Did you see the Coke Ad during the Super Bowl this year? Every year, it seems, there is at least one Super Bowl commercial that becomes a point of public discussion. This year, it's Coke's ad, featuring the song "America the Beautiful" sung in several different languages. The controversy revolves around angry comments made by some viewers on Twitter, who resented "their" song being sung in languages other than English. I will not rehash those comments here; they can be found with an easy search, and some are referenced in Jim Denison's excellent commentary that I link at the bottom of this post.
My response to the "controversial" Coke ad:
1. I doubt there is much controversy, actually. The internet allows people to anonymously say awful things they wouldn't have the courage to say in public. And we give them attention for this! (Yes, I realize I am doing that right now. The irony).
2. One of the great things about our country is that is a melting pot of hundreds of different cultures and languages. Yes, my forefathers spoke German when they first got here.
3. As ...an American, I am happy to hear people sing for God to shed His grace on my country in any language, thank you very much.
4. I live in the most diverse city in America. Whether or not I am comfortable with that fact, my Christian faith demands that I see it as an opportunity, not a burden. This commercial, whatever its motives, reminded me that the mission field is here.
5. As Jim Denison's article (linked below) says so well, we are called to hospitality towards aliens and strangers. Period.
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