Harley Knock-Off Witness Wear

If you think that wearing this hat to a biker event will cause men with names like "Snakebite" and "Mad Dog" to fall on their knees in repentance, then you've got another thing coming.

Comments

[frank]

I have to weigh in here. I despise the consumerism of American Christendom as much as any on this board. But sometimes the complaints here just go overboard...this is one of those times. I have several friends who are reformed bikers who were really hardcore into the lifestyle before they got saved. They do where such shirts to these to biker rallies and all have said the shirts served as conversation starters and allowed them to witness and share their faith. You may think the shirts are cheesy, that is your right...but it doesn't make the shirt wrong or sinful. Remember, personal preference is not the measure of belief and doctrine. Harley motorcycles are not sinful, they are vehicles. I suppose you could argue this is imitating the world...I would say it is a parody or poking fun at the obsession some have with the cycles. Either way, the above shirts do not constitue idolatry. BTW...even a good thing can become an idol. It is possible to make an idol out of the doctrine of separation where it becomes the be-all-end-all of one's viewpoint and gets taken to extreme that it doesn't need to go to. We're to abstain from sin...that is what scripture is referring to when it talks about "the world" in a negative sense. There is no sin in wearing the above shirt or a Harley shirt for that matter. You said, "If you think that wearing this hat to a biker event will cause men with names like "Snakebite" and "Mad Dog" to fall on their knees in repentance, then you've got another thing coming." How can you be so sure what God can and cannot use to open the door of a witnessing opportunity??? That shirt is not sinful or idolatrous. A little silly? Perhaps...but it doesn't make it wrong, and as I've said, I've had friends with similar shirts that opened up a window of opportunity to witness. You can gripe and moan about it, I'd rather praise God that the gospel was shared.

[D. Stanfield]

How about the third commandment....

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

I definitely think this one breaks it. It puts Jesus, the Son of God, and God Himself, down on a human level.

D. Stanfield

[Joy]

Good post, Frank. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I, too, have had the opportunity to witness to people who have inquired about something I was wearing. Our church just did a series on "The Bigges Loser" dealing with things that we must lose (bad influences, sin, etc), things that we can't lose (our soul, salvation, etc.) basically with the message that we must lose everything for the sake of Christ. The world's view of the word "loser" is completely different than ours is. I lead worship and I got the worship team shirts with the word "loser" on the front and "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it--Jesus" on the back.

This shirt has opened up so many awesome opportunities for us! Everyone at church wants one so people will approach them and ask them about it so they have an opportunity to share their faith with complete strangers!

I don't know...I think God can use whatever he wants for His glory.

[Jimmy]

Chris...no shirt or hat is going to make some one automatically repent and give their heart to Christ...however...as Frank said...it is a great conversation starter.

D. Stanfield...what the heck does that comment mean?

[Allen Hayden]

There's enough motorcycle ministries bringing people to Christ to actually make the point that this type of hat does in fact contribute to brining people to Christ. Anyone who expected the hat itself to do so is a fool to begin with. How about the grass clippings brining unsaved gardners to Christ? Thouht not. Allen Hayden - Bikers For Christ.

[frank]

D. Stanfield said...I definitely think this one breaks it. It puts Jesus, the Son of God, and God Himself, down on a human level.

The shirt calls Jesus the "Heavenly Devoted Son." No mere human is Heavenly. Who is more devoted to us than God? I fail to see how this could possibly be seen as putting Christ on a human level. Furthermore, He was human as well as divine....God manifest in the flesh. The shirt acknowledges Jesus as being from heaven and being devoted to our salvation. How could any Christian disagree with that? As a Christian and a pastor who takes God and His word very seriously and places faithfulness to that word as my highest priority as a believer, I see nothing wrong with this shirt. We'll have to agree to disagree.

[James]

If biker ministries want to wear shirts and hats that proclaim Christ that's their business. BUT the problem once again is with those people selling these product. They act like they can steal and modify any company's logo or slogan and Christianize it.

The thing I find funny about this particular hat is that you actually have to look VERY HARD to see that it says something other than Harley Davidson.

If proclaiming Christ and starting conversations is your goal then this hat is not your best choice because of how difficult it is to see that it is different.

Christians need to come up with their own stuff and stop stealing from the world. I don't care if it considered 'Fair Use' because of parody. It is stupid, unoriginal, and it is a form of theft.

I think this site does a great job of exposing the Jesus Junk charlatans that are in the church who are schlocking their wares in order to make a buck off of Jesus. This is just another disgusting example of it.

[Ray]

wow the original comment is a tad legalistic dont you think? As Frank said, you have no idea what God can use to lead asoul to salvation. If something like this can open up communication with someone and even just plant the seed I would say its not bad at all.

[Frankie (Riffraff)]

No one with any foot in reality expect the "hat" to cause people ot repent. However, if it brings up the conversation of Jesus, as often times happens, and the person wearing it glorifies God and His Son we cannot know what God will do with this. I'm a biker and a prospected member of a Christian motorcycle club that ministers to 1% Clubs (the outlaw clubs) and I can tell you that this works and people are saved by this type of interaction all the time. However, the more important message here is, let's not judge. I believe Jesus had a thing or two to say about this as well..

[Brad Beebe]

I would like to start out saying " Jesus spent a lot of time teaching those who stuck close to the letter of the law" we find in the word that the "law brings death but the Spirit brings life".
We need to look at the Spirit behind this kind of thing, it is not to water down , take away from or destroy what God has for us. This is a symbal of a life change for the glory of God, Take it as an outward appearance of the change inside. And, if this can connect with a lost soul(which is our focus as disciples of Christ Jesus) then let it be used for that. Think of it this way, if you were lost and searching would you be watching for someone ready to pounce on you with his 2" thick bible under his arm or a person being lead by the Spirit of God by being themselves and relating where that person is at with the message of the gospel of a life changed by Jesus Christ.
Change is inward and reflects outward, not making sure everything looks good outside without change on the inside.