Charles Sheldon put this question on the popular mind in his best seller, IN HIS STEPS, penned in 1896 and now enjoying a revival of amazing proportion. In 1989, the book stirred Michigan youth minister Janie Tinklenberg, and she fashioned a bracelet with the question’s initials. Little did she know that one would eventually appear on the wrist of the New York Knicks’ Latrell Sprewell during the NBA playoffs and in thousands of other very public places. And little did she know that there would be WWJD board and card games, workbooks, key chains, bumper stickers, screen savers, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and tote bags.
The Mormons have come up with a counterpart, CTR or “Choose the Right.” And detractors have enjoyed supplying different translations, such as “Win With Jack Daniels” and “What Would Jagger Do?” You might say they’ve honored WWJD by mocking it. If it weren’t a threat to the standing of their values, then they’d likely leave it alone.
It’s obvious that thoughts of Jesus are spiritually healthful, and there is much about this question which is admirable. Still, I think there are a few hitches.
Let me suggest ten qualities of the question, the first five of which are salutary, the second five of which are problematical.
1. CONSECRATIONAL. It shifts the focus from unholy things to Jesus. In a world consumed with greed, bitterness, pride, ambition, envy, lust, and such, what a refreshment to join in considering our Lord’s desires.
2. EVANGELISTICAL. By wearing the letters, you may well prompt a gospel conversation. With false faiths trumpeting their doctrines and institutions with increasing volume, it is important that his people honor the name of Jesus at every turn. These bracelets help build and maintain a Jesus consciousness in the culture.
3. FRATERNAL. It can be lonely out there for the explicitly committed Christian, and the sight of another WWJD bracelet or T-shirt can be a real encouragement to believers. The logo helps Christians to identify one another, and fellowship can flow from that recognition.
4. MOTIVATIONAL. With our culture’s emphasis on feeling, it’s good to give attention to doing. Nike gave us “Just do it!” Now, Christians add, “…as Jesus would do it!” It’s also a good antidote to the notion that the responsible Christian life is basically a matter of more and deeper Bible studies. Bible study is wonderful and necessary, but you need to put feet to what you’ve learned.
5. EDUCATIONAL. The question could make you do your homework. You’re driven to study what Jesus did and does and who Jesus was and is.
On the other hand, there are some problems with the question:
6. IDENTIFICATIONAL. Exactly which Jesus do you have in mind? Of course, there is one real Jesus, but there are many human versions. Filmmakers serve up KING OF KINGS (DeMille), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Rice & Lloyd Webber), and THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (Scorcese). Writers give us A SMALL TOWN MAN (Austin), THEY CALL ME CARPENTER (Sinclair), and THE MAN NOBODY KNOWS (Barton). And within our congregations, there are strongly variant readings. Some see a “meek and mild” Jesus; others see the triumphal Jesus of Revelation.
7. EPISTEMOLOGICAL. Even when you get the right Jesus, how exactly do you know what he would do? Of course, you know he would not steal or commit adultery, but which book would he buy, in which neighborhood would he settle? Would he own a DVD? Would he go to baseball games? How do you know? Some say Jesus wants their kids in Christian elementary school where the Word is honored. Others say that Jesus wants their kids in public school, learning to be salt and light. Settling this is no simple matter.
8. VOCATIONAL. Let’s say you’re considering marriage. What would Jesus do? Remain single, of course. And how about a run for Congress? What would Jesus do? Well, he wouldn’t do this. So you don’t marry, and you don’t run for Congress? Not so fast. Jesus had his calling, his mission, and you have yours.
9. JURISDICTIONAL. Jesus cursed a fig tree which did not bear fruit, and it withered. He told a young man to sell all he had and follow him. Are these cues for our own behavior? No, for we lack his authority.
10. POST-MILLENNIAL. IN HIS STEPS was written in the “social gospel” tradition, one more attuned to the “here and now” than the hereafter. Its cultural optimism was consonant with a reading of Revelation 20 which saw Jesus’ return to earth as the capstone to an era of great Christian influence and peace. It has a high view of natural man and the progress he can make, but the Bible does not encourage this assessment of man. WWJD does not commit one to the social gospel, but one should be alert to these roots. Of course, good Christians are keen on the earthly health, education, safety, and freedom of all peoples, but their traditional focus is upon the gospel which can secure these same peoples’ heavenly home for an infinitely greater span of time.
So yes, wear the bracelet, but be aware of the confusions which might accrue. A better question would be, “What would Jesus have me do?” But, WWJHMD doesn’t quite have that ring.