Is there any question that Jesus needs new PR? He is constantly having statements and positions attributed to him from all corners. Everyone from the guy on the street to the sports fan holding up a sign to politicians (of all stripes) claim to be speaking for Him. There’s even a 76-year old guy who claims he can bench press 2000 lbs who keeps eating bad Mexican food, falling asleep in front of the T.V., and then announcing he is receiving messages from God.
Ben Folds talks about this in Jesusland, singing Town to town / broadcast to each house, they drop your name / but no one knows your face / Billboards quoting things you’d never say / you hang your head and pray // for Jesusland / Jesusland //
There aren’t many things that I know of that beg satirical attention more than all the statements attributed to Jesus. Fortunately, there are some people who are addressing it. Acclaimed author and speaker Matthew Paul Turner (you are acclaimed, aren’t you, Matthew?) recently finished writing a new book titled, appropriately enough, Jesus Needs New PR. Since the book doesn’t come out until September, Matthew has just started a new blog of the same title. He described his blog this way: This blog is a satirical blog about how Christians portray Jesus within culture, media, politics, and other areas of our society.
In his first post, he said:
As a writer, you’re always looking forward to your next book or project. Well, that would be an understatement for me. I’ve been working for a little more than a year on my book: Jesus Needs New PR. I am beyond excited about it. I’m in the editing process now, as it doesn’t release until the fall of 2007.
Tyndale House Publishers out of Chicago will be releasing it. And I love the people I work with at Tyndale. Not only are they kind and helpful and fantastic at what they do, they’re taking a risk with this book. Why is it a risk? Well, because Jesus Needs New PR is not like anything that I’ve ever read from a faith-based publisher. And since Tyndale is best known for “Left Behind” and “The New Living Translation” of the Bible, this book is a rather big step for them. But you know, I really wouldn’t want to take that step with anyone else–they’ve been wonderful.
As the release day gets closer, hopefully, I will be able to let you sample some of it. I can’t wait for that. Until then, the topic is Jesus and his PR… let the conversation begin…
MPT
I’ve enjoyed reading Matthew’s other books, especially his first one, The Christian Culture Survival Guide. One of the reasons I enjoy his writing, I’m sure, is because our backgrounds are similar. We both grew up in Independent Fundamental Baptist churches, his family went to a Jack Hyles church (if you don’t know who that is, consider yourself lucky), and he even heard my Great Grandfather, John R. Rice, preach when he was about 6 years old.
Check out Matthew’s blog here, or from the links list on the left.
So does that mean that you’re applying for the job of new PR agent?
Three subjects woven together that are all close to my heart– Jesus, John Michael Talbot, and PR. I’m John Michael’s PR person, helping to get the word out about his music ministry as well as our community, the Brothers & Sisters of Charity here at Little Portion Hermitage Moanstery in the Ozarks. (see http://www.littleportion.org) Keep rebelling against indifference! If we give Jesus our lives after we’ve given Him our hearts, He will use each of us as PR agents to spread the good news of His kingdom. I’m looking forward to both the new book your blog mentions, as well as JMT’s 50th CD. Key Krecker, PR/ JMT
Jesus has had bad PR since His days on earth. Nothing’s new. It’s the same old slander in a lot of cases. Matthew’s book sounds interesting. I doubt if much will change. Liars about Jesus will keep the way narrow because people tend to believe anything they hear without checking its veracity. I would be the same way if I were an unbeliever.
Hope all is well with you! Jessica