Sometimes I see things that parade as Christian and I say, “I don’t understand.” One of my first encounters were the Testamints sold in Lifeway bookstores. Yeh, Testamints–mints with Scripture verse on them. What?!

Today’s sighting takes the cake: a van with “Did you hug Jesus today?” on it. I spotted this while at work today and ran outside and snapped a picture on my cellphone. This statement perturbs me (to put it lightly) big time. I see a couple problems with this:

First, what does this question mean? Is this implying one can hug Jesus? Because Jesus is at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33).

Second, is Jesus a big cuddling teddy bear that one hugs? Because Revelation shows Jesus coming back with a robe dipped in blood and a tattoo (Revelation 19:13).

Third, Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords before whom every knee will bow and confess his lordship; not hug. Does one hug the King of Kings? Does one hug the Lord of Lords?

Fourth, what would hugging Jesus accomplish for anyone? Salvation is accomplished by Jesus’ death on the cross and man’s repenting of sin and believing on him; not hugging it out.

Fifth, does this imply that one should hug Jesus daily if one does indeed hug Jesus?

Sixth, what does the author (sporting it on their van) hope to accomplish with this statement? Is this supposed to draw people to Christ? If so, which “Jesus” is it drawing them to? I’m a Christian and I “scoff” at this. What must others think? What view of Jesus does this give people? It seems to give the same view of Jesus as many contemporary Christian songs (“positive & encouraging” as K-LOVE says): he’s your boyfriend, you can hug him. Sounds a lot like dating a hippie.

I’m not all “hell fire and brimstone” (cf. Fred Phelps), but neither am I “Dr. Phil Jesus.” Jesus of the Bible is Jesus. What a concept.