Jan

04

What Do You Think …

Posted on January 4th, 2008 in Church Life, Faith by Fred McKinnon

Sorry this is my first “content post” of the New Year, folks … but I just couldn’t resist. HT (Hat-Tip) to Russ for sharing this.

A new “Christian” T-Shirt Company, selling T-Shirts with “tongues” (as in, speaking in tongues) on them. [begin sarcasm] Maybe an interpretation is written on the back side and they forgot to mention that. Maybe the shirts with tongues is for personal edification and they aren’t intended to be worn publicly. [/end sarcasm]

Honestly, I hate linking because I’m not wanting to give the link or traffic to HolyGhostTees.Com … but, there you have it.

Maybe I’m being critical and judgmental … wouldn’t be the first time, but it’s things like this that make me ashamed to ever label myself as a “Charismatic”. I have to take a time out and apologize to the Holy Spirit, and despite my disgust, I’m grateful that I am able to properly tap into His gifts, including that controversial one, in my own life.

Am I over-reacting?

Fred


  • http://rmckinno1.wordpress.com Robert McKinnon

    Nope. I may be cynical, but this tee-shirt company would only do this to “make money”. I don’t believe we should use a particular gift to “profit” in any other way than what it was intended.

    Don’t get me wrong, though. “Witnessing” tees are great. They proclaim in an interesting “fashion” (pun intended) that Jesus did what He did and why. But I have never heard Jesus saying (or the bible for that matter) to “go into all the world proclaiming tongues”.

    I’m with you, bro.

  • http://www.bernardshuford.com Bernard Shuford

    While I’m not a tongues practitioner, I still took a little offense at it, so I think I’m “with you” on this. It seems to be going somewhere that a business shouldn’t go.

  • http://www.fredmckinnon.com Fred McKinnon

    Thks, Rob – my thoughts exactly.
    Bernard -

    Thanks for the comment – btw, I noticed on your site that you are a “pianist” … any music posted online somewhere? Always like to checkout other pianist works!

    Fred

  • http://ucworship.wordpress.com Matthew Daniel

    Oh the insanity! One of the things I hate about we charismatic folks is that so many of “us” have to find our identity in our gifts (tongues/prophecy). It looks like this t-shirt is exploiting that movement in a way that will instill more pride in a person’s spiritual gifts than their identity in Christ. .

    Foolishness!

  • http://ordinary-radical.blogspot.com Russ

    Yep, I thought it was kind of absurd myself. I grew up full-fledged charismatic. I believe the gifts are for now. BUT, in the church family that I currently serve in we have a really great perspective on the gifts (especially tongues).

    Although, the gifts are a dynamic and huge part of my faith, they are not essential to “Christ and Christ crucified” – the basics of the gospel. We “preach” Christ, not the gifts.

    The Holy Spirit is powerful enough to reveal, engage, and develop the gifts in the life of a Believer without me ramming down their throat. Personal relationship is the best avenue for talking about the gifts, not necessarily from the pulpit as an “essential”…

  • http://www.chrismoncus.com/ Chris Moncus

    No way. With no offer of “translation” or anything of that nature… even no reference to God and the actual meaning of tongues and their purpose… this looks like some guy who used to be in the church found a way to make about $40 a shirt. I wouldn’t be surprised if the owner wasn’t even a believer.

    My “what the heck” meter is all the way up.

  • http://4whatitsworth.wordpress.com/ Shannon Lewis

    I think I have a pretty good sense of humor, and I didn’t find it even moderately funny, if that was it’s point, and if they were attempting to be serious, I’m with Moncus – with no ‘interpretation’ it’s pretty pointless. Personally, I’m ticked.

  • http://mandythompson.wordpress.com mandy

    that’s the dumbest thing i’ve heard all day. and i’m guessing the holy spirit told this guy to do it?

    drew said: “well, don’t buy one….”

    LOL!

  • Mom

    The scarry thing is that there will be an accounting one day for taking what is intended to be Holy and beautiful and exploiting it, which is what I believe is going on here.

  • Sis

    If you take a look at the pics on the site, one would wonder if any are saved at all. Some of them are, in my opinion, down right sensuous. I get the sense that it’s total mockery. Just check out where they say these “tongues sayings” came from (go to the place where you would order a shirt). My gut tells me that it’s a small group of folks who are playing off of what they have seen as Charismatic fanaticism in a totally irreverent way. Since when have you seen a plain white t-shirt with one saying on it cost $40 + another $9 for s&h? They’re probably laughing at everyone who is foolish enough to buy one of these shirts. Maybe I’m the one being too judgmental here, but I can’t help feeling that it’s a total farce.

  • http://www.worshipcity.wordpress.com WorshipCity

    The site is trying too hard to be “serious” and “fashionable” and “hip” that it comes across as such a joke! Cutting edge fashion??? Please! They’re ringer tees with block lettering!
    As a Christian, charismatic or not, that’s ridiculous.
    Although Mandy cracked me up with her holy inspiration comment :)

  • Justin Davidson

    I am sick………

  • http://www.travispaulding.com Travis

    Wow. What a bold endeavor. My guess is they are banking on negative publicity to sell these digs. The fact that they use Domain By Proxy for management shows they don’t want to actually be identified as owners or whatever.
    Seems like a mockery that will sell to two groups of people: the people that want to mock and the people that are desperate to be Christian AND trendy. Who ACTUALLY uses word like hip and trendy on their own stuff?

  • Daddy

    I’m in agreement with you and the others who have responded. I also believe it’s a mockery of holy things!

  • http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com Heather B

    Ok, Honestly I just laughed out loud. While it is completely wrong in EVERY sense of the word, that is just RIDICULOUS!

  • http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com Heather B

    Ok, Honestly I just laughed out loud. I mean I too have this gift but why in the world would anyone want a shirt like that? So yeah,it is completely wrong in EVERY sense of the word, but that is just RIDICULOUS!

  • http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com Heather B

    ok, well, i did not mean to post twice…My internet went down for a second, so I thought it did not take! Delete whatever!!

  • http://www.bernardshuford.com Bernard Shuford

    Just in case my email response to Fred went to a black hole address…

    Fred,

    No, I don’t really have any good “recordings” of my stuff anywhere. My wife continually wishes I would make a CD, but I’ve never had a real opportunity to do so. I’ve been playing for around 25 or so years now; I go through more obsessions with guitar than I do piano, but piano is clearly the instrument God has “given” me, even though it’s much less exciting to me than guitar.

    I’m primarily an “ear” musician, even though I’m very capable of reading music; music is just a part of me that I can’t escape. Most people that hear me think I’m much better than I really am, I think primarily because God has given me the ability to impart emotion into my playing. I don’t practice nearly as much as I should, due to work and kids, but I still get to play every Sunday for our little church, and I’m thankful for the opportunity.

    In a band environment – which I rarely have the opportunity to do – I’m much better as a guitarist than a pianist, simply because I’ve never really “learned” how to be a supporting keyboardist as opposed to a solo pianist. You know how much of a difference it is :)

    I bought your “worship under the stars” DVD package and was really impressed with what you guys did. I’ve also heard enough of your solo stuff to know that I’m nowhere near your level :)

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