MIke Eppinette sent me a link to the Witnesswell website. Witnesswell uses the five symbols found in this picture to share the gospel. The story of the symbols is found on the website: "Over twenty years ago, Bill Smith drew these symbols on a chalkboard while speaking about the life of Jesus at White’s Ferry Church of Christ in West Monroe, Louisiana. Mac and Mary Owen were in the class. They were impressed with the idea that these simple symbols could be used to tell the story of Jesus. Mac is a furniture builder and cabinet-maker. He began drawing the symbols on the back of items made in the shop of M&M Millworks." Read the rest of the story here.

Here is what the symbols represent:

1. Down arrow - Jesus came
2. Cross - Jesus died
3. Arch - Jesus rose
4. Up arrow - Jesus ascended
5. Down arrow - Jesus will return

While there is always a danger in shorthand presentations of the gospel, I think that they can still have their place. My experience has been that for people to come to faith today, it must happen over many weeks of study and engagement in the Christian community. However, a shorthand presentation is good towards the end of an evangelistic study.

I like this shorthand presentation for several reasons: 1) it is made up of symbols, which are richer and allow for more explanation than words; 2) it concentrates on Jesus; and 4) the symbols as they are designed on t-shirts and the like are ancient looking, and they can spur conversation.

Most people today need to understand the creation story and God originally intended for this world. A comprehensive presentation would need to include this. But as a shorthand presentation of Jesus--who is at the center of the gospel--I like this. I'm going to order a t-shirt, a hat, and a wall hanging!
What do you think of these symbols as a shorthand presentation of the gospel?