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Messy Spirituality

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Woke Like Jesus

Woke Like Jesus

Last updated on: November 30, 2023 at 5:15 pm by Jason Elam

Woke Like Jesus 2023-11-30T16:07:01-05:00 Jason Elam

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The word “woke” has been co-opted by the political right, but its’ origin lies in the African-American community during the American civil rights era. The original users of the term used it as an admonition to one another “stay woke” or remain awakened to the dangers of injustice all around them. Would Jesus of Nazareth be considered woke today?

Twisted Meaning

Today, the word is used by some right-wing culture warriors to demean anything they disagree with.

Don’t like Trump? Woke.
Don’t like Truth Social? Woke.
Don’t want to ban books we disapprove of? Woke.
Supporting Disney? Woke.
Allowing trans athletes to participate in sports according to their embraced identity? Woke.

The Wokeness of Jesus

In the Gospels, Jesus is often saying, “Let he who has eyes to see…” or “ears to hear” to represent the same type of admonition that the civil rights pioneers were getting at.

Feed the hungry. Woke.
Visit prisoners. Woke.
Forgive debt. Woke.
Heal the sick (for free!). Woke.
Loan and don’t charge interest. Woke.
If someone asks for your coat, give them your shirt as well. Woke.
Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. Woke.

How Did We Get Here?

How did so many church-going Americans end up so far from the ideals represented in Jesus’ sermon on the mount?
It’s possible that our discipleship was more formed by Donald Trump, Fox News, and the ultra-conservative parachurch organizations like Focus on the Family than by Jesus.

I’ll be diving into this topic in my next book which will hopefully be released next year.

Relationships and Religion

Politics and Religion

About Jason Elam

Jason Elam is Brandi’s grateful husband, the proud dad of 4 awesome kids, a former professional wrestler and radio broadcaster, and local church pastor for over 20 years. Jason currently works with people coming out of incarceration to empower their dignity and help them find employment. He is one of three co-hosts of The Messy Spirituality Podcast. Jason and Brandi compiled the book, Parenting Deconstructed in 2022. You can connect with Jason on Facebook, X, Instagram, and at JasonElam.com. You can read more about the author here.

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