up, I tended to see Jesus as a Jiminy Cricket sort of fellow. You know, as a conscience to whom I could “give a little whistle” when I got in trouble or faced temptation. As a buddy who looks out for me and helps me out of scrapes.
As a teenager, I tended to associate Jesus more with George Bush: a political conservative and promoter of American values. In my mind, Jesus was a Republican, which to me meant anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage, and pro-capital punishment.
The more I grew in my faith, though, the more I saw Jesus as a Mother Teresa, one who ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and all the other outcasts of society. One who radically and sacrificially gave. I tend to cling to this image still today.
Which of these icons were you taught that Jesus most resembles? Have your views of Jesus changed since you were a kid? What do you think is the most prevailing image that comes to mind when people think “Jesus” today?
The Jesus Question 