Ass Mass & Lil NazX

Where the early Christians ass worshipers? Well, according to an ancient wall doodle, that is what some people thought they were doing. What is now known as  “Griffitto Alexamenos,” this 3rd century wall carving depicts the backside of a naked human body, with a head of an ass being crucified. This picture shows the original wall carving, and figure two is the stone rubbing trace of the drawing. To the left, we see the  image of a young man looking up and lifting his hand in salute or praise to the figure on the cross. In addition to this, we see crudely written between them, in Greek, the words, “Alexamenos worships (his) god.” This is one of the earliest images of the crucifixion we can find…and Jesus has the head of a donkey. What are we missing here?

The graffito (graffiti) was discovered in a former dormitory where the Roman emperor’s scribes and other servants lived and worked. There were hundreds of etchings found on the walls, but they were mostly people’s names or a few images of animals. This particular image stands out amongst the others because it was clearly meant to send a message. Although the artist is unknown, we can see that a page boy wanted to shame, taunt, or even expose Alexamenos. Perhaps this image served as a warning to other Christians in the dormitory to hide their faith, or face ridicule. One thing has not changed over thousands of years…teenage boys bullying each other.

You may ask, “What about Jesus’ ass head?” In 3rd century Rome, early Christians were the subjects of many rumors and misunderstandings. Remember, Christians were basically a Jewish cult at the time, and were very different from the prevailing pagan culture. Christians were thought to be cannibals because they “drank blood” and “ate flesh” in their eucharist celebrations. They were also accused of being incestuous because folks called each other brothers and sisters in Christ…which can be confusing if you’re married. At that time, both Jews and Christians were accused of practicing onolatry (donkey-worship), but that was due to disparaging rhetoric from critics of the Jewish and Christian movement. Tertullian, Josephus, and other ancient historians have written about folks parading down the streets of Rome, handing out and displaying caricatures of “The ass-begotten God of the Christians”. What really caused this ass obsession rhetoric in ancient Rome really had to do with their pagan understanding of what gods were like. There were the people who believed in Zeus, and indestructible god who could smite with lightening bolts. They believed that it was absolutely absurd to worship a deity who was mortal and died a humiliating and criminal death. Paul even said in 1 Corinthians 1:23, “…but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” Crucifixion was a form of public, capital punishment meant for the worst criminals, to serve as a warning not to mess with the empire. The cross is the modern day equivalent to a noose or the electric chair. You would have to be as foolish as an ass to believe in and follow that god.

Christians at that time were able to take this ridicule in stride. After all, Jesus had said to them that they were blessed when people despise and slander them for His sake (Matthew 5:11). Christians found their power by subverting language and images in the prevailing culture and using its power to bring greater meaning and depth to their theology. In Medieval times, Christians played into the ass narrative by having the “Feast of the Ass” or “Ass Mass” to celebrate the Holy Family riding into Bethlehem. This festival was a byproduct of the “Feast of Fools” where clergy and lay swapped roles and roasted each other. Of course, as Christians became more politically powerful they lost their sense of humor and no longer celebrated these subversive feasts. 

Today, we see street art, caricature, and other forms of art being used to subvert power by using language and images that may seem absurd, violent, or even obscene. Black liberation theologians like Rev. Dr. James Cone have written about “The Cross and the Lynching Tree” showing how Black Americans identify with the violent and obscene image of the cross with their own oppression, and finding liberation in the risen Christ.  Much like how Lil Nasx made a music video showing him being chained, put on trial, condemned to death, and then sliding down a stripper pole into hell in order to seduce and kill Satan, taking his power away from him. Lil Nazx’s harrowing of hell brought delight and liberation to LGBTQ+ people and those who have been harmed by the language and images Christians in power held over them. For the Christians in power (who’ve lost their sense of humor) they have been deeply offended and outraged by it. Rev. Dr. Jacquie Lewis wrote in a recent article regarding this music video, “He (Lil Nazx) reclaims the symbols others used to condemn him to proclaim is own blessedness.” Although the tables of power have turned for American Christianity, there is still power to be found in our subversive tradition for those of us on the margins. Sometimes we are the butt of the joke like Alexamenos, and other times we have the courage to challenge these powers with our creativity. 

Jaz WaringComment