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Yesterday, I had an idea for a topic. Today, I just can’t remember it. Today, I am reminded that the days of life are going by. I have heard people say that time flies for them; I still don’t know what time is. That is more rhetorical than actual. No, I don’t always intentionally pun. Well, let me not waste that which I don’t know and get to the topic. “Soul Bling.” Soul bling has been flashing through my mind lately, in particular “Christian t-shirts.”

The word t-shirt does remind me of the 100% organic t-shirts. What does that mean, to be a 100% organic t-shirt? Was the cotton plant grown organically? Was an organic spinning and sewing machine used? At what point along the construction of a t-shirt does the organic aspect last? At the local hemp store they have 100% organic, 100% hemp t-shirts. The really confusing part is that these t-shirts have graphics on them. So, the question is when did they start making 100% hemp, 100% organic plastic iron-ons?

A peer wears a Christian t-shirt once a week. The point is not that it is the same one or even that he wears it on the same day; we all have our patterns. The point is what to think about soul bling for Christians.

Cal had it right when he said, “I picture Jesus wearing a tuxedo print t-shirt. Because it says ‘I am serious but still like to party’” (Cal Naughton, Jr. from Talladega Nights). I want to know why Christian soul bling gives me a pit to eat. I just don’t like it. Some say that I don’t, because of shame or something like that. I say no one can eat a dozen eggs. I guess I ask the question to what end to does one wear Christian soul bling?

James Madison defined a faction as a number of people who have common interests that are adverse to the rights of others and/or to the permanent community (Madison, Federalist Papers 104). Without getting lost in some ivory tower dialogue about ends and common goods, let me ask, to what degree are evangelicals factions? When one wears soul bling, does one not advertise the faction that one is in? Fashion has never been a problem in and of itself, it is simply a medium. Now, before mass emails about crazy examples of extreme fashion, let me state that one is never upset at fashion itself but only the origins and end to which it is the medium between. Once again I climb the ivory tower. One has to be careful of this; since the escalator installment, it is ever so dangerous.

A Christian faction. This may have a pleasant ring. But what does one owe the musical notes too? If I am to be a Christian, then am I to be member of a Christian faction? This is lighter than it looks. To be a Christian is to be in a faction. Bold, but not bald. Being a Christian means being a self before God. Strange sentences for such an early blog. Not so much a statement as a challenge. Wow to us all. This challenge may not have a glorious end, fear strikes like the idle position before the crash.

Economics is like a tricky spyware. Once it has taken residence, it is a hard filter to discard. Advertise, advertise: the Gutenberg door of our time. Companies, corporations, businesses, brands, music, paintings, dance, and even colors: so much Christian economics. Soul bling. Advertise for a belief. Good market value. Sometimes even a good return. Where is the self, is it lost in these objects? Take the challenge. Is relationship equal to advertisement? Maybe an easy way out. Thank God, we have wanted that for years. To be persecuted for poor advertisement. Advertisement as a medium to martyrdom?

Can I be a shamed of poor advertisement? Seems one can. So where are we? Reframe this time and take a challenge: watch Fight Club and ask what is Soul bling.