Thursday September 24, 2009

 
11

What’s up with the fish?

 

One of the most well-known symbols displayed in traffic jams all across America is the ichthus, or Christian fish symbol. Next to the cross, it is the most readily identifiable Christian icon in the world, dating back to the earliest days of Christianity.

It actually started out as a secret sign to identify followers of Christ. During eras of persecution, Christians needed to take great care in protecting their identity so as not to end up dining with lions.

When a Christian met a stranger along the road or in the marketplace, they would draw one arc of the fish in the dirt with a sweep of their foot. If the stranger reciprocated by drawing the other arc, they knew they were safe to reveal their faith.

From then until now, the fish has identified people of faith to one another. While there are many who proudly display the fish symbol on their bumpers, t-shirts or pieces of jewelry. Others are uncomfortable doing so, because they feel the symbol trivializes or even politicizes their faith rather than helping them to proclaim it.

I am interested to know how you feel about the fish and other symbols. What do you think?

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Category: Re-Imagining Life, Rethinking Church

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COMMENTS

  1. Dan Gill posted on September 24, 2009

    I am totally for the fish symbol, Chapel stickers, T-Shirts, hats and anything else that says “over there is a Christian.” I have met more people at the store or in the neighborhood because of The Chapel magnets than I can remember. Indicating your faith publicly does a number of things.
    It might get the non-believer to engage in a conversation and it might tell another believer that they are among friends.
    Plus, it is a great built in accountability partner.
    Christ is into what is in your heart, not what is on your back or your car. But, the people that need to be reached in the world don’t know that yet. I am all for advertising Christ in any way possible.

    1. Kathy Dever posted on September 24, 2009

      I proudly display my Chapel magnet as well as many Christian band stickers on my car. I don’t have a “fish” but I wish I did, the other day I was behind a lady who had a fish with legs that said “darwin” inside as well as a sicker that said “God is pretend” which is totally mocking our own “God is real” statement. My first thought was that she’s going to hell, then I regretted that thought so I decided to pray for her as I passed her up so she could be behind me and see what I was displaying. It’s just a kind of statement about who I am and I want others to see I’m proud to know Jesus and I’m proud of my church!

      1. Bruce Sanoshy posted on September 24, 2009

        My hope is that people posting the fish are very aware that others are watching, sorry to say but I have been flipped off by a fish posting driver before……..If your going to wear a badge/symbol……don’t tarnish the reputation, it’s tarnished enough in the eyes of the world..just a thought

        1. Amy Aldrich posted on September 24, 2009

          Whenever I see someone with a Christian symbol on a necklace, their car, etc. I always feel a certain connection with them, even if we’ve never met. I like that about the symbolism — that it can create an immediate tie between two strangers. I don’t have a car sticker though because I don’t want others judging my faith or Christianity based on the way I drive (not that my driving is bad…but still, driving with three kids in the car can easily drive any sane person insane with the wish to quickly get home).

          1. Happy posted on September 24, 2009

            Personally, I love it when I come across any kind of an icon in the course of my day that points me back to my faith. I think Dan and Bruce both hit the nail squarely in observing that when we intentionally display something like the “Christian Fish” symbol on our cars, it does hold us a bit accountable to behaving in a way that honors the Lord, tho really, we should be doing that whether there’s a fish on our car or not!

            But for me, seeing a fish on the back of a car, or the dozens of “God is Real” stickers driving around Lake Country, or the cross on the top of a church steeple creates a sacred space i my day – no matter how brief – a moment that causes me to stop and remember who I am, and Whom I love, serve and worship. I remember as a kid, even before I really knew the Lord, going to church and looking up at the cross that adorned the back wall of the altar, and knowing that there was something special about it. Later on, looking at that cross would become something of a lifeline – a remembrance and a reassurance that while yes, there are moments that seem impossibly dark, God knew all about that, and He would get me through. He did – He still does – and He always will. Seeing a fish, or a cross, or whatever symbol I come across reconnects me to that truth.

            I wonder how different our lives would be if we went looking for icons the way kids play “I Spy” on long car rides? :)

            1. Scott

              Scott posted on September 24, 2009

              Sorry – i really didn’t mean it :)

              1. Stacy Goebel posted on September 25, 2009

                I don’t have any Christian things on my car and really have no interest in doing so. I think for me, I feel it could be a stumbling block for non-believers who have negative opinions of Christians.

                1. Grant Hanson posted on September 25, 2009

                  I proudly display my God is Real magnet just for the person behind me who is thinking about how life isn’t going so well. I also like to see bumper stickers / fish / magnets so I can driver by them and give a big smile and wave or encouragement. That said, once we proclaim Christ as the leader of our lives, we have a huge responsiblility as a standard bearer for Him!

                  1. Tc posted on September 27, 2009

                    I definitely feel a connection to fellow drivers when I see Christian or chapel stickers on their vehicles and believe it’s a super idea. I also understand some churches (willow creek) stance on not having church specific stickers. Unless you remain vigilent that these symbols are representing your church and christians in general, it can be quite dangerous. I got rudely cut off the other day by a driver displaying the chapel sticker. Had I been looking for a reason not to go to church, my response could have easily been to cuss about the hypocrisy of the church. Saw the other day the chapel sticker right next to 10 pro Obama stickers and felt an incredible sense that this person was encouraging the angry spirit of current politics while claiming the love of Christ.

                    Anyway, kudos to people that proudly display their love of Christ and live it 100 percent of the time.

                    1. William Palmer posted on September 29, 2009

                      Being one who has been dragging his feet a bit when it comes to reading and studying the Bible, I find my car decal(NOTW), and the Christian clothing I wear help me communicate my faith to others, better than I would on my own. A buddy of mine, who’s slightly wider than me tells me all the time that he enjoys being a billboard advertisement for Christ!!! I have to agree. Putting God’s word out there, or just letting others know that there’s just one more person in the world that Believes…puts that “He’s got to be real” feeling out there.

                      1. Paul Santori posted on March 17, 2010

                        I feel for myself that displaying my faith with branding symbology is something akin to Christ's teaching that when we pray we should pray in private and "not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full". I'm not entirely sure that something like that isn't going on with the bumper stickers and fish and so forth. Then again, we don't want to put our light under a bushel either. I guess the quality of faith behind dispaying one's faith in any one way rather rather the quantity of displays is the most important factor. Praying will uncover God's will for any one believer in this area I guess.

                      Comments are closed.

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