Would Jesus Give a Rat's Ass About This?

Keith A. Jenkins: WJGARAAT is an expression I came up with years ago. It came out of deeply rooted theological understandings and my search for a more authentic litmus test for ethical decision-making than “WWJD?” I’m basically asking, “Would Jesus have an opinion about this?” But that’s a little weak. I prefer an edgier means of expression. I like “edgy” because it pushes us out of our comfort zone and makes us question our presuppositions more thoroughly, and maybe even come up with more creative, more authentic ways of thinking and acting. So that’s why asking, “Would Jesus give a rat’s ass about this?” can be so valuable. Is the matter at hand something that Jesus would see as important enough to take a stand on? Or is it something about which he would probably say, “That’s optional, so think and let think.” While it’s still profitable to engage in hard-nosed, critical thinking and evaluation even in those areas that ARE optional, and to work toward the best possible response to those situations, there is less at stake. We approach our thinking, deciding, professing, and acting differently if the stakes are higher . . . if Jesus WOULD give a rat’s ass about it.

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