Vague gospel messages result in empty pews
This year, the “He Gets Us” campaign made a bold move by investing a staggering $17.5 million in two Super Bowl ads as part of their billion-dollar ad campaign. One of the commercials showcased a powerful message about loving thy neighbor, while the other depicted Christians washing the feet of their ideological opponents. These ads aimed to convey that Jesus didn’t teach hate, but rather, he taught humility and love.
However, while the campaign focused on outreach and inclusivity, it may have missed the mark by prioritizing “us” over Christ. This watered-down version of Christianity could ultimately lead to a dying church.
The Cult of Self-Adoration
Instead of proclaiming the powerful message of Jesus’s death and resurrection, redeeming creation and calling all creatures to live under his lordship, these ads focus on an undiscriminating love for humanity. This perpetuates our society’s obsession with self-adoration.
While Jesus did teach us to love one another, he also emphasized repentance and self-sacrifice. The “He Gets Us” feet washing ad ignores important context and twists Jesus’s call for transformation into an acceptance of cultural standards.
Jesus didn’t wash everyone’s feet during his ministry. He humbly cleansed the feet of his disciples, those who had chosen to follow him. This act symbolized spiritual cleansing through repentance and belief in him.
The issue with these ads is not their use of social justice imagery, but rather their prioritization of outreach over the Gospel message. Christianity is about acknowledging Jesus as Lord and surrendering to his authority.
While Christians are called to love sinners, true love involves challenging others to turn away from sin and embrace a life in Christ. Offering cheap grace by kneeling before sins is not genuine love.
A Neutered Gospel, An Empty Church
Furthermore, this watered-down Gospel fails to attract people to the church, contributing to the decline of Christianity in America. Mainline Protestant churches, in particular, have been hit hard by this decline due to their focus on aligning with culture rather than Christ.
On the other hand, Christian traditions that challenge the dominant progressive culture, such as Pentecostals and Traditional Latin Mass Catholics, have experienced growth. These traditions offer something that the culture can’t provide: the call to embody the image of Christ.
The Gospel may be offensive to the world, but that’s nothing for Christians to be ashamed of. It’s something to celebrate. The radical love of Christ is what sets Christianity apart and fulfills our deepest longings.
Instead of conforming Christ to fit the culture, Christians should challenge the culture to reflect Christ. This means inviting people to a life of holiness, rather than compromising in the face of sin.
rnrn
How does the emphasis on inclusivity in the “He Gets Us” campaign risk diluting the core message of Christianity and Jesus’ exclusivity as the only way to the Father?
L cleansing and submission to his authority. It wasn’t a random act of kindness for strangers, but rather a demonstration of his leadership and the disciples’ willingness to serve and follow him.
By portraying Christians washing the feet of their ideological opponents, the ad blurs the lines between right and wrong, suggesting that all beliefs and actions are equally valid and deserving of love and acceptance. While it is important to show love and respect to others, we must also recognize the truth and stand firm in our faith.
Furthermore, the “He Gets Us” campaign’s emphasis on inclusivity and reaching out to all may inadvertently minimize the exclusivity of following Christ. Jesus himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Christianity is built on the belief in Jesus as the one and only Savior. By prioritizing inclusivity over Christ’s exclusivity, the campaign risks diluting the core message of Christianity.
The campaign’s focus on “us” and appealing to a broad audience may also contribute to the growing trend of consumer Christianity. In our consumer-driven society, where individual preferences and desires often dictate our choices, it is easy for faith to become just another commodity that caters to our needs and preferences. This consumerist view of faith undermines the true essence of Christianity, which calls for self-denial and surrender to God’s will.
To be clear, it is commendable that the “He Gets Us” campaign aims to spread a positive and inclusive message. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between embracing diversity and upholding the unique teachings and principles of Christianity. Emphasizing the love of Christ should not come at the expense of downplaying the need for repentance, transformation, and a personal relationship with God.
In conclusion, the “He Gets Us” campaign’s massive investment in Super Bowl ads demonstrates a bold attempt to share a message of love and inclusivity. However, the campaign’s approach may unintentionally water down the core teachings of Christianity and lead to a superficial understanding of the faith. It is crucial to prioritize Christ’s message over the desire to appeal to a broad audience and to uphold the truth of the Gospel even in an increasingly secular world.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...