St Matthew-in-the-City goes on Facebook for an Easter message via Whybin\TBWA Auckland
Whybin\TBWA have looked to Facebook for their Easter message for St Matthew-in-the-City.
On the billboard outside the church, it appears to be a traditional image of the crucifixion but upon closer inspection it is a shared image on Facebook with only one like and it is by Judas Iscariot.
In commenting on the billboard, Vicar Glynn Cardy observed contrary to traditional understanding: “Jesus did not die for our sins. He died because he peeved a bunch of powerful people off. He lived and preached a message of radical inclusion that threatened the status quo. The authorities killed him for it. When there is a tragic death there is often a strong desire to apportion blame – the death of Jesus being a case in point. His early followers blamed each other and themselves. The early Church blamed ‘the Jews’, overlooking the fact that it was a Roman execution.”
Cardy continued: “Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, has in particular been blamed and vilified for centuries. The ‘dying for sins’ business was a spin the Church applied at a later date. It was part of a larger spin about him having to die, being God’s plan and all, in order to save us from our sins. We were to blame. This billboard uses humor to laugh at and critique our ongoing desire to apportion blame. The message of Easter is that blame, guilt, and regret will not lead to a happy, contented life. Blaming others or ourselves is not the way forward.
Rather the way forward is by caring for one another, welcoming those labeled nuisances and nobodies [whether Jesus or Judas], and building an inclusive community in which everyone is valued.”
Credits:
Creative team:
Devon Wood,Stacey Vergis
Project Manager: Tineke Vandewalle
Production: Michelle Hong
Client: Glyn Cardy, Clay Nelson.
4 Comments
So what? What an offensive campaign! Not only to those who believe but to anyone with a brain…this isn’t making me think, react or learn anything, just something for the sake of it, should you be forgiven for this unimpressive work
Interesting theory and discussion point.
Can I ask why Judas would ‘like’ this when he went on to suicide by hanging?
My other gripe is with Paul.
He never met Jesus.
Became new apostle.
Paul then writes 13 books in the Bible.
Explain.
Are you sure this vicar is genuine – and not some frustrated creative? If he is indeed for real, I think he needs to go back to theology college. Jesus didn’t come to earth to be some sort of anti government militant and an ‘unfortunate’ victim of any conniving, ruling establishment – but to teach forgiveness, peace, and ultimately be sacrificed in our place.
Vicar Glynn Cardy sounds a little bit like a heretic. I feel truly sorry for the people of his congregation.