DoggieHeadTilt

As the dust settles from the Super Bowl half-time striptease, let me go on record as saying I like what Janet Jackson did.  I also appreciate what she revealed.

Now–before you write me off–let me tell you “the rest of the story.”

C.S. Lewis once wrote: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”  In Lewis’ mind, the Christian story is true not just because of its historical veracity, but because it offers the best explanation of life as we experience it.  Now the trick in all of this is to observe how people act when they don’t have time to think about it.  You learn the most about “real life” in the unedited moments.

Which brings me to the Super Bowl half-time show.  It seems to me that what Janet Jackson did in the unedited moment is best understood in the light of the Christian story (notice I didn’t say what Justin did.  I’m talking about Janet’s unedited reaction).  And what was it that Janet did?

She immediately covered her exposed breast.

Without thinking about it, Janet Jackson “knew” she had crossed some sort of line.  And this is exactly what the Christian story predicts will happen.  God made the body to be enjoyed–it is inherently good (including a woman’s breasts).  But due to the fall of humankind, our bodies and human sexuality are not only corrupted–the whole issue of breasts and bottoms became a bit convoluted.  While still inherently good, God clothed Adam and Eve with a measure of modesty.  I don’t know all that this means, but it does seem to indicate there are appropriate–and inappropriate–times and places for exposing and celebrating our human bodies.

Now, if you watch MTV, you’d think the idea of modesty was extinct.  The writers, performers, and producers basically tell the story of our bodies as being one of titillation, scintillation, and abandonment with no shame.  But MTV is packaged and produced–it is edited.  If Janet really believed the “MTV story” is true, she would have never covered her breast after Justin’s unexpected “revelation.”  She would have instead let it hang out.  But Janet didn’t have time to think about all that.  In the unedited moment, she “revealed” more than her right bosom–she pointed to the Christian story as being the most truthful.  It’s the best explanation of how life really works its way out.

So I like what Janet Jackson did.  I don’t delight in the overall spectacle, but I do appreciate what she revealed.  What do you think?