Offended, Really?
By Mark Waters
The opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics had nothing to do with Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. The part of the ceremony under scrutiny depicted Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and joy, in contrast to the decapitation of Marie Antoinette. Thomas Jolly, the design artist of the Dionysian tableau, has clearly stated that it was not inspired by da Vinci’s famous painting. His clarification, combined with a review of art depicting Dionysian celebrations like “The Feast of the Gods” (ca. 1635-1640) by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert, is convincing. I believe him.
Frankly, I would not have been offended if the tableau did depict the Last Supper. Contrary to the current controversy, one can find genuinely Christlike elements in the Olympian expression of the Dionysian feast, especially when paired with the violence symbolized by the severed head of Marie Antoinette. Celebration, contrasted with horrific violence, is at the heart of Eucharistic theology. The body of Christ broken, the blood of Christ shed, the crucifixion paired with the celebration of resurrection, what a tableau! And, back to Paris, this feast occurred among people with whom Jesus would most certainly laugh and break bread. If we think we need to defend God or our faith, the problem is not with our so-called opponents, but with our insufficient views of God and our insecure faith.
When Christians get offended, maybe we should ask ourselves what we can learn from the offense of the gospel. Too often we are like the elder brother grumbling about his prodigal sibling. One might say, “but the prodigal repented.” Note that the father was running to embrace his son and interrupted as his precious boy was attempting to utter his well-rehearsed speech, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you….” The father didn’t seem to care about or even notice his son’s repentance. He cared that his son was home. He threw a party. And we are blessed with celebration once again.
The whole controversy about the Paris opening ceremony is really quite shallow. My reason for giving the emotional energy to write about it is, first, that it unintentionally reminded us of Jesus’ loving transgression of self-righteous self-absorption. Second, I value critical thinking and source-checking over-against reactionary assumptions and conspiracy theories. In this case, a little research would have yielded Dionysus, not da Vinci. As a university professor, if my students can learn this skill, they will be a step ahead of the kind of craziness we have witnessed since the beginning of the Olympics and, more importantly, a step ahead of the conspiracy theories and lies in contemporary American politics.
Let’s take a deep breath, stop taking ourselves too seriously, and give thanks for the miracle of grace!
Dr. Mark Waters is professor of religion in McMurry University’s Department of Religion and Philosophy and Chair of the Division of Humanities, Religion, and Social Sciences
Spirit Of Abilene 
Greely,
Thank you. Your response reminded me that, even when my intentions are positive, I need to remember to consider more carefully what impact my words may have on others.
I hope you are able to come to Homecoming this fall. Have you seen the new campus center yet?
Peace,
Mark
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Mark,
Thank you for the thoughtful reply. Your comments definitely made me rethink some things.
Thank you! Continued Blessings!
Greeley
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Greely, thank you for your response. I respect you and your thoughts. I did not and do not intend disrespect to anyone, and I would certainly never disrespect you. My definition of respect is to value every human being as a unique and infinitely valuable person created in the image of God.
I believe that I can express frustration, sometimes even anger when appropriate, and still completely respect the persons with whom I’m frustrated. Below are some sources of the irritation. The following points may or may not apply to you, Greely. These are not accusations. They are my perceptions of what happened among some Christians related to the Olympic ceremony.
First, I have a long-standing frustration with Christians (I am a Christian as you know) who have a persecution complex. I’m not saying that you personally have a persecution complex, just explaining part of where I’m coming from. It is like a white, cisgender, middle class or above male with advanced degrees taking offense at an African American who points out white privilege. This thinking was one source of my title, “Offended, Really?” We both have family members whom we love unconditionally as well as respect completely and, nonetheless, we may feel or express frustration at something that they continually get offended about. This is not judgment or disrespect.
Second, closely related to the above, when I say that God does not need us to defend God, I’m mainly referring to defensiveness that often grows out of a persecution complex and results in jumping to conclusions. I completely affirm standing up for what is right. But, since the Olympic tableau was about Dionysus, not about the Eucharist, Christianity is not being persecuted. Responses were unfair, uninformed, and appeared to me to be reactionary. (On a side note about defense, as a theologian I reject Christian apologetics. I am convinced that apologetics are more harmful than helpful).
Third, I believe that it hurts the cause of Christ and expresses a need to continue growing spiritually (which we all need) when Christians take themselves too seriously. By this, I essentially mean a continuing stance of defensiveness about our faith. The excessive seriousness often results in taking offence (back to my title). I admit that I’m guilty at times of taking myself too seriously. When I do, I tell myself to loosen up and grow up. I’m applying the same standard to myself that I apply to others. I also recognize that some people may be experiencing pain or circumstances that I am not aware of. I should err in the direction of compassion. But one cannot cover everything when writing a few paragraphs about a public brouhaha. In the article, I focused on uninformed reactions and, then, on a positive understanding of the Lord’s Supper that we can interpret from the tableau despite the fact that it was not about the Lord’s Supper.
Finally, I am an Episcopalian. The Eucharist is the center of our communal life and worship as it is for you. I realize that the following is different than what you expressed, but for me it is ironic to get offended about a work of art with reference to a sacrament, a sacrament that reenacts the horror and violence of crucifixion and the celebration of resurrection. In other words, our offense pales in comparison to the gravity of the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. I can understand someone feeling defensive if they feel the Lord’s Supper is being attacked. In my mind, however, any defensiveness that I might feel about something small (a tableau) in relation to the earth shaking grandeur of the Eucharist means my values are out of whack. It would mean that I’m becoming defensive about something that is very small in the grand scheme of things alongside the ultimate value of the Eucharist. “If” the tableau had been about the Eucharist and I became offended, then the first step should be to ask myself if my values are misaligned for worrying about a tableau in defense of a ritual that represents all the suffering that God and humanity have experienced throughout history. To me, it is like Christians arguing about how to interpret the Bible while ignoring starving children.
Back to respect which is where we began, at no time in writing the article did I think that any human being, including those with whom I was frustrated, is of less value than anyone else. Being created in the image of God means having infinite value. This is respect even when we disagree.
Best regards,
Mark
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As a McMurry alumnus and former staff member, I have much respect for Dr. Waters, but I respectfully disagree with some of his comments.
First, the title of the article seems to pass judgment on those who were offended by the depictions during the Paris 2024 Olympic Ceremonies. When I watched the Opening Ceremonies and initially saw the depiction, I was grieved by what I saw. I listened attentively to the TV commentators to see if they provided any context, but unless I missed it, there was no description that informed viewers this was a depiction of a Dionysian feast. In fact, it took about 24 hours for this explanation to emerge, followed by an apology from the creator. I agree with Dr. Waters that if Mr. Jolly intended this as a Dionysian feast, I will choose to believe him.
However, as a Catholic Christian, the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper is central to our faith, described as the “source and summit of our faith.” Whether one shares our belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist or not, any perceived mockery of it is offensive. In his commentary, Dr. Waters states, “If we think we need to defend God or our faith, the problem is not with our so-called opponents, but with our insufficient views of God and our insecure faith.” My defense of my faith is not rooted in insecurity or insufficiency. In my 50-year faith journey, I have never felt more at peace or secure in my faith. Rather, my faith calls me to speak the truth in love. I am not judging Dr. Waters, but attempting to express my beliefs clearly.
While the depiction is being described as a Dionysian Feast, the events depicted during the ceremony may also contradict other beliefs held by some Christians. Let me be clear: Jesus loves EVERYONE! There is no doubt about that. Respectfully, we can agree to disagree on these matters, but I wanted to provide context for why some may have found the ceremony offensive. Dr. Waters values “critical thinking and source-checking over-against reactionary assumptions and conspiracy theories.” He is correct that further research might have prevented initial judgments. On the other hand, I respectfully ask that those who expressed offense at what they viewed are not dismissed as “shallow” without an understanding of the context of their beliefs as well.
Respectfully,
Greeley Myers, Ed.D.
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Well said. Thanks.
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