{"id":3435,"date":"2010-08-10T12:10:18","date_gmt":"2010-08-10T18:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jesusneedsnewpr.net\/?p=3435"},"modified":"2011-05-03T16:23:32","modified_gmt":"2011-05-03T16:23:32","slug":"crossing-the-line-that-i-usually-dont-cross","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/jesusneedsnewpr\/2010\/08\/crossing-the-line-that-i-usually-dont-cross.html","title":{"rendered":"Crossing the line that I usually don’t cross"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For me, this picture of Jesus is pretty sobering. But it also inspires me.<\/p>\n

At first, this image offended me. Let me explain: People ask me all the time if I have a “line” that I won’t cross to what I’m willing to blog about. Well, when it comes to “Jesus Pictures,” my rule has always been that I wouldn’t post images of Jesus on the cross. I think I’ve crossed that line only once or twice. But for the most part, I avoid using them. As a Christian, I can’t make light of images that depict Jesus on the cross because, even if their funny or unrealistic, the cross of Christ is the center Christianity.<\/p>\n

For me it’s sacred.<\/p>\n

But this image is different for some reason. While Jesus is depicted as if he is hanging on a cross, there’s no cross. Instead, Jesus looks to be standing on a post of some sort and has bags of things–shopping bags full of nice things, I believe–in each of his hands. I don’t know what the artist intended. And I’m happy about that. I think good art shouldn’t tell you how or what to think. I think truly good art creates a space for people to wonder and think and debate and create ideas. I also think good art should inspire good art.<\/p>\n

Any ideas or thoughts come to mind when you look at this image?
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For me, this picture of Jesus is pretty sobering. But it also inspires me. At first, this image offended me. Let me explain: People ask me all the time if I have a “line” that I won’t cross to what I’m willing to blog about. 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