Madonna, a Humiliated Savior and the FCC
NOTE: This post needs some editing. I will likely work on it some more and will hopefully put in some links to Scripture for some of the comments I make. However, I wanted to post it as-is for now, since I don't know when I will get the edits done.
UPDATE 10/20/06: It appears NBC will not show the mock-crucifixion scenes. This BBC piece gives details
I am sure that you have likely heard of the upcoming broadcast on NBC of a Madonna concert during which she engages in actions that are openly blasphemous and offensive to the cross of Christ. These include hanging on a disco-ball crucifix and wearing a fake crown of thorns while singing. The behavior is outrageous and obviously a ploy to gain publicity. (note: I am not linking any of the available images of this concert because, frankly, they are offensive and if you need to see the pictures to take my word for it, you have missed the point already.) If you are on the mailing list of any of the major Christian family-values groups you have likely gotten an email or two advising you how to protest this broadcast and listing several reasons why your support is needed right away. Let me say right away that it may very well be a worthwhile activity to publicly oppose such displays as this. I am also sympathetic to the chorus of voices reminding the public that few, if any, other religions could be mocked like this on national network television. All of that is true. But I would like to delve into this a little deeper and ask ‘what or whom are we really protecting when we band together and assault the FCC and television networks with our petitions and demands about programming?’
The immediate answer is that is often given, in some form, is that we are protecting the dignity and name of our Lord Jesus and standing up for our “rights” as Christians. But are we? And, further, is this one of our primary concerns as followers of Jesus? To either question, I would be hard-pressed to give an emphatic affirmative answer. Let me explain what I mean.
When Jesus was on earth, one of the things that marked his short life was shame. It is all over the gospels. His family thought he was nuts. Religious leaders mocked him. He was often with undesirable people in undesirable locations. He had no home, no money, and was hated by many. In Isaiah 53, Isaiah writes that this suffering servant was like one from whom men hide their face. Then, of course, Jesus came to his ultimate humiliation when he was tried and sentenced to crucifixion. He was mocked, tortured, spat upon, hung up naked for the world to see and killed. But this was his cup to drink. This had to happen, so he endured the cross.
When Peter jumped to his side with a sword in the garden, Jesus stopped him. When Pilate asked where his kingdom was, Jesus said it was not in this world. Jesus was quite content to bear his shame and reproach and we are invited to bear it as well. But that doesn’t fit well with American mindsets. No, it couldn’t be that enduring the shame of seeing ridiculous things like the Madonna concert is a good thing. Our neighbors know we are Christians. Our unbelieving family members know that we are Christians. We have to show them that we mean business in standing up for our team. So we appeal to government authorities and huge corporations to rescue Jesus. We must step in save him. But, remember what was written above, Jesus rebuked similar help in his last hours and refused to rely on earthly authority. I think we must figure out what it means to follow in his steps and be willing to share in his shame as well as his glory.
So my appeal to you is this: As you contemplate how to react to this Madonna silliness (and countless other media events that will come up), ask yourself where your motives are. Are you really worried about protecting the good name of Jesus or are you a little more worried about you reputation as one linked to Jesus? Ask yourself if Jesus really needs the help of regulatory agencies like the FCC to defend his honor. Finally, consider how you talk about this event with friends, family, and co-workers (especially non-believers). When asked about it will you simply go on a rant about how “persecuted” Christianity is in the media? Will you lay out the attack plan of how to “teach the television stations a lesson”? Or will you take that opportunity to talk about how Jesus really did come to suffer. How he emptied himself and took the form of a servant. How he embraced the humiliation, mocking, and ridicule so that people like me, you, and Madonna might have hope? Will you say that yes, Madonna is mocking Jesus but that you love Jesus and are following him with all your life? Will you align yourself with your Savior at the cost of seeming a little silly in the world’s eyes?
I hope we can do these things as Christians among the world. I think it is the right and Christ-exalting response. Because, you see, Madonna does on stage, Jesus has already been through worse and triumphed. Jesus doesn’t need petitions and legal action to protect him He never has and he has never called for them What he has called for are humble sinners who are willing to repent, place their faith in him and follow him, embracing the salvation he offers as well as the shame.
UPDATE 10/20/06: It appears NBC will not show the mock-crucifixion scenes. This BBC piece gives details
I am sure that you have likely heard of the upcoming broadcast on NBC of a Madonna concert during which she engages in actions that are openly blasphemous and offensive to the cross of Christ. These include hanging on a disco-ball crucifix and wearing a fake crown of thorns while singing. The behavior is outrageous and obviously a ploy to gain publicity. (note: I am not linking any of the available images of this concert because, frankly, they are offensive and if you need to see the pictures to take my word for it, you have missed the point already.) If you are on the mailing list of any of the major Christian family-values groups you have likely gotten an email or two advising you how to protest this broadcast and listing several reasons why your support is needed right away. Let me say right away that it may very well be a worthwhile activity to publicly oppose such displays as this. I am also sympathetic to the chorus of voices reminding the public that few, if any, other religions could be mocked like this on national network television. All of that is true. But I would like to delve into this a little deeper and ask ‘what or whom are we really protecting when we band together and assault the FCC and television networks with our petitions and demands about programming?’
The immediate answer is that is often given, in some form, is that we are protecting the dignity and name of our Lord Jesus and standing up for our “rights” as Christians. But are we? And, further, is this one of our primary concerns as followers of Jesus? To either question, I would be hard-pressed to give an emphatic affirmative answer. Let me explain what I mean.
When Jesus was on earth, one of the things that marked his short life was shame. It is all over the gospels. His family thought he was nuts. Religious leaders mocked him. He was often with undesirable people in undesirable locations. He had no home, no money, and was hated by many. In Isaiah 53, Isaiah writes that this suffering servant was like one from whom men hide their face. Then, of course, Jesus came to his ultimate humiliation when he was tried and sentenced to crucifixion. He was mocked, tortured, spat upon, hung up naked for the world to see and killed. But this was his cup to drink. This had to happen, so he endured the cross.
When Peter jumped to his side with a sword in the garden, Jesus stopped him. When Pilate asked where his kingdom was, Jesus said it was not in this world. Jesus was quite content to bear his shame and reproach and we are invited to bear it as well. But that doesn’t fit well with American mindsets. No, it couldn’t be that enduring the shame of seeing ridiculous things like the Madonna concert is a good thing. Our neighbors know we are Christians. Our unbelieving family members know that we are Christians. We have to show them that we mean business in standing up for our team. So we appeal to government authorities and huge corporations to rescue Jesus. We must step in save him. But, remember what was written above, Jesus rebuked similar help in his last hours and refused to rely on earthly authority. I think we must figure out what it means to follow in his steps and be willing to share in his shame as well as his glory.
So my appeal to you is this: As you contemplate how to react to this Madonna silliness (and countless other media events that will come up), ask yourself where your motives are. Are you really worried about protecting the good name of Jesus or are you a little more worried about you reputation as one linked to Jesus? Ask yourself if Jesus really needs the help of regulatory agencies like the FCC to defend his honor. Finally, consider how you talk about this event with friends, family, and co-workers (especially non-believers). When asked about it will you simply go on a rant about how “persecuted” Christianity is in the media? Will you lay out the attack plan of how to “teach the television stations a lesson”? Or will you take that opportunity to talk about how Jesus really did come to suffer. How he emptied himself and took the form of a servant. How he embraced the humiliation, mocking, and ridicule so that people like me, you, and Madonna might have hope? Will you say that yes, Madonna is mocking Jesus but that you love Jesus and are following him with all your life? Will you align yourself with your Savior at the cost of seeming a little silly in the world’s eyes?
I hope we can do these things as Christians among the world. I think it is the right and Christ-exalting response. Because, you see, Madonna does on stage, Jesus has already been through worse and triumphed. Jesus doesn’t need petitions and legal action to protect him He never has and he has never called for them What he has called for are humble sinners who are willing to repent, place their faith in him and follow him, embracing the salvation he offers as well as the shame.
posted by BKC | 11:49 AM
2 Comments:
Good post Brian. I found you through the Boar's Head Blog- interesting place. I have started my own blog to share about our work. You should come and visit. When you coming back out here? We miss you guys in our home group.
Strider, Thanks for the kind words.
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