March 31, 2007
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Chocolate Jesus
I read of a naked chocolate Christ in the news this morning. If you care to see what the fuss is about, you can check out the artist Cosimo Cavallaro's website at http://www.cosimocavallaro.com/ He is a "modern artist" who has also rendered works in cheese and ham. As I looked through his website I found his works uninspiring at best, and offensive at worst. He does not seem to be interested in providing inspiration towards a brighter day.
So what is the problem with the chocolate rendering? The anatomical correctness? The medium of chocolate? Jesus was incarnated as a male, and males do have physical maleness. And the fact is that he probably did hang on the cross naked, and it may be more historically correct to portray the event as it happened. (How much He loved us to go through such total humiliation!) That little rag that Christ is portrayed wearing on the cross in traditional art has been placed as a courtesy by sensible artists of the past and was in all likelihood not there.
I must ask myself about the artist's motive and intent. Considering that the subject matter is Christ crucified for his sins, I would think that he would treat it with love and respect, and with the goal of glorifying God and attracting others to believe in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. I see none of this in the chocolate rendering of Christ. By removing the rag, he reviews the humiliation for us, and joins in with the mockery that took place at the actual crucifixion. He expresses no adoration. By punningly appellating his work as "My Sweet Lord," he reduces a death of Christ for our sins to a joke and dismisses the entire point of the crucifixion. Does the artist think he is being cute by bringing his sculpture out around Easter to be hung next to chocolate bunnies?
Either the artist is totally ignorant of his subject matter or he is clearly and intentionally slapping God in the face. His intention is clearly to offend, and he is successful. "My Sweet Lord" has been done in the same spirit as "Piss Christ." One must abandon logic and reason to endorse the display of such a work. Father, forgive him, he knows not what he does.
I doubt that you will hear about any Christians rioting in the streets or calling for the artist's death. Maybe he should try a chocolate Mohammed and see what happens.
Comments (2)
Welcome back, friend. What did you think of the chocolate Christ?
I would agree that Easter eggs and bunnies have as much to do with the ressurrection of Christ as Santa Claus and elves have to do wih his death. If "Easter" is indeed derived from "Ishtar" then perhaps it would even be wise to drop the title and replace it with something else. Please to not think that my endorsement of rabbits has anything to do with the Easter season. I love rabbits all year round.
You made reference to the "pagan Easter resurrection." What part is pagan? "Easter?" The "resurrection?" If both words are included and you are saying that the resurrection is pagan as well, we definitely have a very serious problem here.
Please explain why the Jews picked up stones to kill Jesus for blasphemy when he said, "Before Abraham was, I AM." if Jesus was not claiming that He was God. I do not understand "not God, but more than a man." Either Jesus(A) = God(A) or Jesus(A)=man(B), but you are introducing a (C), something in between, or what?
Christ chose to celebrate the Passover of which He was the symbol with those who would understand its meaning and teach it to others, not a crowd that would not. When he fed crowds they followed him because their stomachs had been filled, not because they understood His teachings. This cannot be twisted to mean that only a select group can participate in communion today. Anyone who understands that Christ died on the cross for their sins and who have received forgiveness in his Name may come to the Lord's table. This is far in meaning from people who think that they are "good." On the contrary, it is those who know that they are not good, but forgiven who are invited.
The night time Passover service was not in commemoration of Christ's death. It was in commemoration of Israel's Exodus from Egypt. Those who celebrated Passover did not understand the meaning of the sacrificial lamb until after Christ's death and resurrection. I would invite you to make a survey of what Jews celebrate when they have their Passover meal.
Those who twist the teachings of God's words to say that Jesus is not God, that not all who have received forgiveness in Christ's name can partake in communion equally and would celebrate his death but not his ressurrection life have departed both God's truth and His teachings.
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the resurrection.
I was offended by the chocolate Christ because it mocks God who I love because He loved me enough to give all that He had. It makes the gift a joke. I am also offended by teaching that twists His truth by presenting Christ as less than He is, which is God incarnated. It makes Jesus a liar.
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