A Christian's Response to JLo's Superbowl Performance
Childhood Memories
I remember that night vividly in 1999 in the back seat of my parent’s car with my best friend on the way to our Jr. High dance at Great Skate. The music was cranked as loud as it could go and my BFF and I were singing “Waiting for Tonight” and “If You Had My Love” by Jennifer Lopez at the top of our lungs. These were the days before she was commonly referred to as “J-Lo.” She was a pop icon and we adored her!
We were just a couple of pre teens and this was the popular chart-topping music of our time. At that age, one doesn’t really analyze the message behind the lyrics or have the maturity to discern their appropriateness. We were impressionable young girls that looked up to this mega pop star.
Here we are, 20 years later and the 90’s are resurfacing in popularity as the 80’s once did in my adolescence. Last night as JLo took the stage for the Superbowl halftime show and began singing the songs of my past, my first reaction was fond nostalgic memories. But it didn’t take more than 6 seconds for my jaw to drop in shock at just how racy, raunchy and risqué the performance was. I couldn’t help but gasp as my eyes nearly bulged out of my head watching dancers on stripper poles and the awkwardly thin piece of material barely covering her downstairs lady parts as she dipped low with legs wide open as the camera zoomed in. Yikes.
Then came the aerial shot of the stage fluorescently lit up with the feminist symbol. Really? This is her best effort to model healthy femininity, self-respect and an example for young girls to honor their value and worth? To showcase their God-given talent and passion without succumbing to the standard of over-sexualization?
Just then the song switched and the cameras featured JLo’s 11-year-old daughter, Emme leading the song “Let’s Get Loud” along with a children’s choir. Oh how sweet, right? JLo is perhaps attempting to give us a reprieve from her striptease by empowering a young generation to sing a fun song and highlighting intergenerational and cross-cultural unity. Personally, I wasn’t impressed. It wasn’t a show for kids.
I can’t say I was “shocked” at the performance. Historically, Superbowl halftime shows are known for indecency and controversy. I am not ignorant. I am fully aware that “sex sells”. But with 102 MILLION viewers, why isn’t there more thoughtful consideration to the variety of audience? I happened to be home alone as I watched. I cannot imagine the embarrassment and disgust I would have felt had I been in the room with my parents, grandparents, husband or children.
The whole time I watched, I just kept asking “Whyyyy??? Whyyyyyy JLo???” She has enough raw talent and pure beauty and I want to believe a good enough heart to care for people. Why she permitted and participated in such a grotesque show is just baffling to me.
After the big win, I, like many of you, spent a bit of time scrolling Instagram and came upon some interesting comment threads of some prominent Christian Church leaders’ feeds. Most people either said they shut it off and didn’t watch the show and those who did nearly unanimously agreed that it was grossly inappropriate. There were just a few that shared their thoughts claiming “If you got it, flaunt it” and saw nothing inappropriate about the performance. Then comes the internet the next day…many people are praising. It’s likely been a hot topic of conversation in nearly every school and workplace.
Some Christians are grieved and angry. Why?
Because we have a different set of core values. Because we value purity. Because we want better examples for our children. Because God has placed such high value on women and their worth. Because as women we want to be seen as more than sex symbols. Because biblical femininity has been under assault, as has masculinity. Because families are being torn apart by sexual impulses, lust, adulterous affairs and porn addictions. Because human slavery is still a real issue we aim to put an end to sex trafficking.. Because we’re intrinsically protective. Because we want Heaven to invade earth and all the evil forces masquerading around as angels of light to flee forever. Because we want to see families healthy, unified and flourishing. Because conservative Christian values continually get attacked. Because The Church has become dormant and afraid to engage with cultural hot topics to avoid “persecution.” Because…because….because…we can all probably come up with a million reasons this kind of thing doesn’t sit right with us.
How do we respond?
Many Christ-followers will do what they’ve been conditioned to do: stay silent. Others will do what they’re COMMISSIONED to do, partner with Christ as a representative of Heaven, sharing a message of love, hope. grace and mercy.
Regardless of where you stand on the spectrum of “I see nothing wrong here” or “I won’t stand for this” I think it would be good to shift our focus from the problem to prayer. I’m not here to tell anyone what to think or believe, I just feel a responsibility to offer some points to ponder in the presence of the Prince of Peace, Jesus:
Things to consider:
JLo and Shakira are known for performances like these, it shouldn’t be such a surprise.
In the last days, evil will be called good and good will be called evil. (Isaiah 5:20/2 Timothy 3: 1-17 NIV)
We are responsible for guarding our hearts, minds and eyes. When we take personal responsibility and exercise self control, we can make the powerful decision not to allow that kind of “entertainment” to contaminate our homes and hearts.
Instead of being all caught up in our feelings about the matter, let’s submit our feelings to the feet Jesus and prayerfully ask what His thoughts are and how we can partner with Him for His glory?
Perhaps this is a blessed opportunity to engaged in healthy Kingdom-building, legacy-leaving conversations with your family about identity, worth, value, conduct, honor, self control, mercy…you know the teachings of Jesus.
Getting into senseless debates on social media is silly. “Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.” -2 Timothy 2:23
Maybe this is a good opportunity to start a Bible study with family, friends, colleagues?
As Real Talk Kim would say, “Take it to the THRONE before you take it to the phone!”
It’s permissible to have righteous anger and grieve over what grieves Jesus…it’s not okay to be mean and nasty.
We don’t fire with fire. We come in the opposite Spirit. We are bringers of Peace, restoration, reconciliation, patience, grace and forgiveness.
We can take action at the polls. What better time than now than to stand with those who advocate for conservative Christian values, that will fight for our freedom to express our faith, who will lead our cities and countries with biblical leadership principles?