Excellent parodies of the Mac/PC commericals from Community Christian Church:
– ht to ysmarko –
UPDATE: The church that produced these videos now has hi-re versions available for purchase, in case you want to show them in your church or group.
Christian vs. Christ-follower
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November 1, 2006 at 14:45
Hey, I like your vids. I would go into detail about how much I agree with the idea expressed in each one, but I think its enough to just say, I like it, its contemporary, truthful, and… well… like you say… “christian” no more. So keep it up! ttyl
November 1, 2006 at 17:38
I think there is a danger with the video that it will have the opposite of its intended effect which hopefully is to allow the Christian to relax a little around others so that both of you have a chance to look inwardly when one is discussing God’s word and what a relationship with Jesus means. After all we are supposed to grow in him and reflect his image but though we strive for perfection – we also realize that there are times that when we are weak we can be strong because our help comes from the Lord.
But some people may not see the other person as mocking Christians and pretending to be a Christian when he is really just chilling out and being everything to every body not necessarily trying that hard to win some.
November 1, 2006 at 18:35
Normally I would love a video series like this one. But I don’t think alienating an entire Christian sub-culture is what a “Christ-follower” would do. But Jesus DID exhort the Pharisees and hypocrites of His day, so maybe it’s just the slight undertone of arrogance in this video series that catches my attention. We’re all brothers and sisters, and while we don’t all get along or agree on petty differences I don’t think we need to fight fire with fire by making fun of others.
November 1, 2006 at 18:56
Some of this makes me a little nervous.
Can we simply keep our old listening habits and not be affected by them?
Yes, I understand that he specifically references the pretty harmless U2 but giving carte-blanche to listen to whatever you like is not right. Not only is most of the music in the world not God-honoring, much of it is actively opposed to the things that a Christ-follower should be filling his head with and filling his heart with.
Yes, I’m a classic rock fan. No, I’m not fond of much of the contemporary Christian garbage that’s out there. But we are understating the power that music holds to shape our thoughts and our hearts.
The implication that a christ-follower can listen to anything and be as worldly as the rest of the population and still be a christ-follower is, in my view, completely wrong.
Phillipians 4:8. “Whatever is true…”
November 1, 2006 at 19:31
Great Videos! I think this hits the nail on the head. We need to be less Religious and more Christ Like! Less on hypocrisy and more on the side of Genuine disciples of Jesus.
I think with these videos we need to get less focused on the details of what was said and more focused on the fact that saying, doing and listening to all the “right things” is not what Christ is looking for in his Followers.
November 1, 2006 at 20:16
I guess I ought to like the videos, I love clever parodies, but they feel a little smarmy and self righteous. “We’re the real Christ followers, you’re not”
I like clever parodies but here’s the problem. The guy in the suit is my Dad. He loves the Lord with all his heart but was brought up in a generation that dressed up to go to church. He only listens to Hymns or classical music. He sent my younger brother to Christian School. He always carries the Bible, he loves it. He reads a lot of Christian books. I suppose I am a little bit like the other guy…I listen to Jazz, rock, blues, roots, folk and Christian music and I wear jeans to church. But I love my Dad and we sit in the same pew every Sunday and worship together.
I can understand mocking pharisees, but I really want to make sure they are the bad kind. The kind that are “white-washed tombs filled with dead-mens bones”, who withold money from poor parents, who are “son of hell” as he calls them in Matt 23, not just culturally stunted. Does anyone doubt that underneath the guy in the suit loves the Lord? Paul and Nicodemus were pharisees too.
I’m with Kirby. Plus I think U-2 is a shibboleth.
November 1, 2006 at 20:53
Two thoughts:
First, the quality of the videos is really great. The actors get the comic timing down perfectly.
Secondly, in response to some of the comments above—you guys make some good points, but I think you might be taking the videos a bit too seriously. When I watched the videos I saw Christians poking fun at some of their own foibles and making some clever points in the process—I didn’t sense any mean-spirited mockery of other Christians. Heaven knows I’ve exactly fit, at times in my life, some of the stereotypes they’re teasing; but it’s fun to have a laugh at our own expense sometimes.
November 1, 2006 at 22:32
After being away from church for about 20 years I thought I needed to be like the guy on the left. (You should see my stack of Bibles.) Now after 18 months back I am finding I identify with, and aspire to be more like the guy on the right.
But I am just one person. I have come across both “lefties” and “righties” that I respect and admire. The key is can both of these well intentioned people look at each other through the loving eyes of Jesus, not the judgmental eyes of man?
November 2, 2006 at 08:28
I’m a little confused by the first one – what’s wrong with books? Study is a spiritual discipline. Reading the Bible, devotionals, and yes, even “rule books” of ethics has a long and honorable history within the church. The video reminds me a little bit too much of the “cool kids” who made fun of me and my friends for loving books.
Apple wants consumers to see Macs as “cool” so that sales will increase, but that’s the wrong message entirely for Christians, Christ-followers, or whatever you want to call yourself. (Considering that the word “Christian” is one of the few trappings of the modern church that dates to the New Testament – Acts 11:26 – we should be cautious about devaluing the word. There might be more impact in reinvesting the word with its true meaning.) I would love to see a more conservative church create a parody going the opposite direction – though their PCs would probably crash before they could finish editing their video.
November 2, 2006 at 08:52
Wow. I missed the parody of BOTH sides. What I did not miss was an arrogance that looks nothing like Jesus.
Acts 11:26 ”...; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” NASB
Acts 26:28 “And Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.’” NASB
So you want to be a Christ follower. Jesus speaking – “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 11:38,39 NASB
If the answer is anything other than Jesus walking with us, dying for us and rising to intercede for us with the Father than you have found the wrong answer. A more culturally hip Christ Follower is still focusing on the fact that he has found his life and therefore he can walk confidantly before God and look down on others both Christian and non-christian. None of us are very good followers or representatives. That is, to borrow a phrase from a great writer, what is so amazing about grace.
November 2, 2006 at 11:02
Sometimes I really, really don’t like living on the West Coast. By the time I read the Think Christian dispatch, all the good comments have been taken! ;]
Mark (No. 12): I agree that calling one’s self a Christian is nothing to be ashamed of. Call me a dinosaur at 35, but if it’s in the Bible, it’s “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16)
Having said that, I can see where Christ-followers are coming from. I’m halfway through “Leadership Next: Changing Leaders In A Changing Culture”, Eddie Gibbs’ exploration of how the postmodern world has changed how churches carry on their business of evangelizing. Gibbs is a professor of church growth at Fuller Seminary and frequently holds seminars on the emerging church. It’s required reading for one of my seminary courses. Regardless of one’s opinion on the Emerging Church, I would strongly recommed this book.
November 2, 2006 at 12:42
There are a lot of good points in these videos and I got a smile from most of it. What I noticed most was in the first video the ‘Christ-follower’ didn’t have or recognize the ‘manual’..the Bible. Although there are times that religious study gets over-done, the core truths of Christ and his followers are in the Bible. God’s Holy word is what we need to keep us centered – Acts 17:11. How can we effective follow Christ and be His example to the world if we don’t know His teachings? Give the Christ follower a Bible.
November 2, 2006 at 18:58
Funny, but I would like the “Christ Follower” to be a little less arrogant & a little more loving. We can witness to people w/o having a self righteous attitude about it. What’s the old saying, “You catch more flies w/ honey than w/ vinegar?” (Hope I didn’t accidentally post this twice; I don’t think it went through the first time!)
November 2, 2006 at 23:45
Hmmm.
Obvious contrast, that’s for sure. However, i don’t believe everyone that wears a suit and tie is just putting on a display. You can take the same stand from an opposite view, not every person in casual dress is ‘not’ putting on a display either. You see, it comes from within the heart. God does looks upon the heart, appearances are not the deciding factor by God’s judgement, although you may be able to discern by them what YOU should do.
I happen to have ‘christian’ friends in many different shapes and styles. The point is not to be a judge but to be a “servant” of the Most High. So what will you do with the videos? So what will you do with your heart? Will you build up or tear down? Will you seek peace or cause friction? Will you exhort or exhasperate? The choice is yours, the choice is mine, the One we will give account to is God.
November 3, 2006 at 23:05
I’m not sure what I enjoyed more. The videos or some of the responses. I love these videos because they use humor to cut to the heart of where we are. I can always tell when something makes me uncomfortable because I start to respond to what I’ve heard, either by justifying my actions or denying I would ever act in such a way myself.
Personally, I enjoy reading the church history books, and even Christian music. That being said, The Christ follower has a great point. Jesus is what being a “Christian” is all about. At the end of times, those little “J-Pods, I love that, the stacks of books, our tradition of worshipping on a Sunday vs. a Saturday etc.” will all pass away. At the end of the day it will be did we accept Jesus and choose to follow Him. Just that simple. Oh, on the Saturday vs. Sunday, I laughed out loud loudly. “Do you think Jesus would worship on Saturday.” Well duh! Too funny.
Guess that means I like “Christian” humor, even “Contempory Christian Humor”.
November 4, 2006 at 12:36
I LOVED these videos. I am an alternative Christ-follower, complete with piercings and tattoos, and I think that the message sent here is that the inside of the cup is what’s important. Dressing up, the books, J-Pod, the bumper stickers, Saturday worship, these are all exterior things that the church has focused on instead of focusing on the fact that by creating a Christian sub-culture that so many of us get lost in. Satan, in essence, is able to put us into a place that we no longer have any cultural relevance to the outside world and are rendered as ineffective witnesses. People look at us and say, “Yea, in their world everything is okay, they don’t have any problems, but they don’t live in reality.” When that happens they see us as people living in a fantasy land, not in the reality that they are facing. Of course, when we live somewhat in their reality, they see we are just normal people with the influence of God on our lives, and that we deal with the real world so much better because of it. And THAT’S what makes Christ attractive.
November 4, 2006 at 13:11
It makes some good points. We as Christians should not be judgmental. We should not be so concerned in way some one dresses. But the Word does tell us to come out from the world and be different. Christians need to take a stand and hold up a standard of holiness without being self-righteous.
November 4, 2006 at 20:47
Kathie Lee Gifford a long time ago used the term “religious nerd” to actually make a great point in trying to differentiate herself from those people who are either judgmental of others (something definitely not Christ-like) or who do not respect the free-will of other people. And, this campaign reminds me of that same line of thinking.
A month or so ago, I was on a commuter train, and all of a sudden another passenger stood and addressed the entire car by professing his faith in Christianity. Before doing so, an entire group of people had separated and positioned themselves near every other passenger so that they could address each of them personally as a captive audience. Now, that kind of action embarrasses me as a Christian or a follower of Christ. So many people in the general public have been offended by these and other such tactics that the word, “Christian”, now has a negative connotation. So, this campaign appeals to me, and I think all of us can benefit from gaining the perspective that the advertisements show.
Additionally, it’s good for us to also differ in our interpretations of Scripture, itself. Independent thought, critical analysis, and posing real theological questions to ourselves and to others is a healthy and beneficial thing to do in our respective spiritual journeys.
November 4, 2006 at 22:25
Hello, my name is Bill… and I’m a Christian.
Actually, I see nothing wrong with being a Christian. I am sorry that Christ Followers feel the need to mock me and my beliefs. You have the right to believe what you believe in, I guess. It is a free country… for now. I just don’t see the need to make fun of another’s belief in order build yours up. I am reminded of scripture… 1 John, 4:7-8——- “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
November 5, 2006 at 07:05
Pretty interesting, I totally get your point but your wording is so wrong… Christian means little Christ. Just because some “Christians” don’t display that, doesn’t mean that the word should suffer. So kudos on the idea but maybe a little more logic should go into your presentation.
November 5, 2006 at 13:19
I’m thinking you could replace the man on the left with the Pope and the man on the right with Ghandi and the message wouldn’t change. It’s more like “Hi, I’m a Christian” and “Hi, I’m a person who does good but can still fit into the crowd without anyone knowing I’m a ‘Christ-follower.’” If you look like the world and act like the world, aren’t you going to be taken as being of the world and not simply in the world? If that’s the case, how are you letting your light shine (not that you aren’t, I’m literally asking how you are doing it because I don’t know)? I asked this of someone else many months ago and her response was “people know I’m a Christian.” Yeah? Which people? The ones you are friends with and with whom you go to church?
“Hi, I’m a ‘Christ-follower’ though I don’t read Christian books (including the Bible) or listen to Christian music, or subscribe to any kind of Christian teaching other than ‘love one another.’” So the question is, “What kind of fruit are you producing, if any?” One thing is for certain. If you DON’T wear a WWJD bracelet and DON’T have a Christian bumper stick on your car and DON’T tell anyone you are a Christian and DON’T listen to Christian music, then when you act like you are just another part of the world the world will not know the difference. It certainly is the safe approach.
November 5, 2006 at 22:00
The other james,
You make some good points, the person who doesn’t looks the same and acts the same as the rest of the world yet calls themselves a Christian is clearly wrong. However, is it that worse than someone who wears the WWJD bracelet, has the bumper stickers, listens to Christian Music and still acts the same as the rest of the world. Is being a hypocrite worse than having no distinction in a society we wish to change?
It strikes me that perhaps we should focus on what the individuals do… not what they look like; be they hipsters or men-in-suits… they will know us by our love after all.
November 9, 2006 at 00:44
Some of the comments above are unfair. This campaign is not mocking anyone or persuading people to disregard Scripture. The advertisements are trying to promote a way of expressing one’s faith to other people without offending their sensibilities. Such a thing is necessary to opening minds and hearts to greater knowledge about the teachings of Christ.
I’m disheartened by the way that some people view Christianity because it seems fundamentalists and televangelists have a stranglehold on the general public’s perception of the same basic system of belief to which I happen to subscribe. Oftentimes, they are not representative of me or of Christian theology, itself. So, by stripping away the trappings of Christian group-think, hopefully, Christians, or followers of Christ, will be able to intuit a purer and more personal discovery of the universe that anyone and everyone can understand.
November 11, 2006 at 07:50
This is nice. I would not end it with “Christian No More” though. For even though man has made that name “Christian” into almost a mockery, it is still what we were first called in Antioch and what we should be called until Christ’s return. However, I LOVE “Christ Follower” and I am going to use that.
November 11, 2006 at 09:27
These videos are an excellent example that depict why there “has been a 92% increase in the number of unchurched Americans in the last thirteen years. In 1991 there were 39 million unchurched Americans compared with 75 million currently. (2004)” Did those numbers scare you? Well they should! (See barna.com to read the rest of these statistics; keyword ‘unchurched’.)
For the most part, these are Christians and seekers who have a bad taste in their mouths from behaviors they’ve encountered IN church from ‘churchy’ Christians such at the self righteous gentleman’s behaviors we see displayed in these videos. And is it any wonder, who can relate to these people? And why aren’t their preachers pointing out their foibles from the pulpit and offering some correction? I think it’s because they’re the ones that come every week with their little white envelopes in their pockets.
I’m not the one to give definitive answers, but I can tell you from personal experience that I left the church because of hypocrites like these whose behaviors are sanctioned by the ‘church’. I applaud the makers of these videos for creating some controversy and pointing these things out in a non-threatening and humorous way. Do you think that if just one person in every city reading this would post a link to these videos in their own church bulletins, attitudes would change? With God’s help, anything is possible.
November 12, 2006 at 11:53
PS-Wouldn’t it have a bit more impact if a video were produced which showed both the ‘Christian’ and the ‘Christ Follower’ learning to see Jesus in one another somehow, and provoking one another to LOVE and good works, instead of pitting them against one another?
Just a thought….........obviously, with the creativity and acting ability available here, this could be done and have a greater impact for the Kingdom of God! And instead of creating more division in the Body of Christ, it would promote unity of the Spirit in the midst of diversity, for the greater cause of reaching out to a world who has yet to see an expression of love amongst Jesus’ disciples that would cause them to sit up, take notice, and be drawn to Him.
“They took note that these men had been WITH Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
Being with Jesus is the only thing that gives us the grace to live and be WITH one another!
November 15, 2006 at 20:32
Great work guys! Ignore the wowsers and keep doing ing what you’re doing.
November 15, 2006 at 20:37
I laughed. That was at least part of the point, right? The guy on the left seems to be wearing his Christianity like it’s a Boy Scout Badge. Is he saying,: “Look at me, I’m so holy.” or is he saying, “Here I am, and if you have questions, I’ll try to answer them.” The second guy is trying to “blend in.” Is he hiding out, or does he want people to get to know him in relationship before he hits ‘em with ‘The Word’? The truth is that both approaches have merit IF they come from the heart. What is tearing the church apart—and driving people away—is the idea that there is only one way to follow Christ. Just like Mac and MS, there are strengths and weaknesses in ALL of us.
November 15, 2006 at 20:37
I like it. It is fresh, funny, and shows how rediculous christian pop culture has become. I especially like the one about the music. I am a jazz musician and like to think that much of my music is about God, but most of the time there are no lyrics, can that be on your jpod? John Coltrane did an album called A Love Supreme and it was not only his dedication to God, but also some of the most innovating music of its time, and its improvisations, emotions and spirituality are still perplexing people. Nice job on these, I think they are very powerful!
November 15, 2006 at 21:29
Not that many people will read down this far, but…
Yawn – we like to think we’re different from the “same old religion” don’t we. Well, I’ve been part of the whole movement for many years before realizing that the ways it was being expressed (at the many different churches I attended – I moved a few times) was all just the same concepts with different sets of rules.
Are there truly progressive christians out there? Yes – and I’m glad for them. However, these videos come from a sub culture of the religious right that still…
—believes the rest of the world needs salvation from absolute depravity (easy to argue against with scripture – but think about it in a humanitarian manner, and then try to argue to me that under the current interpretation of the gospel we haven’t made god into a tyrant),
—sees every cultural history as inherently evil / ignorant except their own,
—marginalizes gay/lesbian/transgender/bisexual people among us – picking and choosing what (outdated) ethical rules to apply to our world from a 2000 year old text,
—etc.
Please don’t think I want to bash Christianity here – I don’t. I have, however, had enough of people claiming to be revolutionary/new/on target with religion without doing anything to help people here in the real world!
Help people. Do so without any agenda – even a passive one – of “winning them to god.” ...and maybe some day I’ll change my tune. For now, christianity is dead to me. Even hip “christ-following” christianity – because from what i’ve seen, it’s no different.
November 15, 2006 at 21:32
There is a term that I have found useful. Its the word “Churchianity.” I believe that this is what the videos are trying to express. The other thing that I thought they addressed is communication. Most dialog that I read that is “Christian” is largely internal dialog. When I read that people are embarrassed of how Christianity is presented I don’t read that they are embarrassed of Christ, but are embarrassed of many Christians ignorance of what they are communicating.
Christians often come across as passive-aggressive or as victims. If someone disagrees or doesn’t want to hear what they have to say some will label that as persecution. Often its just irritation, nothing more. I have often observed a group of Christians get all excited that they really got through to someone because that someone was polite. In truth that someone was simply tolerating them.
Its not a problem of doctrine, witnessing, or disrespect. Its a problem of maturity, awareness and wisdom. I believe this is due to the way Christians are being educated and trained. Its not a simple solution, but the declining membership and irrelevant dialog is evidence of a needed shift in Christian awareness.
Anyway, that’s my take on it.
November 15, 2006 at 22:35
The first thing I noticed in the “commercials” was that the Christ Follower didn’t need to say much while the traditional Christian spoke. The real issue was the idolatry of the latter. The assumption was that if one is not actively reading the trendy books and KJV, listening to the Christian music, and traditionally dressing for worship then one’s salvation is questionable. There is no arguement—these items are a form of idolatry. And you will notice in scripture that it is always open season on idolatry.
On the other hand, how appropriate is the mocking of the Christ-follower of the traditional Christian? Perhaps it would be better stated that the mocking was of the idolatry. Difficult to not nail the person in possession of the idolatry and that’s a sticking point.
November 16, 2006 at 00:02
I really can relate to both of these guys. I think you have done a great job of highlighting the importance of being God’s people in practice (Christ follower) not just in pretence (Christian).
November 16, 2006 at 00:14
I’m a little amazed at how strong the response has been to these videos. I’m a pastor and wear a coat and tie almost every “Sunday” and love to read and study. I really don’t think the criticism is aobut wearing suits or reading. It about thinking you have to in order to be doing “what Jesus would do”.
This is great creativity, (a mark of one created in the image of the Creator), it is a great reminder of the need for “Christ alone, and faith alone”
November 16, 2006 at 00:45
An “A” for being creative, and I get the point you’re trying to make. But isn’t the real point that both of these men are wrong in what they represent?
Yes, once bumper stickers, bracelets and offering envelopes become a necessary part of our walk, we have become like some of the Pharisees.
But Jesus said our righteousness needs to exceed that of the Pharisees. Which means there is a righteous standard that we’re all called to obey.
And the man on the right represents today’s popular brand of Christianity that says once I’ve walked down the aisle, I’m forgiven and God will love me just the way I am. I can do whatever I want, as long as it’s “in Jesus’ name.”
My bible doesn’t appear to agree with that.
Both men are following their own set of rules, which is legalism. But Jesus said that if we love Him, we’ll obey His commandments. Which is not legalism, but obedience.
May God call us ‘servants’ when we meet Him.
November 16, 2006 at 10:21
I love these! They are great. I once was the Christian, but now I am trying to be a Christ follower. I think the only people who will dislike these or misunderstand them are the ones who are convicted by them.
Once, I was on a missions trip in Russia and one of the interpreter was a Russian pastor. He said to me “we need Jesus followers not western religious B.S.” That is what people are hungry for, Christ followers.
November 16, 2006 at 10:28
Warning: if you have no exposure to Christian satire, do not view these videos.
I love satire. I love poking fun at the silly things we do to “show” our faith, e.g. how many xtian symbols we can possibly cram onto our temples of the Holy Spirit, vehicles, bookshelves, walls, and under our skin. We all still fall to the sin of pride. Thank G-d for grace.
I know both of these people. My grandfather is a very proper Lutheran pastor and honestly believes that xtian music with drums (even the contempo) is truly wrong and unholy and doesn’t agree with my tattoo. Others like myself went through hell and back and have kept our halos looser. But we all love and serve G-d and we get along. We are united in faith, not conformed to each other’s opinions.
It’s all about internal attitude. Are you studying to learn more and renew your mind or are you trying to impress and get all the right answers in Bible study class? Are you listening to xtian music to keep up with your friends or does it bring you peace? Do you shun public displays of your faith because you’re worried about what others may think or will it actually land you in jail?
They will know we are xtians by our love, not our accessories. Live it.
November 16, 2006 at 11:50
Your video is ironic. You have successfully depicted two Pharisees as two Christians.
November 16, 2006 at 12:05
I retract my earlier statement. Maybe both of these guys are Christians but they need to BOTH learn that Christians come in many colors, shapes, and sizes.
November 17, 2006 at 14:55
Loved the vids!
For those who don’t understand the satire and complain. I understand where you’re coming from. But some need to understand semantics. Yes it was at Antioch that Christians were first called Christians. But first – it wasn’t the English word – it was Greek – so there is nothing holy about the English word. Second – words change meaning over time. At Antioch to call someone a ‘little Christ’ was to identify them with Jesus. Today, in America, “Christian” carries baggage and many non-Chrisitans understand “Chrisitan” to mean “legalistic, un-forgiving, etc” Even in Christian circles the word ‘Christian’ can carry baggage. Saying “Christ-follower” is a way to escape the baggage than now comes with the word “Christian” That is what these videos are showing. Get away from everything that has been added to being a Christian and concentrate on following Christ.
November 19, 2006 at 12:22
It is intersting to me that Christians hold on to the name that was given to them as a derogitory put down with such a tenacity.
It started off as a derogitory put down and now is totally smeared by the christian fundamentalist reputation.
November 19, 2006 at 17:16
Swell discussion & comments thus far. Our culture is changing every day, sometimes for the better, other times for the worse. I just wanted to emphasize that while there are many different flavors of Christianity, most point towards the Saviour. (Sort of an all-Christian-paths-lead-to-Jesus form of Christian Universalism…also called Ecumenicalism). Anyways, like a few people posted above, I think it’d be neat if the final commercial(s) showed the “Christian” and the “Christ-follower” coming together and finding common ground in their beliefs (sort of how Catholics and Protestants, Lefties and Righties, Calvinists and Arminians, etc. need to unify together in their foundation… which is Christ.
Overall, the videos were fun… made me laugh and think at the same time…kind of like http://www.larknews.com does (a Christian parody news-site).
November 22, 2006 at 01:24
Okay, first I must say that I laughed at these quite a bit and deifinitely identified more with the guy on the right, but a few days have gone by and I just can’t shake a couple of thoughts about these. First of all, while you could call these creative, it’s doing exactly what the Christian subculture has always done. It takes a creative idea someone else had (i.e. the ad genious who came up with the Mac commercials) and makes them Christian. Seriously, if you really want to change the way I think, come up with something that is different from everything else I’m being inundated with.
As far as the message of the videos goes, I think it’s a classic example of putting emphasis in the wrong place. I live in Washington, land of microbrews and I can’t tell you how many times the “I’m a cool Christian because I drink beer” conversation has come up, as if drinking beer has pointed thousands to Christ. Now I enjoy a good pint as much as the next guy (if you can get Boundry Bay Scotch Ale where you live, consider yourself blessed) but how does that show people I care about them as much as Jesus does? Instead of constantly trying to prove that Christianity is not lame, why not spend our time living out the truth of the gospel and see what develops. Just a thought.
November 22, 2006 at 04:51
I think the videos are good. I like the phrase “christian” no more. I would love to give my little piece on christianity today, but I think that’s what most christians do these days. They overanalyze. I think we need to love God and love others. Two most important commandments. I also think we need to agree to disagree more. Anyway, that’s my little spcheel.
November 22, 2006 at 11:07
hmmm. Well, I attend a church that plays U2 and Switchfoot radio tunes as a means to attract the unchurched person to get to know our Lord. I really like these videos. I do not see them as judgmental at all. If you were to go back and take a real good look at what Jesus did and said about the hypocrites of His time, you’ll see he was no Mr. Rogers about it. These are tame compared to the things HE said out loud.
I dont see these as making fun of Christians. I see these as making a point about what you do for show. I love to dress up for church. Even though mine is very casual. I even like to read all those books. But I dont carry them around so people can see what a good Christian I am. I think these videos are helping us to shine a light on our motives for our traditions. And if we are truly striving for perfection…....well how can we complain about the light.
November 25, 2006 at 19:25
This is hilarious. Seriously, I have worked in Christian retail, and oooh, goodness, does that first one hit the mark. Definitely a light-hearted example of the difference between a showy material facade of belief and what actually makes a disciple of Christ. As for some of the previous comments, this is just a funny video. It’s not even shooting down a subculture. It’s just poking fun at people who go overboard with the Christian merchandise and forget about what’s really important. Really fun. I might show this to some of my non-Christian friends, too.
November 26, 2006 at 02:59
I get the point of these videos and certainley understand the differance. I do however feel that dividing the body is the most dangerous thing that could ever happen to the church. Can there be no diversity amongst believers? I am a Christian and a Christ follower. The slogan “Christian no more” is very offensive to me and should be to anyone who follow Christ’s teachings.
I am not sure what good could come from these videos, but I certainly do see the harm that could come. Satan comes to us in many disguises. Pay attention to what the point is here.
November 26, 2006 at 14:39
“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, for they are so very unlike your Christ.” -Gandhi
Man, these videos are awesome. I’m not trying to alienate anyone, because I think tolerance is key, but I do believe that so much religion is perverted today. I think that to follow a God or religion well, a person or group needs to understand the meaning and true intent of that religion. The purpose behind a belief system is infinitely more important than particulars, especially those that are artificially injected into a religion by mankind for political purpose and gain…
To put it bluntly, so many Christians don’t really follow Christ. I’m sorry to say it, and I’m sure if Christ exists that he isn’t pissed off about it or anything, but maybe he just wants you guys to wake up and think about things in a more object manner.
November 26, 2006 at 15:30
A lot of people who left comments here missed the point, it would seem. Especially in the first one, which wasn’t to show that reading the Bible and other books is wrong or uncool, it’s to show that carrying all those books around and letting everyone know “Hey look! I’m holier than thou art!” is a really hypocritical thing to do. It does not, by any means, say that reading the bible is wrong. Furthermore, when it comes to Christian music, lots of Christian music is good, as well as apealing to kids. I mean, I love Relient K and Thousand Foot Crutch, but I also like DC Talk and Hillsong, and even some old hymns are good every now and then. You can listen to most music, if you’re a Christian, but there’s some stuff that’s just selling sex and drugs and other immoralities.
Now, as for the Christian/Christ-Follower thing; both are fine. But if you’re the Christian, don’t be a hypocrite, and if you’re the Christ-follower, don’t be smug and superior about it.
November 26, 2006 at 21:50
I sincerely hope the intent was to encourage us to steer clear of both characterisations. Let’s look at Mr. “I’m a Christ follower.” All I have to go on to verify that assertion is that he just stands there with his hands in his pockets and says so. No evidence or examples or concrete clues presented that he actually is.
At least Mr. “Christian,” silly and stereotypical though the examples are, is actually enthusiastic, engaged, exhibits any concern for standards and is excited about and doing something! Misguided? Maybe, but he’s by far the more interesting character and I think I’d rather hang out with him.
From my long experience, I find he’s the type of guy that’s ultimately going to be the more changeable and fruitful of the two. Like they say, you can only steer a boat that’s already moving. Hands-in-his-pockets seems relatively inert and apathetic. Go back and look again. Please don’t want me to be more like him.
This site is clearly concerned about the relavance of our witness and presence in the world. Good. However, the only “relevance” the world really wants from me as a Christian is capitulation to its pluralism, perversity, compromise and tolerance of the intolerable. In terms of relevance to the prime realities, the world is infinitely more out of tune with God’s eternal righteousness and Kingdom purposes (which is what counts) than I am out of tune with the world’s preferred ways of hearing and doing things.
The world will not really respond much to my “relevance” (unfortunately understood by many Christians to be looking and behaving more like the world does in order to earn respect and a hearing), because all I have to offer is deeply and unavoidably shocking and offensive to it (Christ Himself and all the truth that He embodies). I’m not talking about how its delivered, but the actual message itself, faithfully and fully presented.
Look carefully at Acts 5. That’s just one of numerous examples where the witness of the apostles and disciples was so shocking and challenging that their audiences became rabidly intent on killing them. Do you think they had any angst or protracted discussions in their jail cells about how they could be more relevant? If the core question of life is how we re-establish mankind’s cataclysmic and universal broken relationship with God, then it is the world and its current direction and all its religious systems that are catastrophically irrelevant and out of tune with that purpose.
Ironically, what makes our two examples in the videos so unworthy of emulation is that they are both actually modelled after worldly and cultural patterns and both far from the radical and peculiar people God wants of His witnesses.
November 27, 2006 at 20:15
If anyone cares to hear a few thoughts from a sympathetic atheist, I would say to those of you who are the overly J-happy types: no matter how much you think you are worshipping your God you are driving more people away from Christ than drawing them nearer.
Please don’t try to use the above fact as part of some [ :)—admin]-backwards ‘proof’ along the lines of many being called but few chosen… etc.
This is just about plainly not emulating what Jesus was trying to accomplish during his (fictional or not) lifetime.
Jesus was not like the guy on the left, who chastises his brother about his plain-looking clothes, or lack of identifying badge/jewelry. Rewatch the first video and see who is criticizing who.
And please… do tell… how many of those several thousand who attended the original Sermon on the Mount had their handy bibles and hymn books to follow what the preacher said? Uh-huh. Thought so.
The whole point of these videos is plain as daylight to any of us outsiders. Your own benevolent co-believers are telling you to loosen up, but you are so wound up into your way of worshiping and honoring Christ you’d probably chastise Christ himself for being unshaven.
What I read from the story of Christ’s message was about humility, love, compassion, and basically getting along with the system (rendering to Caesar, slaves obeying masters, etc) and letting your non-believing neighbors be persuaded by your example, not by overly-professing words, or public prayers, or holier-than-thou fetish props.
None of us outsiders are at any risk of being converted by the guy on the left. The guy on the right is much more dangerous: he actually seems NICE.
So have a good day, all of you. Be healthy. And enjoy long lives, even the prudish ones!
November 27, 2006 at 21:54
Amidst all these questions and heavy discussion it is important to ask:
Is there a wrong way to love?
November 28, 2006 at 14:41
Wow.
Thank you Mike. I hope one of the nice guys is able to introduce you to the Christ I know, he is a rather neat guy!
As for the rest of this. No matter what kind of Christian you are, there could be offense somewhere in this page. Either in the video’s or in some of the comments. But we can CHOOSE not to be offended. There are many good points in here. And all are cause for thought. And isn’t that really the point? Doesn’t iron sharpen iron?
I think both characters up there have some flaws to work out. The guy on the right is very judgemental of the one on the left and the one on the left is rather smug. But boy, they are both funny. I can laugh at myself.
I dont feel this is dividing the church. And I am certain that Jesus thought more of making people pay attention to their own hypocrisy than trying to keep everybody happy friends. It isnt about who shows off God more. It’s about who is actually READING the bible. And who is actually LIVING like Christ. You can be an example without all the bumber stickers.
So I am walking away as a person who is a little more like the guy on the left but still seeing this a challenge to behave with a little less judgement for the guy on the right. I need him in my life too. We are all one body. What word you use is irrelevant. If you are a disciple of Christ, we are on the same side. Enjoy your differences. Give thanks for them. They challenge us all to be better.
November 28, 2006 at 14:55
I think the point of these videos that a lot of people are missing is we don’t have to be an uptight suit and tie kind of person to be a christian.
What God is looking for is not someone who wears jeans to church or not someone who wears a suit to church, He is looking for someone who will follow Him and love Him and to show His love and share it.
If we cannot see that than we have sadly misunderstood what God wants us from us.
November 28, 2006 at 18:45
I LOVE these videos! Sometimes it is difficult to explain to people what the difference between a Christian and a follower is, but these videos hit the nail on the head.
November 28, 2006 at 21:12
I get it. The aim of the videos is to make a light-hearted point that Christians are to follow Christ in their hearts, and not only in appearances. A good point for sure.
Now, I don’t want to beat a straw-man and criticize these videos for saying something they’re not; however, I think a word of caution is warranted.
Mike has a good point a few posts up: “You are so wound up into your way of worshiping and honoring…” (emphasis added). So true. The danger of these videos is that the Christ-Follower’s way of worshiping and honoring God would somehow be mistaken for the “right way”. Others have pointed this out as well, but there is a certain smugness in the attitude of the Christ-Follower that suggests to me he too is focusing on appearances, as if wearing suits, reading books, studying the bible, listening to Christian music, or even being un-cool is somehow incompatible with following Christ—clearly not the case.
I’m especially troubled by the “Christian No More” tag at the end of the videos. Again, I get. It really means “Christian-like-that-guy-on-the-left No More”. But Christians have been cycling though labels so often lately, I think we’re missing the point. To some extent, people wince at the word “Christian”, because it represents a way of life that they don’t want or don’t understand, or both. Jesus said we should expect this, and take count it as blessing (Luke 6:22). But “Christian” has also been tainted by Christians who have behaved badly. Giving ourselves a new name isn’t going to change either of these things. “Christ-Follower” only has a better connotation because it’s new and hasn’t had enough time to be associated with either well or poorly behaving Christians. But the first time some swaggering “Christ-Following” preacher cheats on his wife, swindles his congregates, and blames the nation’s problems on Democrats and fags, you can bet “Christ-Follower” will lose its luster.
If we are to be “little Christs” (Christians) or Christ-Followers, then we must first humble ourselves—as Christ did. I didn’t see much of that in these videos.
Mike had another good point: “None of us outsiders are at any risk of being converted by the guy on the left.” Indeed, both men are uncompelling. The truth is, none come to God but by the grace and power of God. And to that end I hope we can learn to live.
December 7, 2006 at 10:35
You know the thing that ticks me off most about American Evangelicalism? Not the fact everyone thinks they must listen to “Christian” music, or thinking you have to dress a certain way, but the fact that the people and churches are not original. How many times have we seen a church or organization take a popular product, or song, or advertisement, and copy it to make a “funny” clip to show in your church services? Come on, if you are going to be critical of the current Christian church in America, don’t copy something already done. Get off your lazy—- and come up with something original.
December 7, 2006 at 10:35
Nice idea – really nice idea.. but you could do it better..
It’s a weak point, the geeky christian and cool christ follower. You’d be better off getting straight to the point and highlighting the fact that following christ, genuninely with your heart is different to being a christian..
It’s not about being geeky or dumb (a lot of christians are very intelligent) – the real point is about being hypocritical, and religious and having an unbalanced faith (fanatical/dogmatic, or other extreme: just at weekends)... These are the sort of qualities that we see more in christians, and less in christ followers.
BTW I’m not a christ follower, or christian. Ex penetecostal, but still follow the teachings of Jesus – I have no problem considering him a Lord, btw – and I’m not offended that you believe him to be christ – I hope you don’t feel my comments any less valid because of this.
December 7, 2006 at 10:38
Don’t disregard or demean a title just because there have been distortions of it’s true meaning. The problem is not with the title “Christian.” In fact, “Christian” is used in the Bible to identify true Christ followers in 1 Peter 4:16. Furthermore, Christians are labeled as those who may suffer for the glory of God.
I wish the guy on the right were someone who had truly given up earthly pleasures for the sake of the gospel; who had loved his enemies with Christ’s love; who had supported some or himself had gone into the world to preach the gospel; who had counted it gain to suffer for the sake of Christ. Not merely someone who dressed sloppy, criticized his professed brother (albeit subtlety), and went to a Saturday service.
Having an anti-establishment mindset no more makes someone a Christian than one who follows rules instead of Christ. A true Christian is one who has fully accepted Jesus Christ as their substitutionary sacrifice for their sin through His perfect lfe, death, and resurrection on the third day by confessing with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and accepting Him into their heart. They die to sin and the law and are then under grace and joined to Righteousness, having the inheritance of eternal life. Christ as the treasure of their lives defines Christians, and certainly a western culture fad does not.
December 7, 2006 at 10:46
Well, done with the videos. They are very thought-provoking; however, there is a problem of unity.
The believers, christians, christ-followers, or whatever need unity these videos can be devisive. While I think having the offering envelope in your front pocket isn’t a good think (widow’s mite parable), I think poking fun at people who feel called to research God’s work extensively and scholarly is going to bring divisions. YES, wearing your faith on your sleeves like that is just what the pharasees did in Jesus’ time, but smart christians are good to have around. And, what’s the problem with the word “christian.” While I do associate with the guy on the right more than the guy on the left, I have trouble with the phrase “christian no more.”
December 7, 2006 at 10:51
love it! I’m a Christian, more like the guy on the right. The guy on the left is most of the world’s view of Christians. Ha, whoever did this is great… kinda long though.
December 7, 2006 at 11:01
I like these vids. I really don’t like the Christian church as it is, which is why I have become a Buddhist. I really like these because it points out some of the reasons I abandoned Christianity. It really makes good points of how Christianity has changed isn’t like Jesus intended it to be.
December 7, 2006 at 11:16
Watching these videos was fun. Reading some of the comments was disturbing. Come on, people, give it a rest! For the love!
Reading about the danger…the danger is that people are dying and going to Hell. Some of this is happening because of religion, because of the “striving for perfection” that we do.
We do our best, we love the Lord, we get to know Him. We leave the judgement up to Him and the recognizing of real danger up to the Holy Spirit to discern with in us.
Wake up, Church. Let people know we are HIS disciples by our fruit, not our piety. Love God, love people, minister out of that. And let go of all the self-projected rules we make up in an effort to control people, ourselves and God.
December 7, 2006 at 11:21
Amazing—both guys seem to think that one can be a Christian on a purely individualistic basis, as well as hang on to a certain sub-cultural smugness. I guess this is American Evangelicalism’s own corporate culture telling folks that they can, “have it your way.” It may be cute, but it epitomizes all that’s gone wrong with American Christianity. Maybe both of these guys need to spend a little less time arguing one-on-one and a little more time gathered at Word and Table with the community of the faithful.
December 7, 2006 at 11:22
Sometimes people NEED to be made fun of. People can see these as devise or take them to heart and learn something.
December 7, 2006 at 11:46
Oh no, a negative viewpoint. Watch this one never make it on the page.
Jesus would have never made fun of anyone like that. This only shows that you’re just like the Christian in the video; as you say one thing while doing everything that you’re saying you don’t do. Since you’re supposedly following Christ I’ll just assume you’re not paying attention. These are more smug and annoying than the “clever” ads they were imitating.
Try actually following Christ if you’re going to talk the talk. Sell that fancy camera and your computer and donate the money to the poor. Maybe your house too. I think the only thing Christians and Christ Followers haven’t done yet, is actually follow Christ and give everything away and live only to teach the word of god. What, is that following too closely for you?
So maybe “Faux Christ Follower” is a better title.
December 7, 2006 at 12:02
This seems to me like the age-old pitfall of trying to build yourself up by tearing someone else down. What makes this particularly interesting to me is that the last thing we need is for people who believe in Jesus Christ to start tearing each other down.
A better video might show both people learning from each other how to better live their lives. NONE OF US are perfect, and none of us worship GOD perfectly. We can all learn things from each other that will strengthen us and help us strengthen those around us.
December 7, 2006 at 12:48
“Is there a wrong way to love?”
I know I am a Christian. I read my Bible and I do my devotions, and I would love to go to church every Sunday, but I am away from home and I don’t know the Christians in the local churches.
I am a disciple of Christ, and other Christians make me nervous, because I don’t know how to “act like them.” I’m worried I’ll stub my toe and go “aw dammit.”
I get nervous when I go into churches and I hear people talking politics, because I don’t want anyone to know what it says on my voter registration card.
I’ve never believed I was good enough to be a “Christian” even though I try everyday to show people by my actions that I am a Christian. I can testify and evangelize to the unchurched and I can talk for hours about the powerful transformative love of Christ, because I believe so much. But whenever I go to a new church I feel like an outsider, like my way is the wrong way.
I wanted to go to seminary to learn more about Jesus and serve his people. But I was so afraid of what people would think of me.
I suppose that with prayer I’ll grow stronger in my faith and maybe some day I’ll feel comfortable walking into anyone’s church for a worship service. But still these videos and the commentary that ensued made me cry, because I’m church-sick (homesick for a church community) and it’s so difficult to find a place where I can be accepted as another sister in Christ, without reservation.
I guess what I’m saying is that the person on the left unintentionally terrifies people like me, because we just feel… devalued.
... I hope that made sense.
December 7, 2006 at 13:02
Mathew 6:5-6 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
December 7, 2006 at 13:13
@ Bob Bobbington
I take it you’re on a fancy library computer at the moment.
Jesus and his followers certainly spoke out about the practices they saw wrong within the temple. And they even used creative storytelling to make their points. How does this differ?
December 7, 2006 at 13:17
I agree with the videos wholeheartedly! What I see in my home non-denominational Christian church today has me quite disillusioned. I’m not sure the church is practicing what Jesus preached. The kind of faith the church seems to be calling for people to practice is a flimsy, skin deep faith. Why worry about how you look to the world, as long as you look to God for guidance, hope and truth. As any of us who were blessed to be in Sunday School as children will remember, the church IS the people.
December 7, 2006 at 13:21
Right so i am not meant to call myself a christian anymore. and i should healthly judge those who dont do things my way?? Dont get me wrong i like this i like the whole idea. But is this not just another desperate search to differentiate the real christian from the fake?? There is definitely room for both the ‘christian’ and the ‘christ follower’ in our lives. My real concern is this attempt to say what is real and what is not, that is what gets you wrapped up in legalism, allow your brothers and sisters to be free to be christians how they want to be. Sometimes that may be worrying about getting everything right and reading all the books and listening to the music. And sometimes that may be a laissez faire attitude much more chilled and loose. There is room for all of us. And on that note i think before we go adding another piece of jargon to our language maybe we should stop retreating with our words and start reclaiming them. I am religious and i am a christian, we should say these things and be proud and have the church as the normative for what both these things mean.
Additionally I especially do not like the bit about not getting dressed up in your sunday best. I dont always but i think it is nice from time to time to do so because it is a reminder that hey sunday is special and being in church and worshipping with others is special. The external counts, if you cant be bothered to make an effort because you are focused on higher things then great, but surely there is a place for worshipping God with what we look like. If you go looking like you dont care what are others to make of that?? I am not saying suits is the way to go, or enforcing a dress code, i’m just saying think about it.
As for the christian music dig, loved that.
December 7, 2006 at 13:53
I think these videos are great and am enjoying reading the responses. Some of you are missing the point. It isn’t about suits or reading, it’s simply about living by example vs. being distracted by the image of being a Christian.
If all Christians spent their time tending their own gardens and quietly making the world a better place by the example they set…the world would be an amazing place.
December 7, 2006 at 13:53
Keep it at 30 seconds. It’s way way way to long.
December 7, 2006 at 14:05
Neat little commercials…which ended up spawning a theological argument.
And you wonder why I’m an athiest…
December 7, 2006 at 14:06
Instead of bantering back and forth why can’t we try to nail down a definition for Christian and Christ-follower? Can the two words be used interchangeably? I think there is a difference between calling Jesus Christ “saviour” and a “sovereign Lord that we submit to completely”.
I’ll take a crack at it…
Christ-follower: A whole-hearted commitment to following him, which simply means to do whatever he would want us to do. Of course, if we’re going to learn about what his will is for our lives, this will mean that we become students of the Bible and study it for ourselves as well as learn what we can at church (relational not structural).
Christian: “A relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship is begun by coming to him and acknowledging our failure and asking for his forgiveness.”
Whats important is our relationship with him displayed in obedience to his teachings that make the difference. The word the bible uses for this its FAITH, an active trust in God, believing in something or someone enough to act upon that belief.
Is the Christian ‘guy’ (or PC) doing it religiously? or did Jesus call us to be faithful?
John 10:10
December 7, 2006 at 14:14
I don’t wonder, Jason…
December 7, 2006 at 14:56
Well, who would you rather have to spend eternity with? A Christian or a Christ-follower?
That’s always been my biggest problem with eternal life in Heaven, I really didn’t want to spend that much time with Christians…
December 7, 2006 at 15:14
This is insane. I can’t believe anyone even made these videos this way. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what the “Christian” is doing. The only issue would be if his spirituality was wrapped up in all his spiritual/ christian pursuits. Paul commended the Bereans for their study of the word. (Acts 17:10-12). The Christian who wants to know the word and uses other commentaries should never be put down at all and should certainly not be seen in any less favorable light than a “Jesus Follower” who just tries to live like Jesus. How is that “Jesus follower” going to know what Jesus lived like without the Word. The bumper sticker thing is just silly. People put all kinds of bumper stickers on their cars that say all kinds of things. Why, then, would there be any issues w/ a christian putting bumper stickers on their cars?
I could comment all all three clips, but, I don’t have the time. It just seemed that the ‘Christian’ was actually more sincere and dedicated in his wanting to be like Christ than the ‘Christ follower’ (except for the WWJD and the bumper stickers, they were just annoying.
The terms Christian and Christ follower are actually very similar in meaning except that the word Christian actually describes a person who wants to be like Jesus Christ in every area of his life; to actually be as close in likeness, personality and demeanor as possible to Jesus, to be able to be truly mistaken for Christ. Except for a couple of little things, the Christian in these clips comes much closer to Christ than the Christ follower in my estimation.
December 7, 2006 at 15:31
Very good Videos!
December 7, 2006 at 15:32
First of all, this is a parody based on the commercial. The smugness of the Mac guy is being mirrored by the smugness of the Christ-Follower guy. Without that, it would not be a good parody. Am I right? Let’s not get down on the Christ-Follower guy for being smug when he’s just acting out a parody!
As for the Christian in this context. I think the Christian is less to blame than the Christian teachers who continue to propigate this Christian Pop Culture scene. How much money is there in marketing salvation I wonder?
Following Jesus is not about a new culture. It is not about marketing campaigns and quotas. It is about improving the world through our participation IN it AS a representative of God rather than a membership to an elitist club with KJV only bibles doing things only to be SEEN doing them. Christianity is NOT a competition! You can’t merge NFL and NASCAR mentality with God’s love, they aren’t compatible.
Let this parody be a wake up call to all Christians and Christ-Followers alike. It is time for an AUTHENTIC representation of the church. It’s time for authentically living as Jesus did. I think Mike the atheist summed up what that was supposed to look like best.
December 7, 2006 at 15:47
I’m… really confused. Are you saying we shouldn’t just be casual Christians and should be more like “PC” there, or are you telling us its perfectly acceptable to relax about your faith and listen to whatever music takes your fancy?
I am seriously confused by the message you’re trying to give out here. I’m much more like the Mac, I don’t make a big deal out of my faith or go around showing it and demonstrating it to everyone. If you’re suggesting we are supposed to do that, I have to disagree. That is what gives Christians a bad name… but, perhaps I’m wrong. I’m young and foolish.
Round where I live, nearly everyone is Athiest. When one of my Athiest friends realised I was a Christian, his response was “But, you’re normal!” I hate to think that people are under the impression that Christians are not ordinary people, being like PC there is kind of pretty un-normal. So we should be like Mac?
Someone please point me in the right direction
December 7, 2006 at 15:56
I think these parodies are great. I despise the Christians who use Christianity to support their morals/opinions without valid reference to scripture (music, style, etc.).
Remember, morals are nothing more than what the majority of a population deems proper at any given time and this always fluctuates as time progresses.
December 7, 2006 at 16:07
While I find myself more similar to the guy on the left, I think the whole “Christian versus Christ-follower” thing is stupid. Anybody who follows Christ is a Christian, no? Why would we want to look down on people who decide to live their lives in a different fashion? Both characters are unlikable, and this is hardly a contest of “who’s the better worshiper” or “I’m leading a better life than you are because _____.”
Way to go and cause more division than what’s needed.
December 7, 2006 at 16:35
It’s interesting that what doesn’t quite work with these is actually what doesn’t quite work with the Apple ads too.
Yes, it’s cute, and nicely timed, and funny. But the truth is that there’s a slight undercurrent of smugness that pushes you to side with the geek. It’s true of John Hodgman’s PC in the mac ads, and it’s true here. We side with the underdog.
Maybe that’s a Brit thing, though, but fun stuff nonetheless…
December 7, 2006 at 16:57
You’re treading on dangerous waters. (hah, on water). — Challenging how Christians live their lives is fine, but the slogan ”’Christian’ no more” seems to imply an anti-Christian sentimentality instead of what you are actually trying to do.
Also, the Church is already split enough with the numerous Catholic and Protestant denominations, I see this as trying to push the segregation even further, pitting members of the same community against one another regarding whose way of following Christ is the most appropriate for the modern day.
Formatting these as a Catholic vs. Protestant comparison would have been more clever, as the differences are more profound and very similar to what you show in these videos.
December 7, 2006 at 17:01
My goodness, I had to stop reading the comments because the first set of them seemed to come from the very type of person this video is trying to poke fun at. Seriously people, if Jesus Christ was actually on earth today as a human bean (again) do you really think he would care what you listen too? Or what you dress like at church? Would he even go to church? probably not, he would likely be spending his time with the homeless and drug addicts of today just as he did the last time he was here. If you think you already have/know God then he wouldn’t waste his time with you just as he didn’t with those of like mind in his day. Get over yourselves… you’d have people think God doesn’t have a sense of humor when he clearly does, just look at the people around you, if that isn’t funny then I don’t know what is.
December 7, 2006 at 17:05
Honestly, I love the videos. Keep it up.
The thing I find ironic about all this, is the comments below the videos portray more of what most of you are opposed to in the videos.
So, congratulations!
Kick back.
Take a read at some of these comments and see how happy you are to claim the call of Christ with this family of believers.
December 7, 2006 at 17:12
Neither figure should be any kind of role model, even though the man on the right is supposed to be some sort of paragon. Why don’t we see the “Christ follower” (who’s apparently too cool for the Bible or morality) when his faith is challenged and he discovers that he has no idea about sound doctrine? He’ll probably do what many feel-good Christians do: compromise on politicaly correct issues like homosexuality and evolution.
December 7, 2006 at 17:13
I read it as “Christian No More (or Less)”
December 7, 2006 at 17:22
Clever idea, I just wish the ‘Christ-follower’ was a little more emphatic/excited about his faith. Also, each clip should be about half as long for maximum ‘TV commercial’-style impact.(like the original Mac vs. PC ads)
December 7, 2006 at 17:58
I’m actually atheist, but I like the message in these commercials. You don’t have to brag about your religion or beliefs and you don’t have to press them on other people. All you have to do is what you think is right.
December 7, 2006 at 18:05
In reply to some of the earlier posts who thought that the christ-follower was arrogant, maybe you should watch them again, the christian was the one wearing bumper stickers for christ and scolding the other guy for not dressing up. The christ-follower was just doing his thing, not trying to cause any problem. Your beliefs are your own, you shouldn’t try to force them on others like that.
December 7, 2006 at 18:22
These videos are great. Christian culture today all too often emphasizes our outward appearance, when Christ’s teachings would have us focus on others’ true character. A true believer in Christ does as he did by treating others only with love and understanding, and by setting a good example. Not by bumper stickers or displaying a crucifix.
“Walk the walk, and talk the talk.”
Oh, and U2 is the greatest band ever… Rocknroll is not always evil. 8^)
December 7, 2006 at 18:44
Die hard Mac fan, so I loved the attempt. But you missed the bullseye of your goal, IMO…
Christian means ‘Christ-like.’ A laudable goal. If it had been “I’m Christian” vs. “I’m religious” or “I’m a Christ-follower” vs. “I’m religious” they’d have been more accurate.
It’s religiousity you’re poking fun at, which I like to do all the time. Unfortunately as-is the videos risk tainting the one thing they’re trying to help.
That said, we’re even exhorted (James, et al), to be religious…it’s just that that word, too, has grown negative. Look up the Greek, though, and it means, roughly, ‘ceremoniousness.’
Jesus said ‘if you’re my follower, you’ll do as I do. Act like me.’
As a Christ-follower what behavior is Christ-like, even (gulp), religious?
Taking care of widows and orphans. Not wearing WWJD undies.
Peace.
December 7, 2006 at 18:56
Nothing like pitting one type of ‘typical’ evangelical aginst another to advertise what ‘true’ Christianity is. What – no one thought to put a rosary in the hand of one of these two caricatures? And, oh, the creativity of it all. Staggers the imagination really. Think of it: Christians copying the world in an effort to call the world to Christ and away from worldliness. Oh what was i thinking? We’ve been doing that for years now.
This is wrong at so many levels one scarcely knows where to begin.
December 7, 2006 at 19:30
As a Jew raised in central Texas (where I was often made to feel uncomfortable about my religion), it’s refreshing to see a perspective like this. It’s unfortunate that the caricature on the left is my conception of many Christians with whom I grew up. So, although some here might believe that the wrong image of Christianity is being presented, for me it has the opposite effect: it’s very humanizing, and much appreciated.
December 7, 2006 at 19:37
I think one of the vids were offensive to me as a christain, they show the “christain” mocking the follower, and went overboard showing the man with books and bumper stickers, looks more like a worldy image of what a christain is, then a real christain.
December 7, 2006 at 20:29
I prefer “Christian” to “Christ follower” as the latter seems to imply a required belief in what seems to me to be fairy tales – paranormal things like God. Christianity, on the other hand, can accommodate atheism very nicely, and is therefore sustainable, like literature or art.
December 7, 2006 at 20:31
Reminds me of another video I saw a few days ago: link
December 7, 2006 at 20:37
Nice! Gottta Muslim version?
December 7, 2006 at 21:41
These are truly thought-provoking videos, as evidenced by the discussion. Will I be using them in the worship services I lead? No. A blanket condemnation of “Christians” by implying they are not “Christ-followers” is the message the seems to come through loud and clear. True—there is more to following Christ than study, appearance, or habits. But there is more to being a Christ-follower than dressing like a slob and being self-righteous and judmental of those who choose to live out thier faith in a different way than we do. I hope these were not intended as invitational videos—I know they would keep me away from a congregation that would promote such judgmental attitudes. Let’s turn off the terminology and the judgment, and help each other walk with Christ—however we dress, wherever we worship. May others always see Christ in us.
December 7, 2006 at 21:57
Life long Christian here to say:
#1) GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR! LIGHTEN UP! God created us in his image, Satan can create nothing only destroy, so because we have a sense of humor God does to…and that goes for Jesus. If your critiqueing these videos seriously, you missed the point…...
#3) This is a classic “Religious Jesus” vs. “Hippie Jesus” problem. He said some very “Religious things” i.e. he expected certain actions from his followers. But he also hung out with prostitutes, tax collecters, went to parties etc….which are not things the average Christian does. Christians tend to be “hip” and go the lax way (christ follwer)...or be legalistic bible nazis (christian). THERE’S TRUTH TO THE MIDDLE!
December 7, 2006 at 22:27
Lol, those are pretty damn awesome. =P I’m an atheist and I got a good laugh out of them.
Thank God (pun not intended?) people are finally trying to break the stereotype.
December 7, 2006 at 22:57
I cannot believe it. You people who don’t get this are EXACTLY the people being mocked. The sad part is that those of us looking in at American Christianity see the “put on” that you are. Just like the guy on the left. If only you would actually follow Christ – this world, this country would be a better place. Read the gospels! You are exactly like the pharisees and nothing like Christ.
My pardons to those of you who do follow Christ. And my thanks. Try to get it to rub off on the rest of the “christians” if you can.
December 7, 2006 at 22:58
Oh yeah, by the way, I thought the videos were very well done and very cute.
December 7, 2006 at 22:59
Another: http://www.608worship.org/
December 7, 2006 at 22:59
Wow. Never thought I could see such a great marketing tool used so… poorly. The videos are about 4x too long, and just beat the point into the ground with a sledgehammer. The point of the original commercials were to make people think… for themselves. They were supposed to see, and not necessarily hear, the differences. I thought that’s what you would try and do here seeing that the main difference is one group trying to be a Christian, and one actually doing it.
December 7, 2006 at 23:04
I’m an atheist and a Mac fan. I found your ads from a link on a tech blog. I found them really confusing.
As an atheist, I can wear whatever I want and listen to whatever music I want just like the “cooler” guy in your ad.
Plus, I get to believe in science and vote for the democrats
December 7, 2006 at 23:47
Thanks for showing these videos – witty and clever! And a fun way to get a good point across!
December 7, 2006 at 23:50
As a Christian, I am really depressed by some of the comments here.
Guys. The video is not saying it’s a bad thing to read the Bible. The video is saying that it’s a bad thing to carry around your Bible all the time just to make sure everyone knows you’re reading it and you’re better than them.
Jesus did not say to advertise your religiosity all the time. Far from it. Jesus said when you pray, go in your room and shut the door. Those who pray on the streetcorner have had their reward.
Furthermore: on what basis is anyone assuming that the Christ-follower doesn’t read the Bible? Since he’s committed to following Christ, I’m sure he does. But he doesn’t wave it in people’s faces, because that’s not what Christ called him to do. Perhaps if the other man hadn’t already been a Christian, he would’ve begun sharing the good news.
December 7, 2006 at 23:53
Fun, catchy and outside the mold.
but I get the impression that your church is a church of “cool people”, and if you are not, you are not welcome. That isn’t the message of Christ, now, is it? I certainly hope not.
December 8, 2006 at 00:35
Much of theme seems to be lost on some of the commentors – the arguement here that the left user uses religion as a label and extreme, in contrast it the right user who lives a life of simplicity and acceptance, or am I wrong on this? I didn’t see the right user as ‘too cool’ for christianity, just someone who seems to choose a life without those mortal barriers.
Nevertheless, I’m not a christian, I’ve always felt the user on the left pushed me away… but I’d sit down with the person on the right and learn from them. I don’t think they’d force me to mirror their life; that’s just an onlookers opinion. Maybe some of the commentors are afraid of seeing change or old methods fade? Religion is like much in this regard.
December 8, 2006 at 01:16
Most of the posters here are already going to a church. The ads were never intended for you!! Of course you don’t get it. Of course you think its mocking you.
They were intended for the non-church goer, to get them to go! Don’t you see that the non-churcher goers think if they go to church they have to be like the guy on the left? Don’t you see that’s NOT attracting people to Christ, and if anything it repels them?
December 8, 2006 at 02:18
In the words of Ghandi:
I like your christ
I don’t like your christians
They are so unlike your christ
December 8, 2006 at 02:21
I love these videos. It is about time, that a Christian organization uses technology like it should be used. In the 21st century!!!
Please make some more, you have set an example of how a Christian product should be. The mere fact that it has caught the attention of many “non-christian” tech fans, who by nature are very cynical of anything to do with church, christ, or any derivations thereof, shows how good the ads are.
I am a christ-follower and I absolutely love these ads!
Btw, you get extra brownie points for using youtube, utilizing digg (or at least acknowledging the traffic from digg), and for having a nicely designed/easily-readable website.
Love it all. Keep up the good work.
December 8, 2006 at 02:24
Very nice!
Remember to dress for church.
December 8, 2006 at 02:40
An interesting parody of the Mac ads.
I think that this set of ads, unfortunately, suffers the same fate: the “good guy” (the “Christ-follower” instead of the “Mac”) ends up coming off a bit condescending.
It is a tough piece of marketing to pull off. There is a reason that Apple is moving away from their campaign.
December 8, 2006 at 04:24
Q. What do you call a Christ-follower who shuns the Bible?
A. A fool for Christ.
Whether you’re a “Christian” or a “Christ-follower”, read Ephesians 6:13-18. These videos are at best, missing the point and at worst, misleading.
December 8, 2006 at 05:25
Penelope,
The whole point of having a relationship with Christ is being able to pray to Him wherever you are.
Since when does carrying the Bible around, scream, “I’m better than you?” You’re automatically assuming the worst of someone based on their appearance. How is that fair? It’s clear in the video, that the guy on the left fits your stereotype, but not every Bible-carrying Christian is going to fit your stereotype. The most underlining problem with these videos, is that they fail to recognize the diversity found in Christians. It’s highly impractical and disingenuous to classify Christians into two groups or two schools of thought.
December 8, 2006 at 06:30
Loved the videos and couldn’t agree more. It’s funny to read the comments of people squirming, saying things that prove the point of (and the reason for making) the videos.
We deal a lot with the hypocrisy and clueless Christianity that the “PC” displays. So many layers of expectations of what a Christian looks like and listens to… that has nothing to do with Christ. We create a subculture for our own comfort and end up loosing relevancy with those around us.
December 8, 2006 at 06:50
And both still refuse to believe in evolution. sigh
December 8, 2006 at 06:54
I can understaand why this video was made in many ways, however, I’m not convinced that this is all in all helpful.
As some people mentioned before there is a sense of division within the clip, and its not one the church needs. People have to realize that as apart of the body of Christ people will reflect and display God in their own lives in different ways. There are people who would respect a more outward and scholarly approach as opposed to the contemporary relaxed image. To deny one or the other would in essence say that we don’t need one part of the body.
Now I do believe that the relaxed image is important in order to reach out to a particular section of society, but I don’t think anyone would be as bold as to claim that this was in any way the best course of action for all Christians.
December 8, 2006 at 08:50
I am a big Mac fan and I must say you did a geat job with the “look and feel” of those ads. However…
I feel you went too far in mocking Christians (and yes, that IS the correct term). I am a Christian and proud of it. I also listen to non “Christian” music, I don’t carry my tith envelope in my front pocket or have bumper stickers on my car, but I am not downing those who do.
You have valid points to make and as a Christian, I understand them, I’m not sure a non-christian would. They may just see it as validation of their lifestyle. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN BEING A GOOD PERSON AND BEING A CHRISTIAN AND IT GOES BEYOND WHAT EITHER OF YOUR CHARACTERS ARE SHOWING. I would hope that BOTH use reason in their decision making. I would also hope that BOTH would read and study their Bible. The whole idea that carrying you Bible would be a negative disturbs me.
I KNOW THIS IS A PLAY ON THE APPLE ADS, but with alittle more thought, you might have presented a better insight as to what a Christian really is.
December 8, 2006 at 10:06
OK, first let me say great idea, and some of it is rather humerous. The guy on the left does remind me of the Christian who is trying to be seen and heard with the “holier than thou” imagery, but I believe that most of you videos does not show who a Christian really is.
Firstly, Jesus may have never had a religious service while he was alive, but His followers broke bread “on the first day of the week” – Acts 20:7. So if they broke bread (meaning the Lords Supper) on the first day of the week (which would be Sunday for us) shouldn’t we follow in the apostles footsteps?
Secondly, in the first (the one with the religious guy holding all the books) is actually correct on a little bit of it. Christians are not supposed to be Christians that flaunt their Christianity. We are to do everything the Love of the Lord which doesn’t boast ( see 1 Corinthians 13). However in my view of this video, the guy on the left seemed to be saying that he didn’t need to study God’s word at all, or show the world the love of Christ. That is completely wrong. We are to study daily the Word of God – 1 Tim 4:15 (which I know that we all fall short of including me
), and we are the ”... salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” – Matt. 5:13
And thirdly, this is more of an opinion than actual fact, but if we go to worship God, then why wouldn’t we want to wear are best? This doesn’t me suit and tie neccessarily, just the best that we own. I mean we’re going to a meeting to worship the one who gave us everything we have and see all around, the one who’s Son died upon the cross so that we could be free, but you wouldn’t want to wear you best for Him? You wouldn’t want to try and look your best? i don’t know, I personally think that if I’m going to worship God I should be dressed in the best manner I can (like I said before, this doesn’t mean a suit neccesarily).
I’m not trying to sound pretentious, or trying to be self-righteous, I’m probably the least qualified to be speaking here, but I feel that these things that I mentioned needed to be addressed. May God bless you throughout your life, and to Brady J. Email me if you would like to talk about the Word of God, I would be glad to study with you :D.
December 8, 2006 at 10:26
These videos, while clever and well-taken, are actually a lot like the bumper stickers that are mocked within them. Pot, meet kettle.
December 8, 2006 at 10:38
My comment is about 3 miles down the page by now, but here goes.
I agree with so many comments above that the message of these videos misses the point. Obviously we’re supposed to see that the “Christian” in the suit is a legalist and that the “Christ-follower” is free from the law and living by the Gospel.
Problem is this… as many others have mentioned, the “Christ-follower” is pushing a set of man-made “laws” as much as the “Christian” is. He more or less says that his way of dressing, his style of worship, etc. is THE way. So what’s wrong with this?
Check out Galatians… Paul makes it clear that neither being “circumcised” nor “uncircumcised” is the answer. He points out to the “foolish Galatians” that they’ve traded away their adherence to pagan laws only to be “bewitched” into being under Jewish law. They missed the point that the Gospel is all that is necessary and that adding anything to it makes you not a follower of Christ, but a follower of the “law” of whatever you’ve added to it.
In these videos, the “Christ-follower” has traded away adherence to legalism only to become a slave to his own set of man-made laws. Cool not “alien and stranger”, jeans not suits, easy-going not devout, The Message not King James, etc. I can only imagine how a person in a suit would be treated at this guy’s church. To me, the “Christ-follower” projects not a freedom in Christ, but slavery under a law of coolness and cultural relevance.
This brings me to my last point. Being a follower of Christ is neither respectable
(the “Christian”) nor is it cool (the “Christ-follower”). It is radically counter-cultural. The good news of the Gospel is that Christ died to redeem and make righteous broken, needy, sinful people (ie. everyone). It seems to me that neither guy in the video sees himself as anything but “having it all together”.
December 8, 2006 at 11:09
not bad..i like…should be shorter though and more to the point.
December 8, 2006 at 11:27
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
December 8, 2006 at 11:37
Which of the two fellows is the “self-righteous” one, and which is the “true follower of Jesus?”
They both seem about the same to me. Both are true followers who love Jesus, each of them casts aspersions on the other, and each of them has that “proud look” in his eye, as if to say, “I’ve discovered the true path.”
I think the makers of this video are smiling, and no doubt frustrated, at many of the comments here that suggest one of them is the “Jesus follower” and the other is the “Christian.” Both are both, and I think that was the deliberate intention of the producers of the video.
December 8, 2006 at 12:42
Brant:
...and I am a “Christian-follower of Christ” and I believe in science and vote for democrats as well. Actually there are a lot of us who do.
P.S. I found the videos quite comical. Unfortunately, sometimes I think many we are too quick to be defensive (all the while calling others too judgemental.. interesting). Let’s try to lighten up a bit and not overspiritualize everything. The videos were funny, and they’re just videos.
December 8, 2006 at 12:57
Two considerations:
1) Notice how Apple made their commercials 30 seconds long. Less is more here and belaboring the point diminishes the point. It could have been funny and made a point by not appearing to be mocking, but it missed out on that because each video was too long.
2) Notice, too, how the “Apple guy” is always nice if not a bit amused by the “PC guy”. In fact, in several ads the “Apple guy” compliments the “PC guy” on areas where he’s strong – spreadsheets, data, etc and then points out how he’s got a different way of doing things. It’s up to the viewer to decide that the “Apple” is easier to work with and more fun to use.
Therefore, in the same way, it could have been much more powerful if the “Follower” would have been complimentary a bit and then pointed out how his perceptions are different.
At the end of the day, though, these videos were intended for an audience who want to know about or who are already “Followers”. Had they been better scripted and 30 seconds in length without the jabs, even the “Christian” guys represented here in these replies would have less of issue with the spots and could have valued them for being a good way of exploring different church styles.
They simply missed the mark by overdoing it.
December 8, 2006 at 12:58
I have read every comment, and only one came even close to touching on what I think.
Devotion to Christ often looks identical to idolatry. I know those who like the Christian man, dress up on Sunday because they want to look good, and they peruse scriptures and religious texts deeply, becoming “gospel scholars,” and yet completely missing the Good News of the true Christ.
I also know those who dress very nicely on Sundays because it shows their deep, abiding love and respect of the All-Powerful being who through the sacrifice of His Son, allows us to be with Him again someday. These people peruse scriptures and religious texts deeply, becoming “gospel scholars,” and yet never lose sight of the Good News of the Gospel.
A man who proclaims his faith in bumper stickers may feel such a genuine, humble joy in his God that he wants to proclaim it to the world. Another man may do it in genuine joy, with a self-righteous tint. These two men are virtually indistinguishable from each other.
There are those who do not dress up on Sunday, internally congratulating themselves on not being such uptight hypocrites as those who do. And there are those who do not get dressed up on Sundays who also do not get offended at the nicely dressed folks, hypocrites or not, because they understand that people express their faith differently, and a man who appears to be a hypocrite on the outside may not actually be a hypocrite on the inside. Only God can judge.
So what does this all mean? The outside of a Christian says much about the inside of a Christian. But the outside clues are so subtle that people often try to lump them into broad, easily reconizable categories, such as dress code.
It is the motive that makes the Christian. There is not a middle ground between these two archetypes. Both could be correct or incorrect together. The guy on the right is in danger of saying, “Once I accept Christ, I can do anything, say anything, wear any clothes, and otherwise destroy, disrespect, or defile the temple of my body and life any way I want and still be acceptable to Him.”
The guy on the left is in danger of saying, “If I have all the trappings of being a Christian, then I must be accepted of him.” (And indeed, this is what the videos portray.)
But a true devotion to the God of Heaven and Earth says simply, “I believe. I would be like Him any way I can. If I learn that He desires me to look my best on Sundays as a measure of respect, I will do so. If He says that my service to others and the inner glow of love should display louder than any bumper sticker I might have on my car, I will do so. As the Spirit guides me, I will sacrifice my own desires, pride, self-importance, time, money, and talents to His cause without complaining or proclaiming.”
Christianity is what you ARE, not what you DO. Just as the moon merely reflects the light of the much brighter sun, our actions should naturally flow from what we are (beloved children of God) rather than brazenly blinding the world with what we think a Christian should do.
After all, it is what you do when you are alone, not when others are watching, that really speaks of your true Christianity. And if your actions vary depending on the proximity of others, then you are not truly committed to Christ yet.
Sorry for the length.
December 8, 2006 at 14:25
Perhaps we do need to be shaken up a bit. Our churches are filled with people who claim Christ but walk out the door, check ‘do church’ off their list, take off their suit and become their normal evil selves the rest of the week. Wolves in sheeps’ clothing (literally) make all of us appear to be the hypocrites that the world associates with Christians.
I SO could care less if you wear a suit or sweats to church, because it’s JUST a building and deserves NO more reverence than a bus station. Likewise, the church is the body of believers that span the globe, not only those that meet in the local First Baptist on Church St.
No pretty suit or hipster chic can hide an unclean heart, and the ugliest of rags can’t mask the sweet heart that’s been cleaned by Christ. These videos are beautiful and I wish more people would stop identifying themselves as Christians as the name is so watered down that it only does Christ’s work harm now. Sad, heartbreaking even, but true.
December 8, 2006 at 14:46
Kevin,
I’m not assuming it because the guy was carrying his Bible around. I am saying it because he was so eager to talk about his Bible reading – not about what’s in the Bible, but simply about how much he reads it. And because he’s so quick to demand to know where the other guy’s Bible is, and to assume – like many of the commenters here – that someone who doesn’t carry their Bible around in public doesn’t read it in private either.
And I am afraid the theory that Jesus wants us to pray publicly, where others will be sure to see us, is simply not what he says in Matthew 6:4-6 at all.
December 8, 2006 at 15:44
Like IanVass said, it’s hard to tell the inner motivations of man so maybe everyone should leave the judging to God.
the videos: cute, i get where they’re coming from, but ultimately they’re smug and condescending (not unlike the apple ads themselves).
Oh, and I like how they’re for $ale.
December 8, 2006 at 16:15
I only respond to this to say that a lot of energy is being exherted here on something that is not going to change anything in the eternities. As if what people do could stop, taint, or change God’s work on this earth. His work will go forward with or without us. He loves us no matter who we are or what we do. WE choose. He has given us agency to choose. Take responsibility for who you are instead of pointing at everyone else. We choose how close we want to be to Him. And if someone has chosen not to live that life, it’s not my place to judge. It’s my place to make sure that I’m living my life the way I know best. And I assume everyone else is doing the same. ianvass above was correct in everything he said. I like that he said Christianity is who we are, not what we do.
December 8, 2006 at 17:02
The suited dude and the casual dude seemed
to both have certain stereotypes stuck in their souls. But we Christians, Christ followers, Bible believers, or whatever you want to call us just need to learn to connect to God through Christ and just BE. If we can get there or to a place in that general vicinity, then we will have really made it to a place where we have become really worthwhile and valuable to God. It’s easy, right ? Just get the heart right, and everything else will follow !!
Peace and love from John M. !!
December 8, 2006 at 17:59
I was directed to this conversation from a website I frequent that commonly has postings about agnosticism and atheism. You see, I am a lifelong devout agnostic. I am intrigued by the conversation I’ve seen here among, as has already been noted, mostly Christian believers. I thought you might be interested in my take. For most of my life I have had a live and let live attitude about religious beliefs (despite the fact that, for many purposes in American society, my religious beliefs automatically disqualify me for reciprocal attitudes of toleration). But in the last 10 years my attitude has changed. I will spare you the long list of my many grievances with organized religion and Christianity. I suspect most of the readers of this website could rattle off 90% of them with nary a pause. Where I used to see a mostly benign social construct in religion I now see a cancer on humanity that is malign, malignant, and corrupted to its very core. I find it either laughable or tragic – I’m not sure which – that you have invested so much in debate on the subtle nuances between your Christian and your Christ-follower. I imagine that somewhere in the U.S. government there was also a vigorous debate about what brand of band-aids to purchase for the Iraqi war. As if that decision made the least difference to the, now, hundreds of thousands of casualties.
December 8, 2006 at 18:35
People are saying the Christ-Follower is too arrogant. I don’t see how because he doesn’t really say anything. He just listens to the Christian. The Christ-Follower is an accurate representation of “Fundies” that should be exposed just as Jesus exposed people who focus on the law. They did a pretty good job with the videos. And just a brief comment for those that think dressing up to church is good…it alienates people who can’t afford to dress up.
December 8, 2006 at 18:40
Kudos on the fantastic comments, everyone. Wow.
December 8, 2006 at 20:39
I thought of these videos in the same way I think of parables.
The characters are stereotypes. I can live with that.
Sometimes there’s a little of us in each of the characters.
Or sometimes there’s a little of us in the one who’s listening to the story, or making up the story.
I was amused, and not offended.
(But maybe it’s because I display a different type of bumper stickers, on the one hand, and wear my “Sunday best” animal rights T-shirts to church on the other.)
December 8, 2006 at 21:35
I can see where you’re trying to say: we’re not the same old church that you’re sick of. We don’t fit the (sometimes well deserved) stereotypes of “church.” You might have had a bad experience somewhere else but we’re not like that.
And perhaps that is effective for some people. I’m sure you will have dozens of new people who come to church and tell you that they are there because of the ads. So good.
But I worry for what those people may someday become. I hope they come to faith. I hope they believe with all their hearts. And this ad will pass out of memory. But what you’re setting up for is a whole group of second-class Christians… the “Christians.” They read their Bibles. They wear suits. They listen to cheesy Christian music. They think you should wear suits and read Bibles and listen to Christian music too.
What is being implied? That at CCC, we REALLY love Jesus. We really follow him. We got past shallow a long time ago. We’re cool. We’re savvy to ipods and we listen to… predictibly… U2. And we are certainly better than those guys with the suits.
At some point, I think that you will discover that your marketing and humor goes only so far towards actually knowing Jesus… because the contempt that is conveyed is what will keep you away from Him.
A final note: I think Joel Hunter mentioned that the two men are more similar than they might think. But the difference is that “Christian” has created his own culture, and “Christ-follower” has grazed from white, pop, american sub-culture AND Christian American sub-culture. So it’s U2 but not Nine Inch Nails, or John Lee Hooker, or Glen Miller, or Bach. It’s a loose sweatshirt but not a track suit or a plain button down shirt. (Did anyone else predict that the Christ-follower would be listening to the universally-acceptable U2?)
In trying to be unique and clever, you have only copied (as Christians are so apt to do) a good idea from the world, cite U2, and thank God that you’re not like that Pharisee.
December 8, 2006 at 22:20
The problem with the commercials – or more accurately, the problem with casting the “Christ-follower” as the “good guy” – is that, at least from my perspective as someone who has been on the front lines in the debate over Christ in the Episcopal Church, it’s very easy to claim to “follow Christ in the way one lives one’s life,” and miss the entire point of Jesus Christ, which was not doing good deeds, but believing in Him as the son of God who died on the cross to save you from your sins. He was God incarnate, sent to redeem you and offer you salvation and eternal life. As noted in James, good works should flow from one’s faith, but let’s face it – one can follow any number of mortal examples, and be a shining example of a human being: Ghandi, the Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa immediately come to mind. But none of them can reconcile you to God. Only Christ can do that.
Now, perhaps that’s what our “Christ-follower” believes, but it’s impossible to tell from these spots. In fact, I’d have to say that his statements hint to the contrary. But it’s not hard to tell that the Christian character, however objectionable he’s supposed to be, almost certainly accepts Jesus Christ as his savior, not just a good guy you’d do well to emulate. The “Christ follower” is very obviously well-satisfied with himself; one finds it easy to believe he has completely missed Christ’s point of salvation through transformation.
It would help if, during the Christ-follower’s many one-liners, he’d mention that he doesn’t need to wear a suit to be saved by the blood of the Lamb, or listen to nothing but Christian music to be redeemed by Christ’s death on the cross. Then you’d have something. You’d be taking ownership of the term “Christian” in a way Christ would applaud. As it is, our “Christ follower” sounds a lot like a Unitarian, and as such can count himself out as being among the saved.
There is a third character missing here: The one who has faith that Christ is the son of God, but doesn’t display his pledge card in his suit pocket… the one who takes up his cross, but doesn’t let bumper stickers do his evangelizing… the one who is washed in the blood of the Lamb, not ironically contemptuous of those who aren’t as hip as he is.
December 8, 2006 at 22:53
I thank you, sah. I do not believe what you believe, but these videos are quite refreshing.
December 8, 2006 at 23:02
Its interesting to see how many of you christians from the West react to all of this supposed body language and tones of voice. Gosh, one thing is for sure. You all think its about you. Let me give you a hint. *It aint about you, it’s about the Anointed One”
December 8, 2006 at 23:36
I found these videos to be very entertaining.
I feel the true question is whether or not it’s better to be religious or spiritual. I’ll take the latter any day.
Faith is an important thing, whether it’s in a God who created the world in 7 days or of a sun which returns after a long rain.
December 9, 2006 at 00:24
I really think all of you are missing the point of these videos. They are not to poke fun at the more “right wing” Christians, nor to add further seperation to the Christian religion. I think what these videos are trying to say is that dressing nice, reading a bible, and listening to Christian music does NOT make you a Christian. I think this video is trying to show us that a lot of people out there like to call themselves Christian just because they attend church and read up on their scripture, while missing the point of Christianity entirely. The man on the right is merely trying to convey that to be Christian is to act Christian. Do as Jesus does, and live your life as a servent to Him. You dont have to listen to. You dont have to carry a Bible around, or listen to gospel to be a good Christian.
December 9, 2006 at 00:53
It was just these sorts of Christians that turned me off from the church in the first place. More often than not it seemed like these people were in some sort of private competition for the most pious. Some of the most ethical, moral people I’ve known have been of the more, for lack of a better term, laid back types.
Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. I just think it’s a more productive use of ones time and energy to do good for others than trying to maintain the appearance of one who does good.
December 9, 2006 at 04:05
as an outside opinion, from someone who grew up in a christian home and still holds some faith…
this is just one more example of how christianity merely parodies pop culture in order to sell jesus. it’s marketing, and not very clever at that. just like those awful “Lord’s Gym” t-shirts from “back in the day.”
christians (and “christ followers”) need to learn that they can’t sell jesus with rip-off marketing scheme…
December 9, 2006 at 10:17
Couldn’t of said it better, bri…
December 9, 2006 at 11:17
Interesting commercials. We discuss our faith in God and our love for Macs each week on godsmac.com. Would love to have you on the podcast to talk more in depth about the reasoning behind making the videos, how you handled showing them to your church body (if you did), and of course…..anything Apple-related.
December 9, 2006 at 12:41
As long as we keep bickering about the “right” way to follow Christ, nobody is going to listen. They think we’re a bunch of “nut jobs” and if we can’t have a little fun with the stereotype of the fundy, then the world will never take us seriously. I love the ads, I’m ashamed of the derogatory comments about a church that has tried so hard to engage the culture and say, “We don’t have it right, but we love Christ and we’re willing to try to engage the world in a conversation.”
December 9, 2006 at 14:44
dell computer = $1000
monthly internet access = $29
getting to see followers of this religious sect acknowledge the superficiality and hypocrisy you folks present out to the rest of us
= priceless
December 9, 2006 at 16:01
I don’t like either of these guys. The one is obviously vain, overly-concerned with the presentation rather than the message, and ego-driven in his worship. The other still goes to church, thinks U2 is cool, and doesn’t really have much to say.
Like someone said above, you don’t have to be a good person to be a Christian. I’ll take it a step further and say you have to be a bad person to be a Christian. You have to think you’re better than people; you have to deny basic logic; and you have to force your worldview on those around you. Christians don’t really improve anything.
A Christ-follower might be “good” but there’s still so much ignorance in what they believe and follow. Going to Church is archaic, no matter if you do it in your jeans or a suit. Fine, you’re enlightened about the Beatitudes, and you listen to socially-conscious music, but you still read and believe a book written 2000 years ago who had no reckoning of a scientific discipline.
They need a third guy—the well-informed humanist who listens to Neil Young, carries around a copy of something by Susan Sontag or Thoreau, and lives his life trying to be a good person instead of trying to imitate what someone else told him was a good person.
December 9, 2006 at 17:59
I have read the discussion with great interest having viewed the commercials. I get it…but I’m afraid many do not understand the parody. I have been around many people in my lifetime who call themselves Christians, yet haven’t the tolerance or understanding to accept the fact that there are other “Christians,” called here Christ Followers who have slightly or greatly differing beliefs. We’re all Christians. You can live your life following the teachings of Jesus but do not have to fit into a rigid box with set definitions. The books and THE BOOK were written/edited/translated by people claiming to the the words of a higher being or spirit. We can only take their word for it. Editors leave in the information they deem appropriate and leave out what they believe is insignificant. Too many organized religions play the game that theirs is the right way and others are following the wrong path. They need to understand that it’s OK to be different with different beliefs. We find this in life in so many places. “I’m OK. You’re not!”
December 9, 2006 at 20:05
Jesus hates religion. He was killed, in part, because he would not follow the traditions of the elders. The “Christian” in this parody has new traditions of the elders, every bit as repugnant as those of the Pharisees. Granted, there is little theological content presented here, and I assume that the Christ follower is focusing on a relationship with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven and not just being a hipster. That said, you cannot take this parody too far, and the more offensive (to the Christian subculture) the better. Why? Because most churches lose their youth in one or two generations, when the youth refuse to stick with the retarded insitutionalism and religious formalism of their parents (See Barna’s research). The issue parodied here is life or death, and perpetuating a ‘happy smiley subculture’ at the expense of the souls of entire generations is an abomination.
December 9, 2006 at 21:35
I’m a 20 year long TV editor/producer and I don’t think they’re that well made – primarily the acting and writing needed to be snappier because it takes too long to get to the point. I disagree entirely with one comment above that the comic timing is good – it’s not. The idea is very good (9/10), but the execution is below average (4/10).
Also, I agree with the reservations of some Christians here that the message (when it gets there) isn’t very clear – it’s open to too many interpretations.
I do find it sad that some non-Christians posted comments here and think this is another opportunity to knock Christian belief. “Going to church is archaic”, or “deny basic logic”, or “They need to understand that it’s OK to be different with different beliefs.” The level of ignorance and arrogance displayed in these statements is shocking. Clearly they are disparaging something they do not fully understand, something all Christians encounter.
Ironically, these ads are clearly motivated to get Christians to live lives that more accurately reflect Jesus Christ, so that this kind of dismissive behaviour towards Christianity will be limited. It’s hard to criticize a belief system that actually focuses on the internal need for change working outward into the world, rather than appearances that end up with cloistered people who don’t do anything for others. What would Jesus do? Well, I doubt he would wear a suit or have a j-pod, but he might just study a bit…
“Christians don’t really improve anything.”? That’s just silly.
Finally, on a personal note – something that REALLY grates on me – the music choice is awful (it’s not even remotely like the original Apple ad) and mixed too loud over the narrative. If you make any more, engage a good producer and/or editor for some advice.
December 9, 2006 at 22:39
It seems questionable to me that the “Christ-Followers” who made the video with the purpose of communicating that it doesn’t matter what you wear or listen to to follow Christ while demeaning the traditional Christian for what they wear and listen to. A “Christ-Follower” may argue that what they’re putting down the behavior and not the Christians. But, what we say, how we act, what we do, and how we dress makes up whom we are.
Telling the Christians they need to be more world like to win over members is unbiblical. Jesus had many followers until He began to speak on what was necessary to follow Him. Those who followed Him decided that it was too hard and 150 of His followers went their way. The twelve He chose remained. Following Jesus is not about an easy and unchanged life. It is a narrow and difficult road.
Furthermore, I think that using Mac’s commercial format can only fail to communicate the “Christ-Follower’s” message. Since the purpose of the original commercial is to show that one is better than the other, these videos communicate the same thing. To communicate that one type of believer is better than another is to communicate pride and superiority. I suggest that the “Christ-Followers” find another, more loving, format to communicate their ideas.
December 10, 2006 at 03:35
Hey guys? It’s me, the one you’ve been trying to convert all these years. Guess what? I’m not listening.
The most intolerant, short-sighted and ignorant people I have met in my life have all been fundamentalists. You pick the faith, it’s all the same. I’ve sat next to the video Christian on the left at work, and had to tiptoe around his sensitive feelings on every subject. No thanks. The guy on the right is a little better, but not by much. They are both smug and entitled.
Look, it’s not what you wear, or listen to, or ostentatiously read. It’s how you act. It’s how you treat other people.
I’m not interested in being told I’m wrong or foolish for not sharing your faith. I’m not interested in having my civil rights taken away because I don’t agree with you. I’m absolutely outraged at the people that imply I’m trash because I am a liberal.
From what I see and hear, a lot of religious people are afraid to think for themselves. It’s much easier to give another power all the control of your life. It absolves you from all responsibility…except it doesn’t.
I’ve read the bible, more than once. I think the best bits have all been left out because somewhere along the line they offended someone. Maybe it’s really the word of “god”, or maybe it’s a only a collection of stories. No one has proved to me it is either way, and before you offer to “teach” me, forget it. I don’t see many Christians acting like Christ, the guy you claim to adore. I see people so worried about the sins of others they never bother to look at their own. I think Christ, if he exists, weeps at what has been done in his name.
I will do my best to co-exist with you, because it is a small planet. I doubt that this comment will be published, though, because in all the dealings I’ve had with Christians, not one has ever really wanted to hear my point of view. They’ve been waiting for me to stop talking so they can tell me that I’m wrong.
December 10, 2006 at 09:13
I see here a lot of clever charicature and mockery, but not much by way of substantial critique which has any basis in reality. True, a lot of “Christians” can be stuck-up snobs. But I believe that the existence of these parodies demonstrates that a lot of people who would clasify themselves as “Christ-followers” can be as well. Setting “Christians” over against “Christ followers” is dangerous and I believe out of line with the mission and heart of Jesus.
We are brothers in Christ. We should not be mocking each other. There actually isn’t anyone out there who is like the “Christian” portrayed here. There are people who share similar views, but they’re not idiots. They have reasons for why they do what they do and think the way they think. And they don’t hate Jesus.
December 10, 2006 at 10:37
Hmm, I suppose I like these, I love the Mac vs Pc analogy, I’ve done it my self, I go to a rock and roll, blue jean church on Saturday.
However, as much as I agree with mr mac Christ follower. Jesus himself is full of forgivness and mercy. All streams of christian are really christ followers. I know conservative kjv Baptists, conservative roman Catholics and liberal United Church of Christ gay preachers. The one common denominator we hold is Jesus, perhaps a third character in the videos. Sort of a “Hi my name is Jesus” guy who encourages community and forgiveness.
Nice work though.
December 10, 2006 at 15:23
Right idea … kinda the wrong spirit though. I try to be a “follower of Christ” and I’ve been a Mac user since 1984. I know what you’re trying to do and it’s clever … but, I feel the same way about the Mac commercials as I do about these parodies. I get it, and I can’t help but laugh … but in the end … how can I put this …. nobody really likes a smart ass. Who’s your audience?
December 10, 2006 at 18:56
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”—G.K. Chesterton
While I grant that these videos could be interpreted as mocking the behavior of those who belong to more conservative denominations, the fact nevertheless remains that there are more than a few members of those denominations who are equally if not even more contemptuous towards people who choose not to make a public show of their beliefs. Neither one of the people in these videos is entirely justified in his attitude towards the other and in an ideal world, this wouldn’t happen—especially not in light of the fact that there are so many more important things that we could and should be paying attention to instead of engaging in the ego trip of trying to prove our beliefs better than those of other Christians. That being said, however, this is unfortunately not a perfect world—all of us need a little prodding from time to time in order to keep us moving in the direction of becoming more Christlike because EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US falls short.
I don’t think that these videos are necessarily un-Christian and I think they make a point. After all, Christ’s merciful nature did not prevent Him from taking the Pharisees to task for their hypocrisy—especially with regard to being self-righteous. However, the video also defeats its own argument to at least some extent because the makers are just as guilty in their own way of being judgmental and condescending as the more conservative Christians whom they have lampooned.
December 10, 2006 at 22:31
I guess I’m a bit confused? I don’t know which one I’m supposed to like. The ‘christian’ looks as if he’s all show, trying to make the ‘Christ follower’ look bad, and the ‘Christ follower’ is of a lot closer resemblence to what we see in the majority all of the ‘non-denominational’ churches these days.
In all honesty, I wish Christians would stop ripping off the work of others so obviously, whether it be like this, or the Christian music that is the exact same intrumentation as pop culture songs but with re-written sappy God friendly lyrics.
December 10, 2006 at 23:56
This really should read “Modern” vs. “Postmodern”. The video is arrogant. I wear sandals to church, am a rock’n’roll worship leader, and appreciate much of the “emergent” movement. But this video is not helpful. Enough people have said that Christ would not point fingers at other Christ-followers. That’s what this video does. You point fingers at the stream of faith that many of us came to follow Christ within. In fact, most people who’d call themselves emergent came to Christ in churches with at least one of the issues raised by these videos. That’s why they’re rebelling and creating the “emergent” church. That’s great and God uses that reaction to reach the younger generations (I’m a Buster or Gen-Xer), but the problem is that the creators of these videos presume that these modernistic expressions of faith were not intended by God. They were. Because they happened and are still happening in very authentic followers of the same Christ that you and I follow. It is arrogant and divisive. It does not help.
December 11, 2006 at 03:30
Penelope,
Please go back and read Matt 6:1-6 from the beginning. There’s no shame in prayer and there’s no shame in carrying a Bible. There’s shame in hypocrisy. I believe Matt 6:4-6 is a warning to those who seek the glory of men over the glory of God. In other words, don’t carry a Bible or pray standing up if you’re seeking worldly rewards. Also consider Matt 5:15, Mark 4:21, and Luke 11:33. Praying in public does not have to be vocal or even demonstrative. Surely, you could pray standing up with eyes open. I’m by no means, an expert on the Bible, but I would beg you to consider many more verses before drawing such a critical conclusion.
There are those that seek worldly rewards, often found in TV evangelists and mega-churches, but then there’s the poor preacher at the small church that really cares about the people and trusts in God. The poor preacher is not perfect by any means, but stands in stark contrast to those that seek a more glamorous lifestyle. I believe that Matt 6:1-6 is more of a warning to the poor preacher at the small church and really anyone else that’s called to a position of spiritual leadership.
December 11, 2006 at 11:15
Here’s an easy distinction between Christian and Christ-follower:
The Christian greets me at church with, “I didn’t see you at church last Sunday” leaving me feeling guilty, not measuring up to his standards.
The Christ-follower greets me with a genuine pleasure to see me, no put-downs, no expectations, just brotherly love.
December 11, 2006 at 11:41
(Disclaimer: I’m an atheist)
I find it odd that some people here have been portraying the “Christian” character as being not “of the world”, whereas the “Christ-follower” is seen as “worldly”. To me it seems a preoccupation with outward signs, visible manifestations of faith (like bumper stickers) is the more “worldly” approach.
December 11, 2006 at 11:51
For consistency sake, if the idea of being a Christian is that much of a turn-off, maybe the church doing the parodies should change their name to “Community Christ-follower Church” – that way people won’t see them as being so “out of touch.”
December 11, 2006 at 12:48
Holy Crap. I came to this link to see the videos. What I didn’t expect was the 165 responses debating them. I skipped 99% of your comments because to read them would be ridiculous.
Here are my thoughts.
1.) It’s a parody. It’s funny. If you’re treating this as a serious critique, you need to calm down and watch an episode of The Simpsons or something.
2.) If you’re the type who gets upset about this, you need to grow up. Spend less time being offended, and more time working in a soup kitchen. Then maybe your senses would be redirected toward something positive like addressing real problems in the world.
3.) If you’ve spent the time to read and respond and debate the finer points of whatever you’re trying to prove, you too should do something more productive with your time. Anonymous internet comments hardly warrant the kind of attention your giving it, and you’re probably not going to change anyone’s mind anyway.
Peace out and have a very Merry Christmas!
December 11, 2006 at 12:54
I think part of the criticism of the “Christian” in the videos is a criticism of his vanity: the prominently displayed donation envelope, the suit, the stack of Christian books, the ‘right’ version of the Bible in its special Bible caddy, the ‘jpod’.
Basically, it seems that he wants people to be impressed by these things, and for them to represent how godly he is (or thinks he is, or wishes he could be.)
I suppose the “Christ follower” tries to lead by example, rather than leading by paraphernalia. You can dress a mannequin in a suit and WWJD bracelet, and surround it with Christian books and a jpod, but that doesn’t make the mannequin a Christian (or a Christ-follower).
December 11, 2006 at 13:00
Consider the irony that the name of this website is Think Christian.
Regardless of what you call yourself, followers of Jesus Christ will be called either fanatics or hypocrites (and most likely both) by the world.
That goes for either of the two men in the ads.
“All they that live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution.”
December 11, 2006 at 13:14
Kevin wrote, way up there,
“Q. What do you call a Christ-follower who shuns the Bible?
A. A fool for Christ.”
The Bible doesn’t work by osmosis, so merely carrying one around won’t do you any good.
December 11, 2006 at 13:21
One last comment.
Someone should make a similar Apple-style video, with Elijah on the left and a guy on the right with a full head of hair. The guy on the right would make fun of Elijah’s baldness, then bears would attack him.
That’d be amusing. It’d probably work best as a Flash cartoon.
December 11, 2006 at 13:28
As I watched the videos I thought, Finally someone has the courage to point out how silly most Christians look to those on the outside. The average non-Christian doesn’t want to become a Christian for fear of becoming bigotted and narrowminded. The image most people have of Christians is not kind. The reason was stated well by Ghandi as previously mentioned “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, for they are so very unlike your Christ.” It would be good to start following Jesus and not Christianity. They are not the same.
December 11, 2006 at 13:57
What’s MOST hilarious is the “log in the eye” syndrome: the hypocrisy of mocking one generation’s cultural idiosyncracies as failing to capture the mind of Christ while failing to notice one’s own generational cultural idiosyncracies.
But after the hilarity is past, all I’m left with is “sad, sad, sad.”
If postmodern followers of Jesus wish to emulate the living Jesus more than the image of Jesus in our heads, we must never forget that Jesus loved to hang out with the outcast… yet ALSO hung out with the incast. He continued to party, not only with the publicans and sinners, but alwo with scribes and pharisees. We have to get free of our culture’s “either/or” judgmentalism: whether it’s modern or postmodern. Jesus was, is, and always will be, “both/and.”
December 11, 2006 at 14:08
These are clever and positive. As someone who does not worship Jesus, however, I don’t think those who do ought to feel uncomfortable calling themselves Christian. One could have easily made this “Christian vs. Jesus Freak” or something similar (perhaps nicer) and achieved the same point.
I disagree with the comment that these videos are finger-pointing. Using a caricature gets the message across without accusing anyone in particular. The viewer can decide for himself whether he is too caught up in rules, hoopla and self-righteousness.
December 11, 2006 at 16:30
I have to wonder about the purpose of your videos. Are you saying ties are out and T-shirts are in? Is education out and ‘hand’s in the pockets’ in? Is it ‘un-Christ-like’ to listen to Christian music only? I think your message gets a little blurred by not alternating between these actors, or does your pastor preach from the pulpit in a T-shirt?
It is difficult not to end up separating brethren when the message seems so one sided visually. As for ‘Christian-no-more,’ I’ll continue to use the name the Spirit has given us. I don’t wish to confuse unbelievers needlessly or make a needless point with my brethren where I worship.
I think your ‘ideas’ could have been presented differently without unnecessarily offending or excluding folks like the guy in the suit. After all who was better at what he did, Abbot or Costello? Rowen or Martin? Dean or Jerry? We are one body and our messages should reflect that. Don’t you think?
December 11, 2006 at 18:28
You guys should check out the blog of the actor in the videos:
http://ericseddyfications.typepad.com/erics_eddyfications/2006/12/i_am_amazed_and.html
December 11, 2006 at 18:53
Am I the only person who thinks that these vid’s are appalling ? Last Sat I might have smiled, but on Sun we got an e-mail from a Pastor in Indonesis asking us to pray. 7 or his 9 churches were being closed down by the authorities, and the pastor threatened with separation from his family and possible emprisonment(and torture) for his faith for being a Christ-follower or a Christian – you guess which one. The clothes of the poor all look the same. Jesus came for the poor not just the middle class. Persecution sharpens your faith. But faith in what? God or Church or both.
Happy Christmas from a foreign party-pooper
December 11, 2006 at 19:14
I think these videos are very intelligent. For anyone who finds these videos offensive I’m sorry. But I think you are not looking at what the video is trying to say. Its saying yes all the Christian books and music and the bible are great. But just those things are not going to help others reach Christ. It’s about being accessible to them not sitting on you mountain, but coming off it as Jesus did on his sermon on he Mt. Jesus was an average guy. Did average things dressed in normal clothes and the came down of a mountain to reach the untouchables. Now i you feel in your heart you want to wear a suit for church and your doing to show respect for Christ. Then thats great. The point they were trying to make is don’t do it for show.
and I’m not at all saying this in offense just to open someones mind. One person said this
“Hi, I’m a ‘Christ-follower’ though I don’t read Christian books (including the Bible) or listen to Christian music, or subscribe to any kind of Christian teaching other than ‘love one another.’” So the question is, “What kind of fruit are you producing, if any?” One thing is for certain. If you DON’T wear a WWJD bracelet and DON’T have a Christian bumper stick on your car and DON’T tell anyone you are a Christian and DON’T listen to Christian music, then when you act like you are just another part of the world the world will not know the difference. It certainly is the safe approach.”
Putting a bumper sticker on your car is not going to bring people to Christ. Neither is reading your bible. actions are and being a true believer of Christ.
December 11, 2006 at 19:16
I know they were poking fun at the guy who seems to go overboard [the bumper stickers and all], but I thought it was more a defensive thing, in that the suit guy “started it” by criticizing the jeans guy for his lack of accessories and displays. I thought the motivation of the ad was to reassure the jeans-guy-types among us that we don’t have to be like the suit-guys, that we are just fine the way we are, and the suit guys need to maybe relax and lay off.
December 11, 2006 at 23:50
Was reading a few comments from people who aren’t saved on this thread. The thing that always bothers me after reading their comments is, christians who try to live a holy life the way Jesus wanted them to are called SO many names, like bible thumpers, holier than thou, fundamentalists, etc. And yet, when we mess up and fall, which is all the time, we are called hypocrites. So either way, in the eyes of the world, Christians can’t win. That’s why I always try to get people focused on the person of Jesus and who He is rather than focusing on how imperfect Christians are.
December 12, 2006 at 02:50
Jon Hendry,
If your snide remark is any indication, I apparently didn’t make myself clear enough. I was merely pointing out how the Christ-follower was foolishly downplaying the importance of the Bible. Obviously it doesn’t matter whether you’re seen with a book or not, the important thing is that you study the book. Yet, these videos are symbolic representations of what it means to be “Christian” and a “Christ-follower.” You know what they say, “A picture’s worth a thousand words.”
December 12, 2006 at 09:27
These are silly. There is no fundamental difference between these two people except a lame attempt at being both ‘hip’ and religious at the same time.
December 12, 2006 at 09:54
Hey Everyone,
I am the worship guy at CCC. I just love this dialogue about our silly videos. I think it is funny how everyone immediately thinks we are talking about them when we made this for “in-house” use only.
But I love what everyone is talking about!
December 12, 2006 at 10:08
After reading other comments, I think the important thing to remember is that the two viewpoints “Christian” and “Christ Follower” are supposed to show exaggerated extremes and not be a true representation of someone who would fit into one of these categories. It is also important to realize that the personalities represented are not necessarily the personalities of a “Christian” and a “Christ Follower” but are instead a very good parody of the actual TV commercial. These clips are not meant to be viewed by themselves, they are attention getters. They make you question and think and maybe make you offended or angry. That is the point! You are hooked…you are interested and then you listen to the message (sermon) and get the truth. Many people are so hung up on being a cultural Christian and doing all the christian things that they are not even relevant to unbelievers. Some are not even real followers of Jesus Christ themselves. It is important to be a true follower of Jesus and be a real person, someone that people can relate to, someone who can share their love for Jesus with others.
December 12, 2006 at 10:48
Let’s not forget that the original PC vs Apple commericals are spoofs as well. For anyone who has been in any tech company knows that people runnings PC are not all suited up in tweeds. It’s just fun stuff as this is fun stuff and we need not get all tighted up about it. It’s a laugh and a good one at that. It’s obvious from some comments that these videos touched some people on the raw as it were and that’s unfortunate but I suspect they’ll live.
I’m an Anglican and they used to say that we thought no one could get to Heaven but us because only we knew which fork to use for the salad. We got it, it was a joke as is this.
If we can’t make fun of ourselves we’re in trouble.
December 12, 2006 at 13:31
It will and always be an issue of the heart.
December 12, 2006 at 14:35
The ironic thing, however, is that the church sponsoring the videos uses “Christian” in their name. The whole thing seems silly to me.
December 12, 2006 at 15:16
I have commented at length on these videos—there is some amount of valid critique, I only fear we are not being as charitable as we might in expressing things this way.
My full comments are here:
http://www.reformedcatholicism.com/?p=811
December 12, 2006 at 15:55
Jesus has already told us how to identify His sheep, by their fruits. “By their fruits” does not mean the number of butts in the pews.
December 12, 2006 at 18:55
I actually like the videos. But, I understand why someone would misinterpret them. Believers “catch it” from all sides. Within the church. Without the church. My first thought was this is ridiculous: people are dieing for being a Christian right now, and the people killing them are not asking if they are “Christians” or “Christ-followers”. But, because we don’t actually suffer in the U.S., we make up stuff to believe we are “suffering for His name sake”. There is actually no judgement being made here by either side on the video, but it sure pushed some buttons on each side. I didn’t see any declarations of “we’re right and you are so wrong!” And thankfully, through it all, we have a merciful and loving God, let’s all remember that.
December 13, 2006 at 08:52
A divided house can not stand. Both sides need to learn more christlikeness. Time to stop the infighting and work to bring the gospel to the lost.
December 13, 2006 at 16:21
Many of the comments seem to miss the point of the videos. First a disclaimer, I am not a Christian I am a Unitarian Universalist so this might color my impression. What I see as the point of the videos is that Christians/Christ-Followers need to be accessible to others. It is the result of having one’s heart transformed by the Spirit. If religion only makes you feel better than everyone else then isn’t there something faulty in the faith journey? Who can access your spirit and receive the comfort God is pouring through you to the world? It is not about holiness codes, which “the Christian” in the video was conveying as the message. It is about how accessible is your faith to others? What do people who do not believe see when they look at your life? Do they see the fruits of the spirit? Or do they only see the exterior trappings of a false piety? Many religious folk, regardless of faith tradition, fall into the comfortable external trappings of their faith and call that piety. True religion transforms the heart to be more loving, more generous, more patient, more forgiving of faults in others. Perhaps the point of the video is this: Are you following and applying to your life the teachings of Jesus or are you following the teachings of a religion about Jesus? Two very different points of view. Both might be valid answers for living our lives but our answers color our world view. Blessings abound.
December 14, 2006 at 00:06
I’ve got an interview on my blog with Tom Greever, the Media Arts Director at Community Christian Church. He gave some good insight into their intent with the series and some interesting thoughts about the comments that have been made about the videos.
The interview is at the MicroExplosion blog:
http://microexplosion.com
December 14, 2006 at 08:35
Love the videos they bring a very interesting point to view. This christ follower character is pretty much a representation of the average person who believes in the core values of the christianity but does not draw it into every aspect of life. More so neglecting the traditions of the church that have no spriritual value. To those bantering on about the music. Music does not shape people unless you are extremely naive. To assume a human being can not handle secular music and worship God is a great insult to the intelligence of others. Listening to chrisitan music, having christian bumper stickers and carrying a bible won’t bring you closer to God because these are trivial material things that don’t serve to help anyone.(last time I checked the bible was printed by a machine nothing holy about the book and papers in it, only the message it conveys and I think we all know that by heart anyways) Go help at your local soup kitchen or donate to a charity, these things might help you out a little in the eyes of God.
December 14, 2006 at 17:16
Well, I’m glad some Christians out there have a sense of humor. Other people need to lighten up. J-Pod…that’s classic. Oh and by the way…I love Jesus and I listen to Fall Out Boy and Yellowcard.
December 17, 2006 at 03:26
I recognize that these are meant for “in-house” and I appreciate that, but for that reason I am so tired. I’m tired of us as church bodies trying so hard to please everyone that we form 4 different services with 4 different focuses so that all are happy. AAAAHHHHH The “seeker” service – and the “traditional” service have become my favorite.
I honestly appreciate the pure attempt to reach the lost, but at what cost? As my pastor puts it…”we need to have R&B – reach and bless.” We need to reach the lost while also respecting and blessing the people that have been running the race and keeping the faith for many years. Years when the “Christan” look was the “only” look they knew. I miss church…just going and not thinking so hard about people pleasing, but Jesus pleasing. There should be a happy medium by taking the focus off of both extremes, loving our God and sharing him with others, WHILE not allowing compromise or on the flip side…holy pride. I love the videos though – they crack me up – well done.
December 18, 2006 at 11:20
When you are meeting with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords you don’t go scruffy.
December 20, 2006 at 17:46
Parents, don’t let your children think for themselves. That is the first step to damnation. Don’t let them listen to music, it’s evil and has terrible messages. Don’t let them read. Books can cast god in a bad light. And ESPECIALLY don’t let them go to public school. Science is for the hell bound. May the lord be with you.
December 21, 2006 at 11:49
hahaha Yes, because Jesus the Christ never hung out with the scruffy. The best of the best of your efforts to be “non” scruffy could never make you presentable before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
December 22, 2006 at 00:51
”# godhead87 Says:
December 20th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Parents, don’t let your children think for themselves. That is the first step to damnation. Don’t let them listen to music, it’s evil and has terrible messages. Don’t let them read. Books can cast god in a bad light. And ESPECIALLY don’t let them go to public school. Science is for the hell bound. May the lord be with you.”
EXACTLY!! That’s what I’ve experienced for almost 50 years…and why I stopped going to church and calling myself “Christian” a LONG time ago!
I love the videos! They’re great examples of how “Christians” present themselves to those they are allegedly trying to reach. Too bad they don’t get it.
I saw mention of “unchurched” in some posts. I’m assuming that is referring to those who have never been exposed to church. I have. Many churches, many denominations. That exposure is why I am now “unchurched”. Perhaps I should say “dechurched” or that I’ve had a “churchectomy”. I don’t miss it at all. “Christians” really should take note of that, but I doubt they will.
December 24, 2006 at 21:03
Hi there. I agree completely with those videos. I’m 18 years old so if you want the opinion of America’s youth here goes:
Allow me to talk about the music one really quick. He didn’t say you don’t have to be careful because you obviously do.
One of the biggest problems I have with many of the previous generation Christian adults is their view on music.
Emery is a christian post hardcore band (plenty of screaming and all that stuff most adults hate)
http://www.purevolume.com/emery
Go to that link and scroll down the playlist till you see the song Listening to Freddy Mercury and listen to it. The song is all about their genre and how so many of the previous generation christian adults shun them even though all they’re doing is try to spread it to the teens.
December 26, 2006 at 05:45
The particular parody video mentioned seems to be gone, does anyone have a copy of it ?
December 26, 2006 at 13:50
Hey Matt: If you’re talking about the three original videos that are linked in the original post, I just tried them and they worked fine. Please try again…
December 27, 2006 at 11:28
I love these videos, and i agree with most of these posts… funny thing is, is everyone who is commenting on these is, essentially, judging each person by simply looking at them in a silly video. Some assume the “Christ follower” is just an uneducated, unloving, “hip” guy who is mocking the Christian. And others are judging the “Christian” by assuming that he is pompus and steriotypical. My point is, i love the videos, but its just a video everyone. You don’t know these characters, because thats just it, they are “characters”. I produce videos like this for a living. Its just a 30 second video to express a great idea. Period. It’s not meant for hours and hours of discussion and judging the personal lives of two “characters” which essentially don’t exist in real life.
Kinda funny that all this conversation is all based on judgements about these two people who dont really exist, they just wrote lines for them to make an excellent point. 
And that is, to lighten up. hahaha
December 29, 2006 at 07:03
First off, I love the videos. I’ve read through almost all of the comments, only skipping a few in the middle (so I can’t be sure I’m not repeating someone else), and I’ll be surprised if anyone reads this or cares, but here are my two cents.
I don’t believe the distinction made between the two people in this video is meant to be based solely on their dress, reading material, music choice, or bumper sticker selection. I believe, and I could be wrong, but I believe that this is supposed to reveal to us the deeper condition of our hearts.
The man on the left could very well be a God-saved man, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. At least so far as his dress, reading material, music, etc. This, for the commenter above whose father is a “leftie,” is great news. What is displayed here that needs to be warned against is an attitude that it’s your job to display your Christianity.
I agree, reading the writings of our church fathers is enriching, your Bible is necessary, and we can gain a lot of inspiration from Christian music. However, it’s not reading C.S. Lewis, or memorizing scripture, or having a swollen Christian CD collection that makes you a Christian.
What MAKES you a Christian is a heart and life that has collided with the Living God and has been transformed by his immeasurable power. Our righteousness is imputed from Christ, and we stand not on our own but by the power of God.
That said, while it is not wrong to wear a WWJD bracelet, or listen to Jars of Clay, or have a fish sticker on the back of your car, it doesn’t say to non-Christians “hey, I’m a Christian and this bracelet validates it.” There is no hypnotic power associated with wearing a Christian Tee, or driving with that bumper sticker, in fact it draws greater scrutiny and a larger chance of being called a hypocrite; for the world is watching to see you fall.
We are to be known by our love for each other, as was quoted earlier, and if your life has truly been transformed by Christ, you shouldn’t have to do anything more than live to prove it. That should not stop you from proclaiming allegiance to Christ publicly, but as St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
The follower of Christ is also a Christian, but there’s a realisation that a life transformed occurs when God transforms it, not by reading books on morality. If we could better ourselves, perfect ourselves, then there was no need for Christ to suffer and die for our sins. You are helpless without the transforming power of the Gospel.
Above all, for those of you that actually read this, I’d say let these videos be a chance to reflect on your own walk with God instead of trying to apply it to anyone else. If there’s one thing I know I need to do more, it’s worry about other people’s sin and failures less, and reflect on my own more. I need to seek change for myself, and prayerfully seek to correct my brothers and sisters in Christ only when I know I can do it in love and with no condemnation.
I hope I made sense to everyone.
January 3, 2007 at 03:19
WOW! These mini videos have inspired a lot of comment and interesting reaction. I believe labels are often dangerous (judging others, unless it be they are wandering from sound doctrine) and whatever ‘renewal’, ‘revival’ ‘emergen[cy]’ new movement that appears, purporting to be better, more original, and the answer to improve on a previous ‘flavour’, seems to wane in time (look at Church History and see how many movements have come and gone). We need to be ‘conservative’, ‘radical’ and ‘creative’ at the same time, remembering John Stott’s idea of having an eye and a heart always on Scripture and (healthy) Tradition plus an eye and a heart for the world around us.
Dear Christian, ‘Christ follower’, (Baptist, Anglican, Pentecostal, Methodist) etc: we all need to avoid what I call the “Evanjelly-mould” i.e. the straight-jacket conforming to legalistic attitudes and actions (evident in BOTH these characters IMHO, tho’ more obvious in the ‘leftie’).
In South America, faced with dominant (mostly very traditional and legalistic Roman Catholicism) we use the term ‘believer’ (creyente). I’m a believer!!! But more than labels, I need to keep in step with the Lord, seeking Him daily by reading the Bible and praying + meeting regularly with my brother and sister believers.
KEEP THE FAITH, the SOUND DOCTRINE: SOLA FIDE, SOLA GRATIA, and good works will follow!
January 3, 2007 at 12:27
I loved these videos at first, but not so much any more after I have had time to really reflect upon what they are saying. I like the intent, but not sure I like the execution. I produced a different perspective and have posted it at my site if you are interested.
http://chadgramling.com/wordup/?p=139
January 13, 2007 at 16:42
wow. I really liked the videos and thought that the fundamental message was perfect. The guy on the right has managed to puzzle out Yeshua’s ben Josephs message despite two thousand odd years of obsfucation, dogma and personality pollution.
ya’ll wana know everything he said in two sentences or less, here ya go…
1. Love the creator above all else.
2. get along with each other.
period.
January 14, 2007 at 11:45
I am neither a Christ follower nor a practicing Christian, but quickly browsing the comments reminded me of an old joke:
Q: How many feminists does it take to change a lightbulb
A: That’s not funny.
I am not trying to be anti feminist, nor anti Christian, nor anti Christ follower (nor for that matter antichrist), but rather pro humour. A lot of people said things like “I liked the videos at first, but when I thought about it…” If you liked the videos at first, you liked the videos. THEN you thought. It was the humour of the videos that made you think. I would, for that reason, like to point out a few things about humour that I think have gotten lost.
1) Humour is widely recognized as being based on truth. If something makes you laugh, it’s because it has pointed out something that you may have tacitly accepted but not fully articulated. The jokes about the airline bags of peanuts only having three nuts inside resonate because we know how we feel when we get those little bags. What in these videos made you laugh? Was it because you already thought that? On reflection, do want to re-think your assumptions? The humour of the videos gave you the insight neccessary to review your assumptions.
2) Also recognized is the fact that humour is based on surprise and unexpected associations. When you tell a joke, you save the punchline to the end. A joke will never be as funny on the second hearing. The unexpected association here is the Mac commercial format used for a complex theological discussion. Of course these videos will be less funny as you think about them, because you already know the punchline and the association is no longer unexpected.
3) Humour is often based on pain. This last point is widely recognized among comedians, but may be uncomfortable for people not used to writing or critiquing humour. Think of Homer Simpson’s “Doh!” and you get the idea.
There are two ways, I think, to look at the pain: is it exclusive, divisive schadenfreude, where you get pleasure out of witnessing another’s pain, or is it inclusive and connection building, where you recognize yourself in the other person. If you see someone slip on some ice and then laugh, are you laughing because they look like an idiot, or because you know you have done the same thing before. Of course the Christian is not being treated charitably. The PC guy in the original ad wasn’t either, contrary to some of the posts. We laugh at his akwardness. My question is, are you laughing at Christians, or are you laughing at yourself? Have you ever thought the way the Christian thinks?
Enough unfunny talk about humour. I liked the videos. Yes, the timing, writing etc could have been tightened up, but they worked for me. BTW I came across this page because I was looking for an article by Umberto Eco that reverses the comparison. He compared Mac owners to Catholics and PC owners to Protestants. Check it out: http://jowett.web.cern.ch/jowett/EcoMACDOS.htm
January 15, 2007 at 04:11
perhaps “christians” need just as much love as the rest of the world. perhaps, I , as a “christ follower” need just as much love as the rest of the world. In fact, isn’t that the point of being one? I follow Him because I need Him. I NEED Him. Hoping to make a statement that makes people “more right” than they are now is potentially taking away their need for Him…If I was RIGHT, He would be wrong. Because my nature and His don’t agree. He is right, I am wrong, everytime there is conflict between what we are (which is almost always). He is right, the Christian is wrong. He is right, the pastor is wrong. He is right, the rapist is wrong. He is right, we are all wrong. If we want to be right, we must take part in Him. We need Him. It’s why He came in the first place. Why are we so concerned about who is wrong, when it is all of us, except Him?
Godbless, I can appreciate every comment here. The passion on this page is phenomenal. All of those posters, let us continue to seek Him with such adament fervor.
January 24, 2007 at 23:32
The Christ follower, follows Christ, but who knows how far back. The Christian, might not get it, but definitely show more reverence than the “follower”. The Christ follower “believes, or feels” a certain way about things, the Christian, seeks to see how God feels about certain things in his books. I’d rather be the “geek”.
January 26, 2007 at 12:33
Dr Ed Cole (founder of the christian mens network in America put it best when he said “Balance is the key to life”. These are two ends of the same spectrun as far as I am concerned. If you follow Christ you will not try to impress others all the time nor will you try and be smug about it. You are a Christian; a follower of Christ. They are the same thing. What is important is not how other people’s Christianity matches up, but where you are with God yourself. I don’t see the point in these people judging each other. Maybe they should both team up and help each other. Maybe they will find each other to be different once they get to know themselves.
January 27, 2007 at 10:35
I really like these videos. I see where other posts are coming from in that we shouldn’t alienate people who are like the ‘Christian’ in the video, but I think these are a great resource to show to unchurched young people who have the opinion that church is full of people like the ‘Christian’.
Keep up the good work!
March 11, 2007 at 16:29
I just saw the “bumper sticker” and “suit” videos last night at a church I visited. I thought they were clever and right on the money. I grew up in a church where you wouldn’t be caught dead in jeans and just left another church with a similar attitude. I was part of a contemporary worship service and the “suit-and-hymnal” people were very eager to see our service go away, which it did because the “suits” won. The “suits” certainly looked nice every week and gave a lot of money but you certainly wouldn’t know it by the way they treated those of us who were more like the “Christ-follower” character.
I found myself laughing a lot and nodding my head at things I recognized in my own church experiences. You can have a church full of “suit-and-hymnal” people who do not know the first thing about welcoming those who are “different” even if it’s just in the way someone looks. If you’re wearing jeans and listening to that “modern” music you are not welcome here. On the other hand, there are churches full of “hip” people in jeans and sweatshirts who raise their hands, jump around in praise and clap enthusiastically and still have hearts far away from Christ. I am so glad that God is the judge of our hearts and that we are not!
Great work on the videos.