Understanding 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony of Debauchery & Perversion

By now you've heard about the outrage and transgression of the Paris Olympics organizers to open the 2024 Games with a sketch they say was meant to "trigger a reflection", and to have as strong a message as possible about "community tolerance". They provoked a strong response, that's for sure. I just don't think it's the tribute they were hoping for. And before you come to a conclusion about what you think I'm going to say, please read the entire post. 

Millions of Christians took offense [rightfully so] at what looked to be a parody of Leonardo de Vinci's famous painting, The Last Supper. And for sure, they situated a woman at the center of their table, appearing with a semblance of the "halo of glory" that often appears in paintings of Christ, representing His holiness and divinity. And yes, she is accompanied by an array of followers who are celebrating in stances of adoration, as they align to her right and left, just like Leonardo's painting. While this "skit" certainly insinuates a synchronicity with Jesus and His disciples at The Last Supper and the worship of a God-like figure, there is more that Christians need to understand about the more targeted message of debauchery and perversion.

A more accurate explanation of this "artistic expression" is that it is a celebration of the ancient worship of the "little g" god of wine, abandon, and revelry, known as Bacchus, or Dionysus. There are many versions of the Dionysus legend, but Paris 2024 obviously decided to focus on his lascivious and salacious character. By all mythological accounts, Dionysus sounds like he was a party hound deluxe. By the way, he's the naked man reclining in the middle of the stage being "served up" to a worldwide audience who tuned in to what they were hoping was going to be a beautiful observance of the beauty and history of Paris. Instead, they were treated to a big helping portion of deviance, degeneracy, and wickedness. But let's dive deeper into Satan's influence in this presentation.

According to Greek mythology, Dionysus is seen as "the protector of those who do not belong to conventional society and thus symbolizes everything that is chaotic, dangerous and unexpected, everything which escapes human reason and which can only be attributed to the unforeseeable action of the gods". [That's certainly an apt description of the trans movement, child seduction, and drag queen obsession running rampant in sections of our culture]. But that's not all Dionysus worship is about! Those who partake of his mysteries are possessed and empowered by the god himself. His cult is also a "cult of the souls"; his female followers feed the dead through blood-offerings, and he acts as a divine communicant between the living and the dead. I'm not saying that is what was depicted in the Opening Ceremony skit, but one must know the full identity of anything we make an idol. Starting to get a picture of the deceptive and "benign" image presented at the Olympics? Well, let me take you a little farther.

In 410 B.C., the Greek dramatist, Euripides, proclaimed the greatness of Dionysus in his play The Bacchantes (who were members of a religious cult that swept over Greece in the 600s B.C., a period of social and political upheaval). Euripides portrayed Dionysus as having "put off the god and taken human shape". In the play, Dionysus boasts that he has fallen to earth, sent by "the one who will loose me" to do his evil work. Sound like anybody mentioned in the Bible?

The play accurately depicted the real-life followers of Dionysus, who had no love for moral guidelines or laws of the conventional world. [And as we sit here in 2024, one of Solomon's famous quotes comes to mind -- "there's nothing new under the sun"]. The followers of Dionysus believe he had been sent to help them gain a spiritual state of ecstasy through their rituals. And just what were those acts of worship? On the conservative side, women migrated in frenzied hillside groups, dressed in fawn skins accompanied by screaming, music, dancing, and licentious behavior. There are far more gruesome aspects and rituals of this cult, which are too depraved to recount here.   

But it is important to understand that "Dionysian Mysteries" or "Magic" were, in one sense, a ritual of Ancient Greece and Rome which used intoxicants and other trance-inducing techniques (like dance and music) to remove inhibitions and social constraints, liberating the individual to return to a natural state. The elaborate (and debauched) rituals initiating people into this cult included the Invocation of Dionysus, which gives you a clear picture of the nature of this religious-like veneration: I call upon loud-roaring and revelling Dionysus, primeval, double-natured, thrice-born, Bacchic lord, wild, ineffable, secretive, two-horned and two-shaped, Ivy-covered, bull-faced, warlike, howling, pure, You take raw flesh, you have feasts, wrapt in foliage, decked with grape clusters...". We certainly see the feast-like atmosphere surrounding the Bacchic lord in the center of that stage, wrapt in foliage and decked with grape clusters.

But what I urge those who were rightly offended by this scandalous spectacle in Paris to understand, is the importance of seeing beyond the obvious images meant to shock and disturb. The organizers vehemently claim that their purpose was to "celebrate community tolerance" by including everyone and presenting a picture of diversity. But, to me, it is curious that their focus on tolerance, inclusion, and diversity was represented exclusively by drag queens, a transgender model, exposed male genitalia, a naked singer transformed into Dionysus ... and oh, yeah, children cavorting through the celebrants. While they may convince themselves they are celebrating diversity and the inclusion of society's outcasts, they are really serving Satan's plan of seducing children into his diabolical plan to disrupt God's design for humanity. 

It is really no different than the Drag Queen Story Hours that are cropping up in our libraries -- this was just done in a more flamboyant manner and on a global stage. Whether it is 600 B.C. or 2024 A.D., it should be obvious to those who are spiritually awake and in a genuine relationship with God Almighty, that the spirit of Dionysus (mentioned in Acts 17:34) has been set loose by the Evil One to do his evil work. In the account in Acts, the Apostle Paul delivers a man named Dionysus from this cult and converts him to faith in Jesus. His name is significant because to be named Dionysus meant that his parents had been followers of the demonic god of the same name and had predestined their child to the same perversion, or the man was under the spell of magic arm bands (known as kestatots) that kept his soul imprisoned in this cult. Either way, he needed Jesus.

It is obvious, to me at least, that Satan used this Opening Ceremony to introduce his influence to bring mankind to the dark side. And our question becomes how do we fight this influence? I'm not here to tell you what you must do... you need to take that to the Lord and ask what He would have you do. And be prepared for pushback from those who will say they are tired of Christians trying to shove their religion down others' throats. But isn't that exactly what the Opening Ceremony was doing? The Enemy has done a good job of dividing us along moral grounds. So, it is incumbent upon us to know exactly where we stand -- it's not the time to remain lukewarm and try to walk the center line. I know there are those who will take to Social Media to express their outrage and offense over the open mockery of God. And there are even Christians who will compromise with the culture, so as to appear tolerant and loving, deciding to "live and let live". [They are the "lukewarm"]. 

But I hope we will all pray and choose to share the Gospel with all people, even those who are deluded and blinded to the hidden demonic agenda on display at the Olympics. The truth is that God does love each and every one of us, and desires that no one be lost. He wants a personal relationship with everyone. And that includes those on that stage that night! But He has holy and righteous standards that He expects us to uphold, and if anything is designed to harm innocent children, then it will not and cannot glorify Him, and Him only. As for me, I will pray and take a stand by battling in the spiritual realms to deconstruct and destroy these perverse strongholds that have taken root in our culture and the world. I know the battle is the Lord's and I know He will win. But I will fight alongside Him to save the minds, bodies, souls and spirits of the children. 

Never forget -- Satan's perpetual theme is Death. We must not become distracted by Lucifer's intelligence and seductive allure. We must be mindful to guard ourselves against the mania that takes our eyes off our only Source of Life. If we belong to the Lord, we don't have to fear Satan's demonic influence in our culture. And we can get in the fight to save our children and the Lord's agenda! Let His power, strength and authority be manifested through us! And please, Lord ... Thy Kingdom Come on earth as it is in Heaven!

Jude 1:4      For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation; ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom, and deny our only Master and lord, Jesus Christ.  

The "Stronger Men Conference" and the Blasphemy towards God

I had intended to write on another subject for today's post, but I will defer that subject to another day. An ugly controversy has arisen in the Body of Christ, and I cannot remain silent on it. I don't want to belabor the points why it is important for me to speak out, so here is my take on the latest public disagreement among Christians.

By now, I'm sure you're aware that the internet has blown up over the opening act of the 2024 "Stronger Men's Conference" hosted by James River Church and Lead Pastor John Lindell. The controversy arises from the comments delivered by Pastor Mark Driscoll, himself a controversial figure in the Christian community, and the subsequent reproach delivered by Pastor Lindell. 

This post does not seek to condemn either Pastor Lindell nor Pastor Driscoll for what either said. I will not judge them in their roles as Pastors, whether in the present or the past. That, I leave to God. That is not what I seek to address. Rather, as a Believer who honors the Holiness of our God, I want to comment on what I see as the dishonor and perverted irreverence towards God during the performance that opened the Conference. 

First, let me say that in Biblical terms, dishonor means "to treat shamefully" or "insult". Perversion refers to any form of human behavior which deviates from what is considered to be normal; usually sexual behaviors that are considered particularly abnormal, repulsive or obsessive. Irreverence points to a lack of respect; and in regards to the human condition, is a product of ignorance which leads to disobedience.  

So, let's jump right into the controversy. The very first thing that starts off this "Stronger Men Conference" is a male stripper performing an erotic act on a stripper pole, which includes licking and swallowing a sword. Now, since the stated purpose of this annual event [hosted by James River Church] is "to inspire and equip men to live out God's vision for manhood to be the husbands, fathers, and leaders God has called them to be", I must say I fail to see any connection to the supposed objective of the Conference, nor any Godly reason for this act of perversion. 

How does inviting the spirit of Perversion to a men's conference "inspire and equip men to live out God's vision for manhood"??? Who thought this was a good idea and a way to honor God? And don't tell me that the leaders of this conference had no idea who this "star of the show" was! Now, you can go online and find all kinds of testimonies saying this man has repented of his errant days as a gay male stripper and he has come to the Lord. Maybe that's true and I pray that Jesus has changed his heart. Yet, here he is, stripping on a pole in front of other men! That is called seduction! And Romans 1:24 says, Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin]...

As disturbing as this part of the controversy is, that's not what has everyone in an uproar on social media. There were people who got up and walked out on that opening presentation, but it was what happened the next morning that has stirred up a heated debate among Christians. Pastor Mark Driscoll gets up to speak, telling the crowd that he's been up since early in the morning praying because his heart was burdened for those in attendance. 

He stated that his remarks were in no way a rebuke or a correction, but rather an observation ... "Before the Word of God was opened, there was a platform -- it was a high place. On the platform was an Asherah pole; the same thing used in a strip club for women who have the Jezebel spirit to seduce men. In front of that was a man who ripped his shirt off [like a woman does] in front of a pole at a strip club". Further pictures of the demonstration show the man ascending the pole and then descending into a pose like a man crucified upside down. I can see why Pastor Driscoll's heart was burdened. But as he prepares to continue speaking, Pastor John Lindell yells from the crowd "This is out of line" a couple of times. And Pastor Driscoll concedes and says, "OK, Pastor, I will receive that". Lindell then yells, "You're done", and Driscoll leaves the stage.

As if the performance, the subsequence observation by Driscoll, and the termination of his remarks by Lindell are not enough, the aftermath of this embarrassing event now has "the Church" arguing whether Driscoll followed the proper protocol for order in the Church. Citing Matthew 18, Lindell said Driscoll should have come to him privately if he disagreed about anything being done at the Conference. That is the argument for putting the focus on Mark Driscoll's sin, but the issue of the sin against God's honor is not addressed!

In addition, Matthew 18 is all about sins of personal offense, and Mark Driscoll clearly stated that he was not rebuking or  correcting anyone, but rather calling out the release of a spirit of Jezebel. I would add to that the spirits of seduction and perversion! To be honest, I am also discouraged by all the comments that claim the performer is now a born-again Christian, who is attending a church. My reply to that is the fact that he is still displaying his old sins [and at a Christian conference] is no evidence of any fruit of his conversion.

And to those who claim that Pastor Lindell is a righteous and pure man of God, and the appearance of the strip act was "an oversight" by the planning committee, I am left wondering why the good Pastor, himself, didn't stand up and stop the act the minute it began. Why did it take until the next day before anyone spoke up, and then when they did, why did Lindell resort to chastisement and shut the criticism down? 

By now, you are well aware of what I think about this controversy. It is just further confirmation [for me] that much of the Church has lost its reverence for the holiness of our faith, and it deeply saddens me. The fact that thousands of men at this conference -- some with their wives and young sons in attendance -- were subjected to this aberration of manhood, shows us just how far the Church has fallen into a distorted practice of their faith. 

Ephesians 5:3 says, But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith. My question to the leaders of this conference is this: How can you justify your opening act in light of this Scripture? How does that performance inspire or equip Godly men?

And as for Pastor Lindell's use of Matthew 18 to justify his handling of Mark Driscoll, I'd like him to respond to a verse that a good friend of mine pointed out to me: As for those [elders] who continue in sin, reprimand them in the presence of all [the congregation], so that the rest will be warned (1 Timothy 5:20). Again, I am not willing to condemn Pastor Lindell as overtly sinning in this situation, because I do not have all the information of his involvement in the planning of this event. But I can call the performance out as sin against our Holy God. 

As a part of the lineup of speakers, did Mark Driscoll handle this situation in the proper manner? Perhaps not. Did John Lindell feel "called out" and his leadership questioned? I'm sure he did. But was anyone involved in this conference thinking about how God felt? Do you think He was offended? Does anyone think He approves of this perversion as a good way to build "stronger men"? And if you don't want to go as far as to call the opening performance perversion, then perhaps you should go back and read Ephesians 5:3 again. As the song says, "I saw Satan laughing with delight."

It is time that real men of God stand up and reclaim their identity as righteous men. The spirit of perversion has invaded our land and the Church has not risen up to fight this spiritual battle! We are seeing too much carnality infiltrating, not only society, but our churches and our church leaders. God will not be mocked, nor will He allow Himself to be disgraced or disrespected! There is a limit to His patience for us to clean up the Church. Before long, God is going to gather His wheat into His barn, and then He will burn the chaff. Remember, He is a consuming fire! Pray for the Church to repent for agreement with perversion like this conference portrayed!

1 Peter 4:17      For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the Gospel of God?