Crap.  I wrote this lengthy comment after yesterday's post.  And now just read today's entry.  I am putting it down anyway...since I took the time to write it even though it seems redundant.  Did you already have today's written and waited to post today as a hook?  Please say no!

From yesterday's post:

KT, I want to preface that, in the end, I probably agree with most of what you said and maybe I am just being argumentative.   

Of course "Pretty much everything is bound to be misunderstood by someone" that's not really the point is it?  If so, why bother writing the post?  I have heard Rob say and maybe write in one of his books that he doesn't consider himself a Christian, rather a follower of Jesus. I haven't read his latest book so maybe he develops that thought. My point is that the word "Christian" is corrupted. The ichthus on all the cars is no longer a secret sign--it's a club sticker  (and your shirt is real, whether it's on fabric or not).

[A quick sidebar, have you read Phyllis Tickle's "The Great Emergence?"  I am still finishing it but it talks about the watershed moment Christians (or followers of Jesus, etc) are facing at this time.]

We seem be at a time where we need to find a new way to focus on Jesus and his sometimes uncomfortable, unconventional and unfathomable measures of grace and love.  Maybe "Christians against Christians" is one way to get people like Ryan's attention.  Maybe it's clever for some and offensive to others.  I guess you can't avoid that.  It just seems too clever to me.  

What do you think would happen if you wore the theoretical shirt into the vacuum store?  I bet if you actually talked to the owner of the vacuum store you would agree on many points concerning Jesus (i.e., he is love, salvation, grace etc).  Maybe that is a pointless exercise anyway.  Regardless, without dialogue, signs probably offend a far greater number than they reach.   

How can anyone begin to think differently unless we engage them in dialogue instead of with signs?   Maybe it is the signs, clever or idiotic, that get us to the dialogue.  I guess that has happened here.  Wow, I guess I just talked myself in a circle.