I first encountered the shortcomings of WWJD when I was in sixth grade. I went to a Christian school, see. And there was this girl that was crushing on me, and I didn't like her back. It was getting pretty bad. So at one point I pulled aside a teacher I trusted and, without specifying the problem, asked for some general advice.
My teacher nodded sagely and said, "Well, Chris, when you don't know what to do in a situation, the best thing to ask yourself is... What Would Jesus Do?"
"Guh?" I said.
"What Would Jesus Do," repeated my teacher. "You imagine Jesus in your situation, and whatever he would do, that's what you should do."
I said nothing, and tried to imagine Jesus having a girl crush on him when he didn't like her back. It didn't work out in my head.
My teacher, evidently satisfied that her words of wisdom had fallen on good soil (as evidenced by my contemplative silence), nodded her head and walked away, satisfied as to a Job Well Done. While I was more confused than ever.
It wasn't until I grew older that I noticed the fad (among Christians) of owning WWJD bracelets, WWJD pendants, WWJD T-shirts, WWJD backpacks, WWJD wall plaques, WWJD lunchboxes, WWJD thermoses, WWJD underwear, WWJD posters, WWJD bumper stickers, WWJD flamethrowers...
I have been thinking about it, and I've been coming to the conclusion that "WWJD" as a motto is, from the Christian perspective, flawed.
1) HistoryTo be fair, although the WWJD thing experienced a re-awakening in the 1990s, it's far older than that. The phrase "What Would Jesus Do?"
was from a book called "In His Steps" published in 1896. The book centers around members of the church of Rev. Maxwell. A homeless man, after being refused help by the church a la the Luke 10 priest/Levite, addresses the congregation one Sunday. He berates them for singing "All For Jesus, All For Jesus" while failing to help the poor, homeless, and needy. The homeless man then keels over and dies.
The book follows several members of the church who, moved by this event, take a vow, for one year, to ask "What Would Jesus Do?" before making any decision. What this means practically: The editor of the local news stops running stories about prize fights, stops advertising liquor and tobacco, and discontinues his Sunday edition. The machine shop superintendent makes a new break-room for his workers and resigns because of his freight suppliers' illegal operations. The church soloist refuses to use her voice for the purpose of making money, turns down two marriage proposals... EVENTUALLY (on page 49) the characters finally get around holding a revival in the poor section of town (Finally, something that actually impacts the impetus of their vow!), but it seems rather fruitless, and they end up instead channeling their energies into a political party that will drive out the saloons. Half the book seems more about the Temperance Movement than anything else.
I know this book is regarded as a "Christian classic," but I have several issues with it. Firstly, it denies the life-changing power of redemption. The reason the tent-revival doesn't work is, the characters tell us, because of the continued presence of saloons in the area. The newly-saved former drunks simply
cannot resist the call of alcohol, it is not possible, and thus it must be resisted
for them. In other words: Christian salvation is an ineffective treatment for sin, and vice must be battled not at the personal level but at the legislative level. As a libertarian I have major problems with that idea.
Secondly, the book contains a rather classist atmosphere. All the characters who take the "What Would Jesus Do?" pledge are upper-class rich folk. All of the lower-class manual laborers are treated as errant children in many ways, children who need to upper class to guide them and to protect them. As an egalitarian, this bothers me six ways from Wednesday.
Still, the book has some very good points. The Christian life is one that must be walked, not just talked--this is true. Christians are supposed to become like Jesus--this is true.
But there's more that bothers me about the WWJD thing than just its origins.
2) Wrong Focus?Where is the emphasis, when you ask yourself "What Would Jesus Do?" Well, you're looking for an action. You're looking, quite obviously, to find out what Jesus would do. The emphasis is on right action. And action is external.
Now don't get me wrong, right action is important. It's important to do good things, and Jesus did good things. A "faith" that doesn't involve doing good things is no faith at all (James 2:20). And we, as Christians, should be becoming more like Jesus. That's part of what it means to be a "disciple." A discliple learns from his master, and ends up behaving and acting like his master. Christians should be as Jesus is.
But how does one become like Jesus? Is it by willing oneself into acting like Jesus? No. One does not become like Jesus by acting like Jesus. One acts like Jesus because one is becoming like Jesus.
The thing is, right action is something that anyone can fake. Just because you see a person helping the homeless doesn't mean that person is like Jesus--that person could be absolutely horrible to his wife and kids when no-one is looking. CEOs of corrupt corporations can donate thousands to charities, but that doesn't mean they're becoming like Jesus by doing so.
There were a lot of fakers in Jesus' day--very good at following the externals, doing the good deeds. But still Jesus calls them out.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." - Jesus of Nazareth
I think that asking "What Would Jesus Do?" is asking the wrong question. Anyone can act like Jesus some of the time, and no-one can act like Jesus all of the time. While it is very important that Christians act like Jesus, that act should be overflowing out of who they have become--coming out of the internal--instead of being something externally attempted. You cannot will yourself into acting like Jesus. Become like Jesus, and you will act like Jesus. Clean the inside, and the outside will follow.
So really, while we should be doing as Jesus did, our
focus should not be on doing as Jesus did. That should happen naturally as we focus on Jesus himself. Perhaps, instead of asking WWJD?, we should ask ourselves, WIJH? (What Is Jesus' Heart?)
Next, in Part 2: Asking the wrong person and Jesus' example
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Comments (39)
Yes! This is so true! I expect you'll get some dissenting messages, but thank you so much for writing this. This is where it's at.
Word.
I don't know if you're planning to address it, but another consideration is Jesus' mission vs. ours. There is a lot of overlap, but there are some differences too.
If no one can act like Jesus all the time how did Jesus do it?
This is of course looking at a perspective that says he is not divine.
But you make some good points.
WIJH. I like that.
Good points
I have said this perspective is flawed since I first heard it.
When I was teaching High School SS class, I would tell them,
"You need to ask WIJD? What Is Jesus Doing?"
My feeling is that Christ is continually at work. We need to focus on using our spiritual eyes and ears to see what He IS doing and then align our hearts and actions with His intentions.
Coming as I do from the lunatic fringe, I'm glad Jesus gave us guidelines and living example of how to act.
I would rather act right on the outside and not let people know what a nut I am on the inside.
It's kind of like what Mark Twain said, "It's better to remain silent and let people think you're an idiot than to open your mouth and prove it."
Congrats bro- I misunderstood your title at first, but thankfully I read through all the way before I stated anything.
You are absolutely right- while we should do as Jesus did, it is the renewing of our minds (and that done by Christ) and the transformation of our lives that creates the actions that Jesus would have done- not some self-willed righteousness.
It is so hard often to accept that and even understand it. But the Spirit must lead us in all acts of righteousness.
Good post.
Good post. Sometimes though, there's a fine line in wanting to do the right thing and just focusing on Jesus himself. I believe that if we're truly saved, we will want to obey Jesus as much as possible.
I've thought about this too. Especially when it comes to dealing with boy/girl relationships..
Basically, I ask myself What Would Jesus Want (me to do).
Last night I was helping run a concert at a Christian music venue. According to fire code we could only allow 275 people into the building, including musicians and staff. One guy, standing outside, hoping to get in held a sign up that read "What Would Jesus Do?" The Pastor's wife wrote a note and held it up to him. "Jesus would obey the fire marshal."
Really good points. I've always thought WWJD? flawed, but I never thought it out to that extent. Good job :)
my Pastor often quotes his mentor and seminary professor as saying: "(when in doubt) do the loving thing"... I believe it makes for a better way of expressing WWJD, so you could think of it in that context. and I'm not sure about WWJD refering to an inward transformation... as believers, Jesus' teachings should inform and guide our ways, so while the corrupt CEOs may perform an outwardly charitable act but not treat his family well, if he's not a believer then the discussion is all moot, and WWJD just becomes another way of saying What Would Make Us Look Like Jesus for the Sake of Keeping Up Appearances? (WWMULLJSKUA - LOL)
I think the question is flawed as well, but for different reasons (though I like the ones you gave). I think that the question is primarily flawed because there are a lot of things that Jesus did and would do that we cannot and ought not do. We are not called to do all the things that Jesus did.
Furthermore, the question basically leaves a great deal up to the imagination? Would Jesus drive 5 mph over the speed limit? Well? Who knows? Seriously, it's a completely ridiculous question to ask because we have no way of knowing, and pretending that our final decision is somehow better because we imagined that Jesus would or would not have done it is absurd.
I think a better line of questioning could be found that would have the intended results.
Nice one. :)
often "what would Jesus do" is applied with the wrong focus.
e.g. "Let's see on the one hand, I can rob my neighbor or stay home and get high... hn.... what would Jesus do?"
"What would Jesus do" assumes you are walking with the Lord but have practical questions in choosing better vs. best in your daily living. of course it can help with wrestling with sin but often was the case WWJD was a 4-letter answer to just avoiding sin.
and it should be so much more
@SWAurora@xanga - Bravo to your pastor's wife!
i think the question's flawed basically because people of all stripes, of every possible political and ideological bent, claim jesus backs them up. which is impossible, illogical, and quite frankly, a relief. but if everyone believes they're the right ones and jesus agrees with them, when they ask "what would jesus do?" they're just giving themselves license to act on what they already desire to do by claiming that jesus endorses it.
I don't think the question is necessarily flawed. Any time you simplify something, you can forget what you've left out. Ideally if you're really trying to answer the question you'd really need to know more about Jesus to answer the question. Learning even a little about Jesus you learn he wasn't a hypocrite. People who act outwardly one way and are different on the inside doesn't seem consistent with maintaining integrity.
If you are going to advertise you're trying to figure out what Jesus would do, I'd think you'd want to be diligent in your efforts. People with WWJD? bumper stickers who speed clearly show they haven't got the message yet. At the same time if we're trying to WWJD, we'd need to forgive them yet at the same time encourage them to drive safely.
I think the biggest flaw with the question is that it can make doing the right thing seem simple because the question is simple. Life can often be fairly complex and making good decisions can be difficult.
I don't hear many Christians saying Jesus made any mistakes. The rest of us aren't so perfect therefore we can't do as Jesus did because we do make mistakes, still the way he conducted himself can be viewed as a goal to strive for.
Another big flaw with WWJD? is that it assumes everyone wants to follow Jesus. You might be better off focusing on why following Jesus would be an attractive thing to do first.
@MysteriumFidei@xanga - Your reasons anticipate Part Two.
Almost word-for-word in places.
One of the deacons at our church (we don't have youth groups or youth pastors, but I guess this guy would sort of be like that) taught us that a better question to ask is WWKJDMDH (heheh). What Would King Jesus Have Me Do Here?
wow, really great post, very thoughtful and informative. it kinda reminds me of buddhism, where you follow ideals laid down by the original buddha in order to hopefully transcend this world and become a buddha yourself... except you can't become a jesus =P you just get to go to heaven
If you want to read a real Christian classic try the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.
I've always had a mild aversion to the WWJD phrase, even when I had one
of the bracelets. I think it stems from the fact that I tend to shy away from popular fads, but I digress. Really, as poplarpaul said up there, the question and
answer are both incredibly simple. The basis of Jesus' message was love
- so in all actions, love must be the main focus. In all reality,
sometimes action is the worst course, but love is almost always
acceptable.
I think that it's possible to ask WWJD in regards to modern day events
(a la the speed limit example posed by MysteriumFidei) if we use the
proper line of questioning. WWJD re: the speed limit? Well, Jesus
showed that he was willing to bow to Roman rule with his famous "render
unto Caesar" quote. He didn't come to bring a revolution of rule, but
rather a revolution of heart. He showed that one should submit to the
government, unless it comes in direct conflict with God's teachings. I
mean, He knew that his death was an innocent one, and that He was being
tried unfairly, but He submitted to it. So, unless obeying the speed
limit is against a commandment of God's we are called to obey it. It
all depends on the frame in which one poses the question.
Overall, good post. I anticipate Part II.