Super Bowl LX
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions after defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. The game itself was a defensive struggle for the first three quarters, as neither team scored a touchdown until the final quarter. The Most Valuable Player was awarded to Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 135 yards and added another 26 yards in receiving.
Outside of the game, the halftime show received a disproportionate amount of attention and controversy. The official halftime show was performed by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, while an alternative show headlined by Kid Rock was streamed online. A number of public officials—including President Donald Trump—and millions on social media chimed in to express a preference for one performance or the other, and to opine about the perceived political messages within the performances.
Analysis and eternal perspective: Sports are certainly not the most important thing in life (I say that as a big sports fan), but they often provide a very intriguing window into broader culture and the state of society. For example, given the game is regularly the most-viewed television event of the year in the United States, advertisers flock—and pay heavily—to secure a 30 or 60-second slot to market their product or brand. Because of this, if you watch the game in a group, when the game goes to a commercial, you can see the football fans turn away to refill their plate or stretch their legs while the interest of non-football fans piques in order to catch the latest creative commercial.
The halftime show—along with nearly everything else—has also become increasingly controversial in recent years. This year, however, added a layer to that controversy as a prominent “alternative” show was planned to compete with official show. There are at least a few related items worthy of our consideration:
1) We should be mindful and conscientious about everything we watch (Pr. 119:37 warns us to refrain from taking in that which is harmful and Philip. 4:8 encourages us to focus on things that are praiseworthy). This careful analysis should be applied to every Super Bowl, halftime show, or any other programming.
2) It is unhealthy for a nation, a community, or a culture to be so reflexively divided (Matt. 12:22-28 says that a kingdom or a city divided against itself will not stand). As Jesus followers, we are instructed to seek out as much peace with our neighbors as is possible (Rom. 12:18). While this passage clearly acknowledges it won’t always be possible, it is hard to argue the current knee-jerk preference for controversy is meeting the mandate to make every effort to live at peace.
3) When it is necessary to chart an alternate way (and it most certainly will be at times), we have a sober responsibility for that path to reflect the character of the loving God. This can feel like a lonely path, as it looks quite different than popular culture (1 Pet. 2:9 calls it “peculiar”).
Let’s land back on Philippians 4:8. When was the last time you left an entertainment event feeling lighter? I can almost guarantee it was because the content of that event was some combination of true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy!