Now that is some headline. Like those by-gone book titles that were more like the length of a modern Preface.
I would never have perceived, this would be the first “live” piece, once this platform was given online oxygen. It was certainly not my plan before today. But what else can I say, but here we are.
Much like life, which happens in real time in case you’re still deliberating, this piece will follow form, as I figuratively scribble words together on the day of my son’s 14th birthday. And there is a party, so I must make haste. When coupled with a lack of usual sleep-routine, this makes me presently more like a Chicago Bear, with the head in the plethora-condition of the fridge, Mr Perry. This reminds of a collector’s card my parents brought home from their travels of Mike Singletary. An extra bit of personal information, as we begin.
Don’t worry, I will keep this more impersonally cordial.
In this already-referenced-real time, the subsequent image out of, The Guardian, appeared on a social media timeline. You know the marketers just pine for a response, and this image will likely divide; garnering the all-important return, and probably from you-know-who. I haven’t checked, so I may already be so last year, in the world of social media sense.
Of course, Nike don’t really or completely believe in the idea of this declared sentiment. Just conceive of putting a picture representative of Jesus-is-the-only-Saviour-belief behind these words. It’s fine if you believe this privately, but don’t conceive about an advertising campaign including. Surely that would court a litigious litany as crying foul, or some other sporting metaphor for the abundantly wrong.
Paradoxically, to claim that Nike should be okay is a rather absurd expectation today anyway; where a certain truth that divides is rarely seen, but sometimes vaguely heard from those cultural dinosaurs. The strength of this campaign is that it buys into the popular modern ethic where authentic self-expression and self-actualisation is the flourishing point of life; where “to thine own self be true”, militates supersonic. Unless, of course, popular culture disagrees with your ideas, then, thou shall not pass. Sounds intolerant, which just goes to show how you don’t get it.
While this rabbit trail is a little beside my point in this piece, it challenges every purveyor to chew and spit before they swallow. On that note of pure hygiene, let me continue.
More than likely, your passing glimpse already formed on this campaign celebrating 30 years of charging-you-outrageously-more-for-their-products-because-of-a-superstar-endorsing-label from the “Just Did Its.” Such is the modern mediated saturation point. This likely means I’ve already separated the reading fraternity like the most messy divorce; to the either side of what has become a protracted debate. Before you think I’m taking too much of a dig, I can easily be infatuated with a bulging shoe collection. Need. More. Cash. You may not have expected that angle on the purported dig.
Speaking into the already-long-winded discussion involving Kaepernick is difficult, especially as I want to speak into both sides; in light of the Gospel prerogative and prerequisite for the Christian. This is a key contextualising statement, which is why I italicise for impact. So pwetty.
Therefore, my hot-take starts more wide-lensed, categorically affirming debates around race are mandated for any culture, because as human history all-too-readily confirms, the human proclivity to idolise one’s own skin tone and to be blind toward how this sleeps through general culture, is more normative than our hubris will want to admit. We can be far too comfortable when our exterior dominates the normative cultural thought patterns. Our blindness is real. True reconciliation is not easy. And it is not found with the unmotivated, nor in the fleeting. We will only persist if we are motivated through a greater substance, and I shall add, when in and through the Son.
With what I hope is more than sentiment, let me respond from my geographical distance with something particular about this general anthem discussion. I hope the following type of conversation morphs toward a critical mass in the Christian. It may already have. I have not pursued this intent online. This point will ground, and then peak into one main point of my piece, which is about the locational strength of patriotism to our earthly Caesar, in light of our all-consuming prioritised Lord, Jesus Christ?!
An easy answer in theory. Now to work it through.
I will answer through the context of this on-going conversation, which can appear more frozen-food-fight in real time, and which is televised, Marshall. The larger problem this debate may prove surrounds the place of the national anthem as cultural priority because of national identity. This justifies why this content-defining-patriotism has become a litmus test of good citizenry. Both sides have actually jumped onto the stage of assumption, which is why this has become the platform of choice to joust and challenge.
I want to say this general focus should be a ringing challenge in the any-who-too-quickly-endorse-displays-of-public-affection, which can appear as too much like kissing this Caesar’s ring. If this type of patriotic display becomes ultimate, it binds the Christian’s conscience; limits their ability to speak into the situation of race with Gospel-led-objectivity; while confirming a functional identity that can be idolatrously controlling.
The fact that the NFL has taken such a hit on their bottom-line, indicates general Joe Public between the shining seas may have a patriotic view of nation beyond the common good. This then pulls into a-good-becoming-a-god conversation.
It is easy to point the finger, and every nation under the Sun can easily demand more than we should be willing as Christians. Therefore, I ask, would it annoy the-Kiwi-in-me if others starting producing some physical commentary when our national anthem was played in such a public manner?
This is a good question to consider because it shows the cultural differences and challenges inside various nations, which we each must discern, to ask the right questions seeking answers. New Zealand has a more general relative lack of overt patriotism. We do not have a designated required physical pose on such occasions when, God of Nations, is performed. There is really no required litmus test for national orthodoxy at such times, which conversely means, those who want to make a statement haven’t yet considered this as a viable opportunity. Given our global village, there may come a time when this develops. But to be honest, this cultural challenge more relates to how Kiwis live in light of the All Blacks.
The nation in my neck of the woods, which has more of this connection, is South Africa. In my rugby journey I have interacted with the Republic. I remember one heck of hullaballoo when an artist bungled the words of Nkosi Sikeleli’ iAfrika. It was as if it was personal. And it was. He felt compelled to offer the most public mea culpa for what seemed like a human mistake, even offering another recorded version to prove his contrition, and national competence. This whole context was fascinating to observe as an outsider.
As Christians, we should not be dismissive or derisive of our earthly homes. There is nothing wrong with rightly loving our locales. I know I do. Although there should be a fair amount of capital placed on the content of this “love” term. Too often, depending where one resides, it appears the politics of identity quickly determines the approach on such subjects as Kaepernick, which only falsely binds and blinds.
This piece is not intended as a debate around the wisdom or substance of his journey, but a general reminder that the Christian has one over-arching loyalty, and when this becomes impinged upon, a faithful witness can easily become subverted by another lesser cause or god. If so, this loses it’s true Gospel orbit, integration, and application.
Therefore, any debate around kneeling for the anthem can actually be a ruse for the Christian. This context should be prodding about questions relating to how one appropriately flourishes as a citizen of two locations with differing configurations. While the earthly provides a real pass; in the fullness of time, this is merely a visitor’s, with an ultimately fading loyalty that begins in the Gospel now. Of course, the other is the cosmically consequential and eternal, which must be the only emblem tattooed on one’s internal beating insignia, thereby leading loyalties; even as the other should be lived with true love for the providential proximity of one’s earthly neighbour.
This means when I see this advertising campaign, I want to start a different conversation.
I realise this is not always easy when these tend to quickly descend inside America, appearing binary and artificially abridged; where the only answers allowed become a superficially demanded, either/or, recruiting you to a cause that can even envelope the Highest Office. The Gospel-leading Christian must not become domesticated by such short-sighted obscurantism. We must conceive through the Gospel, identifying the real issues and subjects.
Jesus is Lord is more than a Sunday morning catch-cry. It should absolve any and all. Even on a Sunday Night when there is some Football.
Love Just Must.
This is another one of those RELOVUTIONARY lines.
For the Fame of His Name
*******
Image Credit: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/03/colin-kaepernick-nike-just-do-it-campaign-nfl.