Piss Christ.

Piss Christ is a controversial photograph by American photographer Andres Serrano. It depicts a small plastic crucifix submerged in a glass of the artist's urine. This piece was a winner of the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art's "Awards in the Visual Arts" competition.

During my art history section, my episcopalian TA talked about Jesus. The discussion today was about simulacra and simulation. Simulacra was defined as "a copy of an idea," and simulation was described as "a copy of an original". And also the term, "semiotic discourse," which is the association of an object with something else. An example he used in class was, when people see the cross, they automatically think of Christianity rather than a Roman torturing device.

The example of the image of Jesus, or rather the "constructed image of Jesus," my TA asked us about how we thought Jesus looked. The description by fellow peers is as follows, "kind of tall, brown bearded white male" My TA then followed up by asking if anyone knew why this depiction of Jesus was wrong. When none of us could answer, he said "Single Jewish men were shaved." Which was the beginning of the awkward silence that echoed throughout the classroom.
After that short introduction, he explained why he was telling this to us. He said that through semiotic discourse we, as humans, have taken the pictorial Jesus, and have made it more real to us than the historical figure of Jesus. And through that "faith is needed less." Because we can see it, we do not need as much faith.
If I recall correctly, he did not mention whether or not it was wrong or not, he simply stated that the semiotic discourse gave people a misconception.
And this is why I am writing this entry. When my TA first told us about this "Piss Christ," my ears perked up, and I closed my laptop. I, along with other past Christians (I can only assume), was deeply offended. But, as he started to explain how people take this image of Christ and make it "more real to them than the real Jesus," I realized how foolish I was. We hear so many messages about not making idols of Jesus, and not letting the cross, or any image (for that matter), to take place and limit the capacity of our Lord. And time and time again I find myself being guilty of unintentionally placing my faith in some idol.
And so subconsciously I fall into the trap of just making the cross a symbol of Christianity, and rather than realize the importance of the act accomplished on the cross, I let this torturous device represent my faith. And even though this piece of art was made through secular means, and probably to spit at God, it showed me that Christianity cannot be limited through mere human representations. And just after the Homegroup message, I realized that we need to remember Christ and our faith not through idols, but through reflecting upon the times in which He saved us, the times in which He pulled through for us, and the times in which He strengthened us.

There is so much more I could write, but if I keep writing, I think most of you (who read this) would be bored. Also, sorry, I wrote this over a 4 hour period; from when I got out of class til the end of Homegroup, so it's really messy.
I hope that this reminds and encourages you to not limit the Lord through human representations, but through remembering and meditating on who He really is.