Jesus is my co-pilot?

I read this post the other day about how we shouldn’t use any of the names of God in vain.  One of the times mentioned when we do it is when someone says “Jesus is my co-pilot”.  I have to say, when I’ve heard that before, or seen it on a T-shirt or something, using God’s name in vain isn’t something I’ve thought about.  I always wondered – Why is Jesus only your co-pilot?  Isn’t that kind of a weird thing?

The topic came up in class Sunday, which made me think this is a good time to do an update.  The original is from November 2014.  It’s now August 2017 – almost three years later.  I’ll put the updates in text like this, so you can tell what’s new.

Obviously, “Jesus us my co-pilot” violates a different one of the commandments – the one about “Thou shalt have no gods before Me”.  Am I giving away something when I use “thou shalt”?  Always seems like I do that in certain circumstances.

So that’s at least two commandments we violate every time we say that, or drive around with a bumper sticker that says it.  Actually – I haven’t seen one of them for a long time, but I’m guessing that’s because the saying is out of vogue – not because it might violate a commandment.  Or maybe it’s because I live in ultra liberal California.  I just checked – christianbook.com and even Amazon sell Jesus / God is my co-pilot stuff.

Anyway – If we were going to do anything – wouldn’t Jesus be our Pilot?  Seems like that would make more sense.  What do we do if He’s our co-pilot?  Let Him take over when we’re tired?  Maybe He can take control when we’re in trouble?  Come to think of it – maybe being a co-pilot is really correct.  Even if it’s not what was intended?  Then we get to things like Jesus can have control of the plane until He starts heading off in a direction where I don’t want to go.  Then I’m exercising my rights as a pilot and taking back control!  Sounds like having another God before me.

I tried to find the origin of this statement, but no one seems to be giving or taking credit for it.  There is, however, a saying “God is my co-pilot”, for which credit goes to an actual pilot in WW II.  In 1943 an air force fighter pilot named Robert L. Scott published an autobiography of his experiences in the military and he titled it God Is My Co-Pilot. 1http://www.dictionaryofchristianese.com/god-is-my-co-pilot/  It didn’t turn into a “catchphrase” until the 1970s and ’80s.  I assume, some well-meaning person changed it from God to Jesus.

Footnotes

  • 1
    http://www.dictionaryofchristianese.com/god-is-my-co-pilot/
  • 2
    http://www.dictionaryofchristianese.com/god-is-my-co-pilot/
  • 3
    Turner, M., & McFarlane, G. (1996). Trinity. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., p. 1209). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
  • 4
    Sacks, S. D. (1988). Fear. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 781–782). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
  • 5
      Sacks, S. D. (1988). Fear. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 782–783). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
  • 6
    Smith, W. (1986). In Smith’s Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
  • 7
      Sacks, S. D. (1988). Fear. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 782–783). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
  • 8
      Sacks, S. D. (1988). Fear. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 782–783). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
  • 9
    Sacks, S. D. (1988). Fear. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 782–783). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

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