The Paris Olympics Controversy and a Christian Response
Updated: 6 days ago
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony definitly generated immediate controversy around the world. Depending on who you ask, it was either a creative display of artistic expression or a troubling example of how far modern culture has drifted from biblical values. What surprised me most, however, was not the ceremony itself. It was the number of Christians willing to defend it.
Almost immediately, debates broke out across social media. Some argued that critics were reading too much into the event. Others insisted the performance was not meant to reference the Last Supper at all, but rather elements of Greek mythology and the god Dionysus. Still others claimed Christians were simply being overly sensitive and should be more accepting of differing forms of expression.
Perhaps the ceremony was not intended to be a direct parody of the Last Supper. Perhaps some interpretations have gone further than the organizers intended. Yet I find myself asking a different question. Even if we set aside the debate over symbolism entirely, are Christians still willing to examine what was actually being celebrated and presented?
That is where my concern begins.
As believers, our responsibility is not merely to determine intent. We are called to exercise discernment. We should be asking whether the messages, themes, and values on display align with the teachings of Scripture. When Christians focus solely on what the creators may or may not have intended, we can miss the larger issue of what is actually being communicated to millions of viewers.
The ceremony showcased themes of sexuality, sensuality, revelry, self-expression, and the celebration of behaviors that many Christians understand Scripture to prohibit. Whether those themes were presented through artistic performance, symbolism, or cultural commentary does not change the fact that they were present. When culture packages something attractively, Christians still have a responsibility to evaluate it through a biblical lens.
One of the challenges of living in today's world is that nearly everything is wrapped in language that makes criticism difficult. Words such as inclusion, expression, authenticity, freedom, and acceptance are often used as shields against serious examination. The moment someone raises a concern, the discussion is quickly redirected toward accusations of intolerance or narrow-mindedness. Yet Christians are not called to evaluate ideas based upon their popularity. We are called to evaluate them based upon truth.
That does not mean believers should respond with anger or hatred. It does not mean mocking people or treating them as enemies. Scripture calls us to love others, show compassion, and remember that every person bears the image of God. But love and approval are not the same thing. Compassion and affirmation are not the same thing.
Christians can love people deeply while still disagreeing with the messages and behaviors being promoted.
What concerns me most is how easily some believers seem willing to compromise when culture pushes back. There appears to be a growing pressure within parts of Christianity to reinterpret, soften, or explain away anything that creates tension between biblical teaching and popular social values. The desire to avoid conflict can become so strong that conviction slowly gives way to accommodation.
Scripture repeatedly warns against this kind of drift. We are told to be sober-minded, vigilant, and discerning. We are warned about deception, not only from obvious sources but from ideas and influences that gradually reshape how we think. The danger often comes not through outright rejection of God's Word, but through the slow process of convincing ourselves that what God calls sin is no longer sin because culture has changed its mind.
This is why discernment matters.
The Olympics ceremony itself will eventually fade from memory. In a few years, most people will barely remember the details. Another controversy will replace it, and then another after that. Cultural trends come and go. Public debates rise and fall. But the challenge facing Christians remains exactly the same.
Will we allow culture to shape our beliefs, or will we allow Scripture to shape them?
The world will continue testing boundaries. It will continue redefining morality, truth, and identity. None of that should surprise believers because Scripture warned that it would happen. What matters is how we respond. Not with fear. Not with panic. Not with outrage. But with conviction rooted firmly in God's Word.
As Peter reminds us: "Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
© Jane Isley
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