The “feast of the gods”, The Last Supper, The Olympics, and our Christian Response.

A Theological Reflection and Response

The Christian world (at least some) was in a frenzy after the opening ceremony of the Olympics aired an artistic presentation of what was initially presumed to represent the famous picture by Leonardo DaVinci’s Last Supper. Now, right from the start, there are some challenges.

1. What was aired to some was a stripped-down version missing key elements of the representation.

2. Screenshots of the artistic display started to make their rounds on social media alongside the Last Supper image at a viral rate. Many who heard about this were introduced by a reaction post rather than the source.

3. The response by the art director, the producers, and the Olympics PR came out later and at times seemed to lack the clarity that we would have hoped for.

If we were to take a charitable approach to this whole situation taking into account what has been clarified we could say that the opening ceremony was influenced by the painting of Jan Harmensz (dated 1635ish) to depict the Greek god Dionysus and the feasts that were identified with him. The goal was to promote non-violence, unity, and inclusion.

Here is where some critical thinking and careful observation should come into play. For me, it seems clear to be a conflation of two images. The Last Supper and the Feast of the gods. In fact, the art display description of the feast of the god’s painting suggests Jan was playing off of the Last Supper image in his own painting.

The painting of the Feast of the gods by Jan Harmensz is dated 1635ish. The Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci is dated to 1495ish. When you look at those two paintings it seems like Jan was inspired by da Vinci. We can’t be sure, but dating helps with the possibility which reinforces my view that this is a conflation based on a series of conflations.

To be fair, art historians themselves are torn over this. Sasha Grishin, art historian and professor emeritus at the Australian National University said:[1]

“The idea of the central figure with a halo and a group of followers on either side — it’s so typical of ‘The Last Supper’ iconography that to read it in any other way might be a little foolhardy,… The central figure wearing the headdress was reminiscent of High Renaissance-style Last Supper paintings, in which Jesus is depicted with a halo or light around his head,”

To the contrary, Louise Marshall an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Sydney and expert in Renaissance Art said:

 “For one, there were at least 17 drag queens — and more when the blue-painted man, the French actor and singer Philippe Katerine, sang — versus Jesus’s Twelve Apostles.”[2]

With even these views in mind we should be cautious in our approach, but still make an approach and attempt to bring clarity to the confusion. My view is that this was a conflation of two images. And the fact of intentionality or not, should be balanced with the reality of the impact of the matter.

If this was a conflation; it makes even more sense to me.

Because it would be a replacement of Christ at the center with Dionysus (or apollo?) and the ethics of licentious living and no inhibition partying that is portrayed as the key to human flourishing and unity.

The false gods of the Greeks and Romans were not “non-existent” - they represented the fallen angels, the “sons of God” of the OT who became the gods of the nations (Deut 32:8-9; Ps 82; Gen 6). Dionysus is a representation imaging these supernatural beings. Christians, we need to keep our heads on a swivel and learn to exegete our culture with precision.

Dionysus was the Greek god of - wine, merry-making, and INSANITY! How does insanity and ending human violence and promoting peace go together? The Greek hymn to Dionysus depicts him as a ravenous bear and pouncing lion (Ruden, homeric hymns 68-69). In the feasts of Dionysus there was, “drunken behavior coupled with orgies and violent outbursts in which animals were ripped apart by hand.” - How is this supposed to END violence?

As you can see, the very usage of the symbolic representation of Dionysus and his feasts is seriously misguided. As Christians, we should be aware of this deceptive suggestion and see it for what it is, and reject it as a viable solution for the suffering and disunity of this world. It is not.

Moral ambiguity is fueled by tolerance of the immoral.

The feast of Dionysus promotes tolerance of immoral behavior which is not the path for human flourishing. It is the fast path of human corruption and eventual obliteration.

We need to be aware of this so we are not caught as the frog in the pot of water that is boiling and before we know it we are boiled alive. This is why all of this matters.

Now, how should Christians respond?

Some may feel: Anger, Confusion, Frustration, Offense, Sadness, and even Exhaustion.

I sure know I felt all of these the last week. In fact, I have a suspicion that Jesus himself may be feeling some of these emotions. I also have strong confidence that Jesus is also experiencing: Compassion, Mercy, Empathy, Grief, Love, Mourning, and Kindness.

One of these emotions doesn’t necessarily cancel out the others. It just frames them in such a way that brings balance to our desire for justice (a rightly ordered world, and a right response to wrongs) and also mercy.

You see, as shocked as so many of us were when we saw that image; I don’t think “shock” was an emotion Jesus felt. Jesus anticipated this moment 2,000 years before when he climbed on a mountain, and invited his disciples and the crowds to follow him. When he sat at the top of the mountain, he started giving them 9 ways to not just live in the world, but to flourish within it.

Curiously, towards the center is a call for us to “hunger and thirst” for righteousness. And the promise is that we are flourishing because we are filled. Not because we have achieved this righteousness but because we have received the righteousness of Christ. The great danger is convincing ourselves that we want “justice” but in fact we are seeking out vengeance and wrath.

I think this is why the very next statement is a call for mercy.

Mercy is the balancing response to vengeance and wrath. Mercy keeps our hearts soft and suitable to receive the mercy of God and give it to others. All of us who seek righteousness are offenders of the very righteousness we seek. We are just as needy for mercy, which is why it is a good idea to pour it out on others.

It may be the greatest irony out of all of this. The very image was perceived as a mockery, is the very image that reminds us of the overwhelming love of Christ for humanity and the invitation into the suffering and broken life of Christ. I mean, it was at this meal, the last supper; that Jesus reminded us of his broken body through the broken bread, and the spilled blood through the wine.

And let’s not ever forget, there will come a time when Jesus will end the mockery and mercy will be replaced with His Justice. Let us all pray that the Spirit of God would bring conviction and repentance to all those who mocked Christ before that time. And may the Spirit use us, as “peacemakers” of Jesus to do just that. Amen.

Jesus lets us know that the flourishing life of His followers is taking place at this very moment. When we are mocked, insulted, and lied about. I’ve paraphrased Matthew 5:10-12 this way:

[Flourishing] are all of you who cultivate environments of peace amid hardship, persecution, insults, and just the downright ugly side of humanity. You are not alone. You just happen to join the 2,000-year story of God’s people who were misunderstood like you. And you can find a little comfort maybe even in knowing you won’t be the last. Every generation that comes from now till Jesus returns will be in the very same boat. And here’s some good news, There’s enough room for all of us in the great ship of God’s grace which is the only place we can experience peace as the children of God.

Amen.

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[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/sports/olympics-opening-ceremony-last-supper-paris.html

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/sports/olympics-opening-ceremony-last-supper-paris.html