Schultze: Chapter 7: Symbolic Power

Symbols are all around us. No doubt you will recognize what these symbols stand for...

Facebook: 39704-1287490872.gif

Twitter: mediaups.com

Target: thescene.com.au

Apple: http://www.obsessable.com/feature/pumpkin-carving-101-the-tools-of-the-trade/

Nike: ashwellgolf.co.uk

One of the most powerful videos demonstrating symbols comes from the movie Supersize Me. Here, Morgan Spurlock asks young boys and girls to identify different things based on symbols he holds up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpRQhVd63Y8&feature=related


It's shocking and disturbing to me. The youth in this tape can recognize Ronald McDonald almost immediately, but when it comes to Jesus they are stumped.


Oh. My. Gosh.


In chapter 7, Schultze investigates the power symbols have over us. These symbols and products behind the symbols are often controlling our lives in one way or another. For example for me, I work at Target. As I write this post I have my email, Facebook, and Twitter pages open. I am plugged into these products, and therefore, their symbolic and products are successfully pulling me in.


Schultze said something on page 105 that most people can sing advertisement jingles but cannot recite the Ten Commandments. As Christians, shouldn't it be the other way around? Schultze suggests that we should communicate the way Christ did by downward mobility (reaching out to those in need), and symbolic generosity (sharing our communication gifts with others), but how can we do that if we are so absorbed in different symbols?


As a journalist, I have the power to connect to those in need and share my gifts of writing if I use my writing gifts to please God. I can write about the good things happening in the world. I can write about the positive sides of negative stories. i can write to inspire, to change, and bring people to action.


I can even use these symbols, and other symbols in my life to do so. I can blog. I can update my statuses to share the Word. I can demonstrate my Christian beliefs through my actions and attitudes at work. I can do my part to keep the Word relevant, in a world where symbols are all around us. 


How will you do your part?