Of Bumper Stickers and Bad Theology

Of Bumper Stickers and Bad Theology
by Matt Kaufman on 08/15/2010 at 7:46 PM

I often groan at bumper stickers that try to convey a theological message and end up missing the scriptural mark, sometimes badly. But the people behind them often mean well. I'm not so sure that's true of the one I saw a couple days ago:

"God loves everyone. NO exceptions."

A good message? I don't think so. Not if we read it in cultural context.

There's some truth in there. God does love everyone. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." The whole world: That's everyone.

But unlike the bumper sticker, this verse points to Jesus, and the reason He came: We were dead in our sins and needed Him to save us. The bumper sticker doesn't say a word about Jesus; its "God" is generic. Nor does it say a word about sin; there's no sense here that we're all guilty or that we all need to repent -- much less that the standard by which our sin is measured is the Bible.

Someone out there is probably saying C'mon, it's a bumper sticker; they don't have much room. But I really doubt that's what's happening here. Unless you wear cultural blinders, you have to suspect that "NO Exceptions" is meant less as an assertion of Christian faith than as a rebuke to Christians deemed to be unloving. Certainly that's what many people who'd put this on their bumper mean. And that's how many if not most people will read it.

Despite its superficial resemblance to a Gospel message, I'd say its effect is anti-Gospel. The culture's attitude is: Live how you like, and don't heed those judgmental types who tell you to turn from so-called sin. They can safely be dismissed as mean-spirited hypocrites. This just reinforces that mindset.

If you want a real Gospel message on your bumper, you can do much better. If nothing else, just quote John 3:16. It's not as if we can choose words that improve on the original.

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1. Becky said the following at 12:09 PM on Aug 16:

Have you read or seen "Lord, Save us From Your Followers"? It's about the very issue you bring up here - very worthwhile. :o)

That said, I agree with you about the generic God references. The more I grow in my faith and understanding of what Jesus has done for me, and for everyone else, I get frustrated with the lack of acknowledgement of Him, especially on the part of fellow Christians.

The term 'God' gets tossed about in secular society and nobody thinks twice about it...it's lost its meaning to some degree which, in turn, causes it to have less impact. If you start talking about Jesus, you get all kinds of reactions.

I'm not sure if I really worded that in a way that gets my point across, but there it is. :P

2. Greg said the following at 12:14 PM on Aug 16:

Amen.

3. James79 said the following at 12:43 PM on Aug 16:

Who knows, they may not even mean it to be directed towards Christianity. I don't do bumper stickers, I find most of them obnoxious and an eyesore.

4. Andrea-Elena said the following at 1:05 PM on Aug 16:

I think too often we want to make stuff in life "bumperstickerable," when it was never meant to be that in the first place. Some things are not well communicated in pithy statements... but in conversations, in friendships that take time.

I myself needed this reminder.

5. Carl said the following at 1:25 PM on Aug 16:

Ever see the "Coexist" bumper sticker which uses various religious symbols to spell the word out?
Is it promoting tolerance or relativism? I go back and forth trying to figure it out. Any ideas?

6. Craig M. said the following at 1:33 PM on Aug 16:

I've seen "God bless the whole world, no exceptions." Which is obviously a snarky little shot at "God bless America," as though there's something jingoistic about asking God's blessing specifically for one's native land and people. I find self-loathing Americans so tiresome.

7. Kristina M. said the following at 1:35 PM on Aug 16:

I can totally see someone who already has a preconceived notion that Christians "hate" gays, for example, slapping this on their bumper sticker next to the one that says, "No H8." Like you said, I get the sense that it's meant "less as an assertion of Christian faith than as a rebuke to Christians deemed to be unloving."

8. Becca said the following at 1:58 PM on Aug 16:

My favorite: "Caution: In case of rapture this vehicle will be un-manned"

Theology aside, I think that cheesy bumper stickers just make us look, well, desperate. It allows the world to point and laugh at Christianity, and it turns people off to real Christians because of the assumption that were all fake. Needless to say, I'm not a fan of the giant "Hell is Real" billboard right outside my town either.

9. Ashley said the following at 2:10 PM on Aug 16:

Becky, "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers" is in my Netflix queue right now! :D I thumbed through the book at my local books n' brew and found it to be both interesting and thought provoking.

The bumperstickers that really grind my gears are the ones that say "Coexist" with all the religious symbols.

Talk about bad theology. Even if you push Christianity aside, It's blaspheming all of those religions! Not a ONE of them believes that any of the others preach a legitimate message of salvation!

I passed another one that really bothered me recently. It read:

"Give Jesus a Try! If you don't like him the Devil will take you back."

I mean, I'm barely a four point Calvanist, but, REALLY? All the bumper stickers in the world and that's the one you put on your car? We're going to water down the beautiful, poetic salvation message into "Give Jesus a try?" And then we're going to imply that salvation is about preference and how much you subjectively like God?

yuuuuuck. That one got a good and hearty eyeroll from me.

Though I did chuckle at a bumper sticker that read "I bet Jesus would have used his turn signals".

I bet he would have, too! ;)

10. Stevi said the following at 2:43 PM on Aug 16:

I'm not sure I agree about people's motivations for using a bumper sticker like that.

My pastor uses phrases like that quite frequently and it's not out of a defensive position or out of an attempt to soften the Gospel. It's because the majority of people carry a great deal of guilt and shame. Deep down, they don't feel likeable or loveable. They don't believe that God could possibly love them or want them. They believe they'd have to get all cleaned up and perfect before coming to Him for help.

I don't do bumper stickers, but I like the intention behind that one. YES, God loves YOU. No matter what you've done, what others have said about you, what Satan whispers to you, what you believe about yourself.

Yes, there's a time to ask people to repent. But I think they first need to know that God's waiting for with open arms.

11. Heather said the following at 4:21 PM on Aug 16:

I think you're being highly over-reactive and defensive. And frankly, that bumper sticker is probably meant specifically for people like you.

God DOES LOVE everyone. Period. Is that not a true & complete statement on it's own? Why are we so quick to diminish his love, by trying to follow it up with a "but..." or a "so..."? Until someone can truly understand how deeply they are loved by God, nothing else matters. God IS love. Jesus said the most important commandment is to LOVE - God, then neighbor - and that EVERYTHING else is summed up in that. All the law, all the prophets, all summed up in the commandment to love. It's all about love. No need to caveat it or water it down. God LOVES everyone. That's an incredibly important message.

My second comment is about your last statement that we can't do better than the original words. Really? Do you really believe that words written in one language 2000 years ago specific for the cultural context they were written in can't be better stated to be relatable for today's culture? You're so certain that those words have been translated & interpretted to be the most effective for today's audience? If so, which words from which version of the Bible are best?

12. Mike said the following at 4:23 PM on Aug 16:

Sadly, this notion has infected the church. Badly.

"We can't be judgmental! We must love everyone!"

So, which is more loving? To let your child do anything he pleases, to his detriment, or to correct his behavior? To let him keep doing something that's bad for him, or to put up a fence that keeps him from going over a cliff?

Boundaries are loving. And Scripture is full of admonitions for us to "rebuke" (meaning correct) a brother or sister in sin.

Good post.

13. EKB said the following at 4:43 PM on Aug 16:

I think you might be reading too much into this one. Your interpretation didn't occur to me until I read the entire post (at first I thought this was going to be a debate about Calvinism). Without any additional context, I would tend to assume the best here and figure this bumper sticker is intended to reach out to those who feel they are beyond God's love. It's obviously not the entire Gospel, but if it plants a seed in someone, I'm not going to criticize it.

We all interpret things through our own preconceptions. Since your career requires you to be deeply entrenched in the "culture wars," I can see why that interpretation jumped out at you. However, as someone who has a family member suffering from mental illness who seriously questions whether God loves her, I take this at face value. Some people really do need to be reminded of what that bumper sticker says.

I guess I would look for more hints here. For instance, if this was written on a rainbow-colored bumper sticker, then it would seem you are correct in deciding this is a political statement. However, if there are other bumper stickers on the car like the Jesus fish, a Church sticker, and/or a cross, I would try to give this the benefit of the doubt- and I am speaking as someone who reads political overtones into everything!

14. obewan said the following at 5:45 PM on Aug 16:

Gag.

15. Stephanie said the following at 6:28 PM on Aug 16:

Interesting post, but personally I'd have to say, "C'mon, it's a bumper sticker." :)

13 was right in saying that we all read into things based on our preconceptions. Bumper stickers will contain different meanings based on whether you want to laugh or are looking for something to be mad about.

Still, the "coexist" one is pretty darn annoying. Way to save sticker space by offending all those religions at once!

On the other hand, "Give Jesus a try! If you don't like him the devil will take you back." is hilarious. :)

16. Gina said the following at 6:32 PM on Aug 16:

Stevi, Heather, and EKB have a point: It's not the whole Gospel, but it certainly is true as far as it goes!

17. Nancy said the following at 8:12 PM on Aug 16:

I dislike bumper stickers about abortion. It's such a heart-wrenching issue that I think it's horrible to make a pithy little statement about it. I have two friends who have abortions in their past (one who was forced by her parents to have one when she was 17), who deeply regret them. They know they are forgiven because of Christ, but the assumptions projected in those bumper stickers are still painful for them.

18. BDB said the following at 8:30 PM on Aug 16:

I suppose you could just put a relevant Bible verse there, and let those who were interested look up the reference.

Like Hebrews 10:31 or John 13:35.

19. Saidah said the following at 9:11 PM on Aug 16:

Carl (5), our cultures definitsion of "tolerance" is pretty much the same thing as relativism. It's incorrect, but that's the way it's used. That being said, while I'm sure, th COEXIST sticker is meant to promote religious tolerance, all it really does is give a big fat middle finger to ALL of those faiths and say "none of you have the right to think you know better."

20. Marie said the following at 9:16 PM on Aug 16:

My first thought was to think along the lines you did, that it's aimed towards people deemed judgmental and hate-filled. I've heard this kind of statement from friends who say they believe in God but really just want license to do whatever they want, without regard to sin or its consequences.

21. mary kate said the following at 9:24 PM on Aug 16:

@ heather #11... THANK YOU.

i tried to write something along those lines earlier today, and gave up, because i couldn't express it very well. you did a great job with both of your points.

i think that message, that god loves everyone, no exceptions, is an AMAZING door opener when it comes to talking to people about why our christian god is so different than any other god. and the message helps counteract the one that so many non-christians encounter all the time... just like you said heather, "god loves everyone. well, when they're good. or unless they commit one of those really messy, out-there sins. or unless they openly believe things that the rest of us don't."

22. Texas Craig said the following at 9:45 PM on Aug 16:

Theologically, I would say the bumper sticker is not correct. Check out the following scripture passages:

Psalm 5:5
Psalm 11:5
Malachi 1:3
Romans 9:13
John 14:21-23

Now, do a bible search on "God loves all" or "God loves everyone" and tell me if you find one that says that. Certainly, John 3:16 says that God loves the world, but that is more a general reference - not much different from me saying "I love the people here in Texas." It is a general statement, and does not mean that I love every single person here in Texas. In the same way, I would say that God loves His creation, but that His love does not continue upon those who turn from Him or do evil. I may be wrong, but, at a minimum, I would say that scripture is not clear in saying that "God loves everyone, no exceptions."

23. Alice Small said the following at 10:11 PM on Aug 16:

Brava, Stevi and Heather!
So bored with those who make mountains out of mole hills.

God's love and mercy trumps all!

24. Ben said the following at 10:11 PM on Aug 16:

I have to agree with Andrea-Elena (4) on how a lot of life isn't "bumperstickerable." My favorite bumper sticker of all time reads as follows:

"Bumper stickers are an ineffectual means of communicating my nuanced views on a variety of issues that cannot be reduced to a single pithy slogan."

(I'm not making that up. It's at the online store for a web comic called Wondermark.)

Ashley (9)'s "turn signal" one would have to be a close second. To be fair, it's difficult to be a positive ambassador for Christ while driving. Drive the speed limit and you're seen as a legalist (and possibly a dangerous, obstructionist legalist if everyone else is going 10-15 mph over), but drive faster and you apparently consider yourself above earthly laws. "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn."

Not using a turn signal, though...that's just lazy and rude! :-P

25. Leeandra said the following at 10:37 PM on Aug 16:

Sometimes, Matt, a cigar is just a cigar.

This reminds me of the two groups of preachers that come to town for Mardi Gras: one stands with a giant wooden cross on wheels and a megaphone yelling about all the various groups of people that are damned to Hell, and the other wears t-shirts that say "Jesus loves gays, fornicators, and drunkards."

Guess which group actually gets people to talk with them?

(Though the first group was unwittingly the butt of a joke/the best explanation of the Incarnation and salvation I've ever heard: a 6' plus, very drunk drag queen stumbled by and noticed that the cross they drag around was hollow-core for less weight and was mounted on skateboard wheels. He/she yelled, "HEY! THAT CROSS HAS WHEELS! AND IT'S HOLLOW! JESUS DIDN'T HAVE A HOLLOW CROSS! JESUS WAS A REAL MAN! BE A REAL MAN!"

26. Stephen S said the following at 11:27 PM on Aug 16:

1. Matt - with all of the real human tragedy going on in the world, why did you think a post about a bumper sticker was worth the effort? Do you think Jesus cares more about bumper stickers or about 20 million Pakistanis affected by the recent floods?
2. Becky - How do you know what people think when they say "God"?
3. Craig M - In fact, it is jingoistic to ask God to favor one people over another. Remember Paul "neither Jew nor Greek..." And you may want to remember that the phrase "one's native land and people" will have a significantly different meaning to those of European heritage than it will to those of Native American heritage.

27. Jay O. said the following at 1:54 AM on Aug 17:

Initially, I agree with many of the other comments and with the post. I think that someone MIGHT be using it as a stab at "intolerance", but they could very easily just be saying, as one poster so skillfully put it, that many people "don't believe that God could possibly love them or want them." And they could be trying to remind these people that God's LOVE is unconditional. Yes, it's true that there are certain actions that God hates, first because they are contrary to His nature and design and character, but secondly because He knows that they are destructive for us!

Ultimately, in the words of Stevi (#10) once again, "Yes, there's a time to ask people to repent. But I think they first need to know that God's waiting for with open arms."

God changes hearts before actions.

28. Priscilla said the following at 4:47 AM on Aug 17:

I would have ranted, but thankfully, I read the comments #10 and #13, which say what I wanted to say without ranting.

At the end of the day, what it says on the sticker is TRUE. God *does* love everyone, and there *aren't* any exceptions to that. He loves the sinner and the saint (who was once a sinner himself, remember?) Yes, it's true that this doesn't excuse the sin or give one a license to sin, or allow saints to accept such sin in the name of tolerance. But it STILL remains true: God loves everyone. NO exceptions.

Maybe putting Jesus' name in there would have made it more specific, but the Bible uses the word God as well. So it STILL remains true: God loves everyone. NO exceptions.

Without knowing anything else about the person in the car, I think it's pretty unfair to read motivations into his bumper sticker. Sometimes, people really do mean just exactly what they say.

Projecting your unsubstantiated suspicions on to the owner of that car is bad enough according to me, but characterising that message as "anti-Gospel"? That's waaay out, if you don't have any further evidence.

I'm not a bumper sticker kind of person, but I am a bookmark kind of person, and if I saw one with those words on it, I might use it. Mostly to remind myself that God loves me, undeserving as I am. And to remind myself that God loves my neighbour, unlovable as I may think she is.

God loves everyone. NO exceptions.

29. Becky said the following at 5:59 AM on Aug 17:

I agree with Heather.

The point that Matt is making is understandable and discussion-worthy, since this seems to be the rallying call for those who follow another agenda. But simply because Satan twists what is good, does not mean we should abandon the good. It is up to the Holy Spirit to interpret those words in truth and move a person towards God.

No one comes to God on a purely intellectual level, i.e. knowing all the theological truths of God (and sin for that matter), but because God loves them. Love comes first, and then true contrition for one's offences. I can only imagine those living in desperation, guilt, and misery that read the words "God loves you. NO exceptions." Yes, God loves those who commit the lowliest of sins. I can only imagine the breath of relief someone might feel when they think about the Father who loves them, even if they have not a friend in the world.

30. Peter said the following at 6:50 AM on Aug 17:

How is this different from people who derive their doctrine from a single text, without context or scriptural support? Most of us have seen this happen, and the damage that it does.

Peter.

31. Laura said the following at 7:28 AM on Aug 17:

I really don't like the

--Sincerely, God

bumper stickers either. They always make God sound like this lonely college student who just wants a friend. What about his holiness, his omnipresence, his power and glory? I know he wants to be our friend, but I don't think we have the right to "put words in God's mouth," and make him sound trite and desperate.

32. Scott (DG) said the following at 8:19 AM on Aug 17:

Well, #13, you raise a good point and something to think about! We don't know what the true intention of the sticker is, but it could easily be interpreted as two completely different messages!

I think it's a good reminder to think about what we say, do, and broadcast and how people might interpret it.

(PS #5: Those coexist ones bug me too. I'm pretty sure it's preaching "tolerance" and not relativism.)

33. Louise from Chicago said the following at 8:39 AM on Aug 17:

Oh yeah I'm sure the Higher Power just bleeping ADORES everyone on the Boundlessline blog.

Except secular humanists like me, that's why the HP struck me down with MRSA.

34. EM said the following at 8:44 AM on Aug 17:

My car is usually generously stickered. Frankly, bumperstickers make my commute less boring and I'm not afraid to say what I believe.

However, I choose my bumperstickers carefully. My goal is not to offend but to challenge, intrigue and maybe motivate someone to think a bit when they pass my car. I don't know if it works but I have had people stop me at traffic lights multiple times to comment on my stickers, ask where they can get similar ones, etc.

35. Alicia M said the following at 8:51 AM on Aug 17:

I have seen this bumper sticker before, and it's nearly always on a car that has rainbow stickers, the coexist one, and a myriad of environmental message bumper stickers. So I think your assessment is ptrobably right on. Of course God loves everyone, but because he does, he calls us to repentance and to turn from sin and allow Jesus to be our salvation and forgiveness.

36. Prickly Pete said the following at 10:25 AM on Aug 17:

Alice Small (#23):

God's love and mercy trumps all!

That is the problem with statements like that, though, they gloss over important truths. God's mercy does NOT trump all; if it did, there would be no hell, He would be merciful to everyone and not let anyone be separated from His love.

I imagine most of us would agree that the common "cultural Christian" view of God is a pathetically small one, as someone who is more of a buddy than a Master, more full of laid-back tolerance than all-righteous judgment. Yes, bumper stickers are silly, but as a springboard to discuss who God really is and our proper response to Him, I think this sort of thing can be a valuable discussion point.

Louise from Chicago (#33):

Oh yeah I'm sure the Higher Power just bleeping ADORES everyone on the Boundlessline blog.

I have my doubts about whether you will be open to hearing this, but I'll give it a shot. I would encourage you not to let other people color your view of God. God is completely holy, regardless of how anyone who claims His name acts. You might feel like self-righteousness is warranted from experiences you have had with believers in the past, but ultimately that is the exact opposite of the attitude we should have in approaching God. We are nothing before Him but sinful, wretched people in desperate need of His mercy.

37. Katherine said the following at 11:58 AM on Aug 17:

I'm a bit taken aback at all the really really strong negative reactions to the coexist bumper sticker. I suppose, as others have pointed out, one's response is informed by context. I spend my days working at a non-profit that serves refugees, many of whom became such on account of religious terror and persecution: Shias and Sunnis, Hindus and Christians from a Buddhist country, Mandaeans, Druze, and many others who are religious minorities. So, yes, while I too get frustrated at those who will equate tolerance with the acceptance of beliefs I don't hold (or dismissal of ones I do), the call for all those who hold to different religions (or none at all) to coexist--to be able to exist in the same space as one another without killing or kidnapping or raping or destroying or terrorizing--is laudable and extremely relevant.

38. Louise from Chicago said the following at 12:05 PM on Aug 17:

Comment 36, thanks for reminding me that the Higher Power is nothing like the lousy people on this planet, both your kind and my kind.

I'll try and remember that sir.

Have a nice day.

39. Bryan said the following at 12:10 PM on Aug 17:

I don't think the statement "God loves everyone, no exceptions" is theologically correct.

Jesus tells the parable of separating the sheep and the goats. Some are condemned to Hell, others are "seated in the heavenly realms of Christ Jesus." This does not seem loving to most people. In fact, it raises the "If God is a loving God..." argument. Of course, that discussion often involves starting with one's definition of love and applying it to God instead of starting with God and determining what he says his loving nature is.

However, God's love is freely available to everyone who seeks. If that's what is meant by saying "God loves everyone," then I agree. But the language is imprecise. The issue goes deeper and the emphasis should probably be on the seeking.

I once saw the words, repeated three times, "Jesus loves you," taped onto a street light along a busy road. I had to ask myself, what is that person trying to accomplish? Love can mean whatever a person wants, so nothing is really communicated.

40. Matthew Jones said the following at 3:01 PM on Aug 17:

The irony of acceptance and love is that what people mistake for being open to all will often be the cause of rejection by others. And as we've seen, as Christianity has become more effeminate and affectionate, Christianity is losing ground against more judgment and condescending ideas (atheism and Islam).

Standards strengthen; tolerance does not.

41. Becky said the following at 3:42 PM on Aug 17:

(#39) You are correct when you note that the term love has many connotations. The differences in language will always challenge believers to seek what the writers of the Gospel wished to convey. Thankfully, the original languages of Scripture have words that better specify the meaning of love than English. Imagine: can we "love" God in the same way that we "love" meatlovers pizza or how we might intimately "love" a spouse?

I recommend you read C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves. It really opened my mind when it came to this subject. It also helped me understand that the love God has for man is unconditional, as defined by the word they use in reference to God's relationship with mankind.

42. V.V. said the following at 8:54 PM on Aug 17:

Know which bumper sticker IS cool?

"Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to see Him."

And that's all I have to say about that.

43. Jim D. said the following at 8:59 PM on Aug 17:

The reason I like bumper stickers and signs is that they're not controlled by the liberal media.
As for this thread, it's obvious that the message can be interpreted in more than one way. So objectively, it is gambling. It's like building a balcony, and adding a shoddy handrail around the edge. Better no handrail, than a FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.
I would venture that most people have too much self esteem in this day, but even if there are so many people that loath themselves, it's most likely because they aren't as pretty or materially endowed as the next person. How many of them are remorseful over their sin? The bible talks about a Godly sorrow that leads to repentance.
The medium dictates how much one can expound the subject. I've seen small signs on people's lawns that have the ten commandments written out on two tablets. The signs have a nice appearance, but the words are about 3/4 inch (16mm?) high. They are for all practical purposes, illegible. Better to have one of the commandments, written so it can be read easily. So it is, that a short message can be employed. Does the biblical watchman on the wall analogy apply to us today? Why gamble that it doesn't? The watchman would rewrite the sticker in question to say: "God loves all people; hates all sin."

44. Befuddled said the following at 9:16 PM on Aug 17:

How about you don't drive a car, walk instead, and don't worry about bumper stickers?

Maybe Jesus would like such and such of a bumper sticker, but I don't think he'd sit in LA traffic for three hours just to read them.

45. Brent said the following at 12:34 AM on Aug 18:

Bryan, I think you have hit the button. What does love look like? Sometimes love must discipline and even ultimately punish or else it is not love.

Certainly the all accepting, non-judgmental and tolerant modern version is NOT what the bible teaches.

Language is too multifaceted to get any good truth into a couple of words on a bumper sticker

46. Vincent J. said the following at 4:39 AM on Aug 18:

Bryan (39)

Oh it certainly is theologically correct. If God didn't love the Godless please tell me why He sent Jesus again! Of course there's the difference between the love of God that saves people and the love God has for everyone that makes them breathe their next breath. I think I'd go by what I heard John Piper say on this. In a way Jesus died for everyone. All sinners deserve immediate punishment and every extra second they get to live is the grace of God. However, that grace was never free, because Jesus died for God not to act on His justice, right? So you can conclude from this that God loves everyone in making them breathe and in being patient to give them the chance to repent. To say God does not love everyone is not theologically correct I think. Besides...
If you tell someone who is seeking God "well, technically He doesn't love you yet. In fact. He hates you right now and wants you to burn for your sin. But if you trust your life into His hating hands, they will become loving!". I think we may be (with basis in God's Word) more gracious than that... praise God :-)

47. Dan Gill said the following at 6:51 AM on Aug 18:

My favorite bumper sticker simply says, "2 Kings 9:20." I had to look it up when I got home:

The lookout reported, "He has reached them, but he isn't coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a madman."

48. Tom Neven said the following at 7:25 AM on Aug 18:

Jay Leno tells the story of being behind a car at a red light. The car's bumper sticker read, "Honk If You Love Jesus."

Jay says he gave his horn a little tap, at which the other driver leaned out his window and shouted, "The light's still red, you moron!"

49. Tom Neven said the following at 7:29 AM on Aug 18:

Ben #24

"Have you ever noticed that everyone who drives slower than you is an idiot and everyone who drives faster is a maniac?" -- George Carlin

50. Brad said the following at 7:51 AM on Aug 18:

That bumper sticker sounds like an "easy out" for someone. They want to come across to their church friends as "spiritual" (and for some a bumper sticker apparently proves a certain level of spirituality), while not sounding judgmental to their non-Christian friends.

I don't think it's ok for God's people to take a middle-ground like this. We should stand up, choose one side or the other (be hot or cold, just not lukewarm).

51. Diana said the following at 9:24 AM on Aug 18:

I don't have any bumper stickers at all. I even put my college parking pass on a magnet so I wouldn't have to scrape it off my car. Most bumper stickers are kitchsy and unauthentic witnesses. A jesus fish might look nice on your rear window, but loses the effect when you cut me off.

52. Chris said the following at 9:34 AM on Aug 18:

The reactions on this subject of a simple bumper sticker remind me (again) of the great Mad TV sketch in which an artist shows his work to a Senator who oversees grants.

He shows him inkblots.....and the Senator sees it as child pornography ("naked little boys!")

He then shows him landscapes....and the Senator sees pornography.

Despite your strongest objections otherwise, perhaps the reality of the situation really is objectively different what you claim it to be.

53. Tara said the following at 12:35 PM on Aug 18:

For those of you who are saying that God loves everyone, what do you do with Scriptures like:

Psalm 5:5
Psalm 11:5
Malachi 1:3

54. Madelaine said the following at 12:22 AM on Aug 19:

Bravo, Heather (11)! And by the way, in case anyone's interested, I personally like the "Coexist" bumper sticker.

55. Vincent J. said the following at 2:09 AM on Aug 19:

Tara (53)

If you take those texts at face value you have to believe God hates everyone. We're all workers of unrighteousness, aren't we?
I'm glad God can't be easily pushed into a corner. God loves in different ways. The love for everyone in Christ is greater than for everyone outside Christ, but do you really want to say God doesn't love everyone? I don't think that's the most humble thing to say while we're in God's love. You should emphasize with non christians. If they don't think God cares for them in one way or the other, why should they ever want to honor Him?
I really think it's obvious that God loves everyone. It's hardly His hate that keeps everyone alive, is it?

Something else; What are we commanded to do with our neighbors? Love 'm, right? Do you think that love may reflect God's love for them? If not, where does that love come from?

56. Theo K said the following at 2:09 AM on Aug 19:

God does not love everyone in the same way. God's unconditional, electing and regenerating love, his *great* love (Ephesians 2:4) is reserved for his elect in Christ.

57. JJ said the following at 10:57 AM on Aug 19:

I agree with #34. The bumper sticker is a great conversation starter with people even strangers. When I was in college mine said "The Big Bang Theory- God spoke and BANG it happened."

I was not afraid to publicly state what I believe. However I believe there is tact and some bumper stickers are made to infuriate instead of question or inspire. You also need to consider what you on your car for the world to see; not just stick those things because it is a fad.

58. Al said the following at 4:07 PM on Aug 19:

Texas Craig, you bring up a good point. I've wondered about how easily we reduce the gospel to "God loves everyone" without further explaination or qualification.

However, the gospel message is that we have been loved in spite of our sin, evil, and rebellion, though those that don't accept the gospel do not continue to abide in that love. And there are verses like those below that seems to indicate that God is good to all, and I don't think God accidentally visits goodness on people without actually loving them:

"The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." Psalm 145

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" Ezekiel 18

So I get the sense that there is a tension between the verses you quote and other verses suggesting God's love extends (at this present time at least) to the wicked.

I think it may also be possible that God still loves those who He condemns, though our understanding of love must be much more nuanced than our usual understanding.

59. Texas Craig said the following at 6:46 PM on Aug 19:

Al:

You provide a thoughtful response. I generally agree with you. My real point was to show the tension that exists in scripture and the fact that God's love is a very complicated thing to understand. And, depending on the meaning, I would disagree with the premise that God continues to love everyone regardless of their actions -- at least in the sense that love is intended to connote some tenderness toward or positive feeling toward us.

60. Shannon said the following at 8:03 AM on Aug 20:

Louise from Chicago (#33), I read your comment "Except secular humanists like me, that's why the HP struck me down with MRSA." I'm not with you in the secular humanist boat, but I've had five bouts of MRSA in the past two years (plus one for my then two-year-old). I know how much that sucks, and I'm praying that you'll be fully healed and not have to deal with MRSA again!

61. Dexter Morgan said the following at 1:28 PM on Aug 22:

Your working here is cutting edge. You guys are so sharp and always get right to the point. And your humor can be killer.

Thanks for being so insightful.

62. Doug Ivison said the following at 12:54 PM on Aug 28:

As someone who spent years in Biblical Christian fellowship... practiced evangelism, both privately and publicly... and who is still touched by the content of the Bible...

I honestly wish that more Biblical Christians put a PRIORITY on love.

I partly agree with you: the message of that bumper sticker is presenting God's love in a broader way than most modern-day Biblical Christians would present it... but I don't think it's broader than how Jesus (the parable of the good samaritan) or Paul (I Cor. 13) or John (I Jn. 4:7-8) would present it.

I would be impressed -- TOUCHED -- if your article also included a CALL to Christians to be good witnesses with their lives -- their words -- their very energy -- by BEING LOVE.

Galatians 5:22-23

Note the last verse of I Cor. 13 -- does suggest love (agape) is even more important than faith?

How many Christians have a moment-to-moment sense of walking in the Spirit? For how many is it *real* that life in the kingdom is BEING the fruit of the Spirit?

We are called to more than "being convincing." We are called to the possibility of "being inspiring." And that only happens when the fruit of the Spirit is present in who we are being, and what we are saying right now.

63. winpromote.com said the following at 12:39 AM on Sep 24:

Hey ,I really enjoyed reading what you had to say.You have lots of good ideas.This is really a great stuff.Keep going.Thanks for sharing.

64. Jemma said the following at 11:46 AM on Oct 27:

HOGWASH! a bumper sticker is an expression of oneself.....If I were to use the coexist bumper sticker it would mean just what it says...live together in peace regardless of differences. If YOU want to read something else into it...that's YOUR bad....not mine. I say, if you don't like bumper stickers, don't tailgate and you won't be forced to read them.

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