Talking Jesus Doll

USAToday is reporting that the Marines’ charity ‘Toys for Tots’ has turned down on offer for 4,000 talking Jesus dolls. Personally, I don’t see this as any big deal. I actually agree with the notion that Muslim parents are going to flip when they see their little kids playing with a talking Jesus doll.

Although, I’m not sure I agree much with giving away Jesus dolls in any setting, and in any form. Now, I’m not saying that I am opposed to any kind of biblical action figure, doll, or toy set. Certainly there is an element of using visible objects to teach young children basic knowledge of the scriptures. But, I’m just not sold on creating a doll of Jesus, who is God in the flesh. What about you?

Does it violate the first commandment about graven images? Well, in my opinion, not really, though it could lead to that. No, I’m more concerned with the commandment that follows: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Misunderstanding of this commandment is pretty common, as most Christians unfortunately associate the breaking of this commandment as saying things like ‘Oh my God!’, or other vulgar terms with the name ‘God’ or ‘Jesus’ in them. However, I don’t believe that is what God is communicating here. If that were the case, then this is the single easiest commandment to obey. Just don’t say G-D, just say ‘oh my gosh’, or gosh-darn-it instead. Pretty easy to obey, huh? That's one reason why I believe God has the heart in mind when He commands this here, not simply the mouth. Taking the Lord’s name in vain is an attitude of the heart.

Vain means ‘worthless’, ‘irreverent’, ‘flippant’, etc. It means not taking God seriously, or His character seriously, or His commandments seriously, or worship in His name seriously, or His nature seriously. It is irreverent worship, an irreverent, unholy life, all under the heading of God's name. It is defaming His character.

So, why do I bring this up with the talking Jesus dolls? I’m not trying to spoil anyone’s fun here, but I do wonder if this can cause us to take Jesus flippantly -like He’s some kind of buddy of ours. Listen, Jesus was submissive, humble, meek and lowly while He was on earth, but after He was raised, we get a glimpse of Him on the throne in first few chapters of Revelation:

“…One like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” – Rev 1:13

Thus, I think there is danger in communicating a nice, happy, friendly Jesus who’s everybody’s best friend, and whose figure is no different than any other action figure (except minus the cool stuff like guns, swords and gadgets). Does this really plant an image of the Biblical Jesus into the minds of children? I have a hard time getting there. And if we have an incorrect image or understanding of Jesus, what is that in biblical terms? Well of course, that would be an idol. So we're back to the first commandment…

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

SDG