The Paris Olympics,
Dionysus, and C. S. Lewis

By Mary E. Stephens
Aug. 2024

There was a tremendous flap this year over the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The tableau that riled up a lot of people will live in infamy to decent, God-fearing people.

The curious thing about it to me was that a number of professing Christians tried to defend or excuse it based on the painting "The Feast of the Gods" by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert. As time moved along and information was presented, it was brought out by some that this painting was also a degraded imitation of a version of "The Last Supper" by Leonardo DaVinci. As an artist and graphics designer myself, I only needed to see a comparison of the two paintings and the photograph of the infamous tableau to clearly see which one the French artist was using as his inspiration. Other details that came to light tended to confirm this, although it was denied by the French artist and Olympic opening ceremonies committee after the fact.

Consequently, I will continue to refer to this tableau as a mockery of Christ and the last supper from this point on. Yes, the original painting was painted by a Roman Catholic. Yes, it was a very poor representation of that actual event. It is not a painting that I would want in my home. However, it is meant to be a respectful portrayal of that event, so when wicked people make a point of turning into an exultation of sex perversion and the worship of Dionysus, it is an attack on the person of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for our atonement - as represented in the last supper.

But...

There are several reasons that I'm unimpressed with all the fervor over this wicked tableau.

The Olympics In France

First of all, the Olympics themselves have a sketchy history. The original Olympic games were a sort of sports festival that was both athletic and religious, and the date was selected based on the first full moon after the summer solstice. They were held at the temple of Zeus in Olympia, Greece. Ritual sacrifices to the heathen gods Zeus and Pelops were an important part of the event. This timeframe is said to be from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. [See source.]

So, the Olympics are based solidly on an ancient heathen event and the worship of false gods.

Secondly, France prides itself on being an open society which not only accepts, but openly embraces many religions and sinful lifestyles. They are proud of their freedoms and present form of government, which sadly has a strong connection to the French Revolution and its infamous and blood bathed Reign of Terror. The history of France is fraught with hatred for God and righteousness. It should not have come as a big shock that there would be blasphemy in their opening ceremonies, especially at this juncture in history when almost nothing truly holy is held with any respect by the general population of the Western world.

Furthermore, Paris is a city with a long history of debauchery and sinful indulgence. "Free love," luxurious excesses of all sorts, and rebellion against decency have been an integral part of its history. Take, for example, the Moulin Rouge which I have seen repeatedly represented as one of "the places to go" when visiting Paris. Personally, I don't find it all that shocking that they would consider that debauched and rude tableau in the opening ceremonies to be completely representative of their "great" city. I only wonder that there hasn't been more of that type of thing coming from there. Perhaps there has, and we just haven't been seeing it.

Luke 6:44-45 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Dionysus

There was a blue man, almost completely naked, lowered into the tableau at the opening ceremonies in Paris at some point. There is a some confusion as to who exactly he is supposed to represent, although it is generally accepted that it is meant to be Dionysus. The actor that played the role reportedly claimed himself that he was representing Dionysus. In my own research into the subject I found that blue is not a color that is generally used for Dionysus. It is, however, the color of the Hindu god Vishnu, and I found some images of Vishnu with wreathes of roses that were very reminiscent of the blue man in the Olympic tableau. Why this would be done is beyond me, except that the idea was inclusiveness, and basically "anything goes" once a group of people fully commit themselves to mock Jesus Christ. The Dionysus of the tableau, contrary to some people's opinions, does not resemble  the Dionysus of the painting "The Feast of the Gods," for whatever it's worth.

Again there was a strange point of view that was commented upon by some. Apparently, there are people who actually believe that when Paul wrote about the last supper in 1 Corinthians 11, he was somehow making a connection to the feast of Dionysus (or Bacchus), with which they would have been familiar. This is, of course, heretical.

The Lord's Supper, as we know and practice it, is a remodeling of the Jewish Passover. The Apostle Paul specifically refers to the night Jesus was betrayed in 1 Corinthians 11:23, For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

We are told exactly what it is in Luke 22:14-16, And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

I am inclined to think that the people who made it something else were offended by the Jewish connection and preferred that it be connected with a pagan religion instead for their own twisted reasons. The feast of Dionysus was a counterfeit of God's Passover feast, created by Satan to entice people into that pagan religion. He is always making counterfeits of the true, either to attempt to mock God and bring Him down to his level, or to deceive his followers, or both.

Let's have a little background on Dionysus. Here is some information that I compiled for another article:

In the Encyclopedia Britainnica (1963 and 1974 editions) Dionysus is described "in Greek cult and mythology, a nature god of fruitfulness and vegetation, but tending to specialize as a god of wine...The alternative names Bacchus (Bacchos...); Sabazuis and Bassareus are Thracian." He was also called Bromios.

He is believed to have been introduced to Greece from Thrace and Phyrgia. While in Greece the orgiastic worship of him was toned down, "In his native country his worshippers sought to become possessed by or assimilated to him by wild dancing and the tearing in pieces and eating of animals..." The victims of this carnage may have originally been human.

The female attendants of Dionysus were known as the Maenads. Many women were attracted to him and took to the hills wearing faun skins and crowns of ivy. The ivy wreath itself being one of his personal attributes...Their ritual cry was "Euoi!" They danced by torchlight to the flute and kettledrum and used wine freely. While under the god's power (really devils) they supposedly possessed occult powers, could charm snakes, suckle animals, and were given super strength to tear their living victims in pieces before devouring them raw. In Greece a dancing circle surrounded his altar. Through this complete, unconditional surrender to the devils in this orgy, they believed they could cross over into the eternal, spiritual realm.

The phallus was a prominent symbol in Dionysus' rituals and was carried in processions in his honor...His followers included fertility spirits, such as satyrs.

He was said to have the "gift" of prophecy and was given a position at that wretched shrine of Delphi only slightly lower than that of Apollo. He often took animal forms and, interestingly enough, was associated with the lion, among others.

Silenus in mythology was the son of Hermes or Pan (Satan). He was said to be a nymph and was the companion and nurse of Dionysus. Which gives room for speculation regarding sodomy since Hermes was associated with such.

Silenus was often depicted in the Bacchus' train in art and was generally shown as "a little pot-bellied old man with snub nose and bald head, riding on an ass and supported by satyrs..." (Quite appropriately, there is a statue of him carrying an infant Dionysus in the Vatican.) In the plural they were said to be the same as satyrs, but older, wiser and drunker. They were characterized as prophets and expert musicians.

So, yes, the idea of exalting Dionysus is revolting in any context, but especially trying to superimpose him into a mockery of the Lord's Supper. However, considering the context of the Olympic tableau in Paris, it is hardly surprising that they would include him.

Why C. S. Lewis?

This brings me to the hypocrisy that I noticed pretty quickly. All the Christians who were crying out against this evil representation of "The Last Supper" painting and were angry about the inclusion of Dionysus gave me pause to consider. I wonder how many of them consider C. S. Lewis to be a good, godly Christian whose writings are to be admired and honored. Probably most of them.

Here is where the rubber meets the road, as the saying goes. Why would the world take Christians seriously who cry out against having Dionysus included in an admittedly vile representation of "The Last Supper" when most of these same Christians are perfectly fine with C. S. Lewis including him in the celebration in the book Prince Caspian? Ouch.

This is the thing that I have been seeing and thinking about lately. So many Christians cry out against one thing and another, and yet, when we dig a little deeper into their own practices and beliefs, we find that they are blatant hypocrites. How can we be surprised or upset when people refuse to take Christianity seriously when Christians don't themselves!?

They claim to hate the sins of the LGBTQ+ lifestyles, and yet they love movies and T.V. shows and books that not only include, but glamorize these very things. Take Beauty and the Beast from Disney, for example. A bunch of Christians just can't let go of it, despite a prominent character who is humorously portrayed as a homosexual.

Even the world knows that we are commanded to "...Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you" (Luke 6:27), and yet so many "Christian" conservatives have actively joined the hate feasts that surround political figures.

Some Christians will speak boldly about believing the word of God and holding scripture in high esteem, and yet you can read through entire articles, blog posts, and listen to pod casts and get ZERO Bible from them to support anything they are saying, even when there was solid scriptural teaching on it.

And here, in this case, are a bunch of professing and real believers talking about how vile Dionysus is and how terrible this tableau is, and yet, sitting on their bookshelves at home are books claimed to be Christian allegories which contain a feast with Dionysus and his wild women followers and Silenus. These false gods are portrayed in attendance with Aslan and the "good guys" as they celebrate Prince Caspian's return to the kingdom. (See this page for more detailed information.)

How can we expect people to take Christianity seriously in face of these gross inconsistencies? And, believe you me, there are people who see it. Don't make the mistake of thinking these thing go unnoticed.

If you're going to cry out against the wicked attacks against the person and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, maybe stop and think about being consistent in your own life first. Is there a beam in the eye of the world? Yes. I mean, they are lost and on their way to hell. What can you expect? But, what is that beam in your own eye? Do you have a set of The Chronicles of Narnia in your home? Do you recommend it to children to read? Go back and read about the history of Dionysus. Then reread the quotes from Prince Caspian. Do you really think that Dionysus is a "fun" character who should be introduced to children as a "good guy" and a friend of Jesus Christ (as Aslan supposedly represents)??

People who are genuinely burdened for the lost and want to see people born again don't understand why they aren't taken seriously sometimes. Well, it's time to stop this namby-pamby, lukewarm version of Christianity and start living like they say they believe. Maybe some people need to even start believing something for a change, I mean belief that puts its shoes on and walks the walk in everyday life, not just blabs on social media and in the church foyer. Just sayin'...

1 Peter 1:13-21 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, those people aren't going to get away with mocking God. And that is a fearful thing for them.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

But, that applies to you too, Christian. You are going to answer to God for yourself someday.

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Are you crying out against the very things that you allow in your own personal life?

Romans 14:21-22 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Are you condemning yourself in the things you allow in your life, in your home, in your children's lives? If yes, then don't be surprised when your kids someday walk away from God. Don't be surprised when people you try to witness to call you out as a hypocrite. Don't be surprised when the world doesn't take Jesus Christ seriously when the only Jesus you have ever shown them is a cheap imitation of your own creation - a Jesus who, to all appearances, is ok with you embracing the world even while you gripe about it.

And here is food for thought: Those people in Paris who are responsible for that wretched tableau are sinners that Jesus died for, just as much as you and I are. They don't know Him yet. Maybe none of them ever will, but maybe some might. Because here's the thing, Jesus didn't come to save just nice, semi-clean, moderately moral people. He came to save the lost.

Luke 5:31-32 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [Emphasis added.]

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Let's live like it.

background and graphics by Mary Stephens
vintage graphic: unknown source