A few weeks ago I posted a blog titled “WWJD” where Zac proposed a different focus of importance: “What would Zac do, or WWZD?”

Then, when I saw this bumper sticker last week

I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. —Ghandhi

And now, even more, I think Zac made a good point.

My son sent this to me. I couldn’t resist…

The light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.

He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, ”I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally…I assumed you had stolen the car.”

(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