Recently there has been much discussion around the portrayal of The Last Supper in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. But as Christians, what is the appropriate response? Are secularism and humanism replacing traditional beliefs?
Stephen McAlpine, an award-winning Christian author and pastor, recently joined us on 20Twenty to share his thoughts on the current controversy. He believes that using something as famous as The Last Supper helps create a connection with the audience, even if it means updating or altering the original depiction.
Stephen explained, ‘In such opening ceremonies, artistic directors aim to use widely recognised cultural references to communicate their message.’
Cultural and Religious Implications
Stephen addressed the concerns of many Christians about modern culture’s portrayal of religious symbols. ‘There’s a clear shift in how traditional Christian symbols are represented,’ he says. ‘The use of The Last Supper in such a way can be seen as an attack on Christian values.’
Stephen also talked about how these portrayals show a growing trend of secularism and humanism replacing traditional beliefs. He acknowledged that the portrayal was provocative, but suggests a balanced response from Christians.
‘It’s important for Christians to be vexed by these representations but also to see them as opportunities for dialogue,’ Stephen says. He believes that instead of resorting to anger, Christians should use these moments to think about their beliefs and spark meaningful conversations about faith.
The Bigger Picture
‘The Olympics often reflect a cult of beauty and physical perfection,’ he says. ‘Which contrasts sharply with the Christian understanding of humility and sacrifice.’
Stephen believes the portrayal of The Last Supper demonstrates again the growing trend of secularism and humanism replacing traditional beliefs.
But as the Olympics continue, Stephen is hopeful that the closing ceremony might offer a different perspective. ‘The closing ceremony is usually more celebratory, so it will be interesting to see how it contrasts with the opening ceremony,’ he says.
Listen to Stephen’s full interview on 20Twenty below:
