Christianity Quote by Brian D. McLaren
““the more one respects Jesus, the more one must be brokenhearted, embarrassed, furious, or some combination thereof when one considers what we Christians have done with Jesus. That’s certainly true when it comes to calling Jesus Lord, something we Christians do a lot, often without the foggiest idea of what we mean. Has he become (I shudder to ask this) less our Lord and more our Mascot?””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Great Spiritual Migration” (2010)
Respecting Jesus deeply often reveals uncomfortable truths about how Christians have treated his message, turning him into a symbol rather than a living lord.
In simple terms: Deep respect can expose how we reduce Jesus to a mascot.
Key Takeaway
Reevaluate how you honor Jesus.
Themes
faith
reflection
authenticity
iconography
humility
Mood
thoughtful
challenging
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church services
- personal study
- group discussions
- public sermons
Key Concepts
theology
cultural critique
spiritual honesty
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways have you turned sacred figures into symbols?
- How can you move from mascot to authentic relationship?
A Different Perspective
Confronting this can cause defensive reactions.
