WWJD?
(An email exchange with one of my sons…)
Me: WWJD. What does that mean? I know it’s an acronym for What Would Jesus Do, but still
I wonder what it means.
A friend told me it was a motto that reminded her to act in a manner Jesus would approve of. I don’t like the philosophy. It seems like Motivation By Guilt. “If I act a certain way, then Jesus will approve and I will be in His good graces.”
Jesus’ intention wasn’t to teach a guilt-laden philosophy. It’s not what He was all about. He was all about love. Not guilt.
Zac: I don’t have a connection with the emotion of guilt in the same way you do because I was never taught it. However I have studied the question “Is man good or evil from birth?” I believe that someone who asks WWJD strongly agrees that man is born evil and that man must constantly do good deeds for redemption… or give up and do bad deeds because it’s easier.
WWJD is an idea that clearly formed AFTER Jesus’ death. Paul and Peter both taught the concept of WWJD. Unfortunately it never fully developed into “What would Peter do?” or “What would Paul do?” It almost did but no one at the beginning of Christianity took the full leap.
“What would we do better than our predecessors?” would be a slightly better question. I can’t speak for generations past, but my generation (yours too) has asked “What would our parents do?” and then we did the opposite. The trick is to live without regret AND learn from your mistakes at the same time. What would David do now? What would David do next time? It’s not an easy skill to accept and move on to accept again.
Me: Are you saying“WWJD” is a motto of guilt — but “What Would David Do” is more like me encouraging me to live by my highest values?
Zac: If more people assumed that man was born good, more people would ask internally “What would I do?” and then act in the best possible way they know. It’s really not a question of “what is globally moral?” but a question of “what is locally (or personally) moral?” Sometimes the two will conflict and that’s okay.
I believe the real conflict comes when asking WWJD becomes a quest for global morality.
Me: That feels true! Jesus focused on the thing of the moment, taking care of his local (personal) values and look what he accomplished. His story is about someone who taught higher principles and values; who enjoyed healing the sick and lame; who performed miracles for the purpose of bringing good to peoples’ lives. He didn’t act for the purpose of fame or notoriety. He loved people and enjoyed sharing His love. His story doesn’t include, “If you don’t act the way I tell you, then I will heap guilt on you.” He simply loved.
So seriously, WWDD? …or WWZD?
Zac: Is that egotistical? Did Jesus ask “What should I do?” Jesus taught people to act like him and yet we have not had a Christian messiah since him. There have been some saints but no prophets. Ironic that it had to end with him.
Still inquisitive,
David Wine
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A friend of mine holds the belief that we should do whatever is good for our fellow man. If we do that, we are really doing what is best for ourselves. For instance, if there are only two people on the earth, and I kill my fellow man, than how have I helped myself? I may have more corn to eat, but less help in sowing the seeds.
I am new to this blog stuff, but will try to give my two cents, which may not be worth much after the current leaders in Washington are done (sorry for the political blast!).
Jeff
It’s so easy to look outside one’s self for direction on what to do. There are so many life choices it gets confusing and overwhelming. Alot of this stuff requires quieting of the mind and being one with the soul.
I have some learning to do.
I love this blog. Alot. It’s been such a hard day for me these past 50 or so years…Knowing that my half century is just a drop in the bucket helps me feel better. Somewhere out there, above the confusion, the sadness, the loneliness of this violent planet, there’s the giant soft black blanket of lights that gently show the way. Evening…
[...] few weeks ago I posted a blog titled “WWJD” where Zac proposed a different focus of importance: “What would Zac [...]