Discussion on a Super Bowl commercial showcasing diverse individuals washing feet to promote understanding over hate, $100 million 'He Gets Us' ad campaign driving people to the website, controversies and criticisms among Christians, parallels between Apostle Paul's defense and modern-day criticisms, exploring Christological themes and call for unity in acknowledging Jesus' relatability to humanity.
The 'He Gets Us' campaign aims to attract skeptics and cultural Christians with a $100 million national advertising effort.
Criticism and support surrounding the 'He Gets Us' campaign reflect diverse perspectives on its financial investment and messaging strategy.
The 'He Gets Us' campaign effectively engages a broad audience by emphasizing Jesus' inclusive and empathetic nature.
Deep dives
The Impact of the He Gets Us Campaign
The He Gets Us campaign launched a $100 million national effort aimed at attracting skeptics and cultural Christians. This massive advertising initiative, focusing on the message that 'Jesus gets us,' is projected to become a multibillion-dollar campaign targeting millennials and Generation Z. The campaign includes TV commercials, online ads, billboards, and seeks to engage a broad audience with a message of acceptance and understanding.
Responses to the He Gets Us Campaign
The He Gets Us campaign sparked diverse reactions, particularly among Christians, with some criticizing the significant financial investment and the focus on unconventional portrayals linked to the LGBTQ community and abortion clinics. Critics raised concerns about diverting resources from more substantive causes, while supporters emphasized the positive impact of highlighting Jesus' inclusive and empathetic nature.
Engagement and Outreach Strategies
The He Gets Us campaign effectively engaged over 700,000 website visitors, doubling the average online visit duration. By strategically leveraging platforms like YouTube and the Super Bowl, along with maintaining donor anonymity and delaying the explicit mention of Jesus in ads, the campaign successfully attracted its target audience. With over 20,000 churches supporting volunteer follow-ups, reminiscent of Billy Graham's approach, outreach efforts aimed to bridge interest to gospel exploration.
Criticism and Affiliations of He Gets Us
Criticism surrounding the He Gets Us campaign mainly focused on affiliations and funding sources, with some questioning the organizational backing and evangelical motives. Despite inquiries about donor diversity, the campaign clarified that all supporters are Christians from various backgrounds. The perceived lack of focus on church involvement prompted debates about the appropriateness of the messaging strategy, particularly within Christian circles.
The Theological Underpinning of He Gets Us
The He Gets Us campaign underlines a fundamental principle of Christology, emphasizing Jesus' dual nature as fully human and fully divine. By presenting Jesus as relatable and compassionate, the campaign seeks to confront prevailing cultural narratives and showcase the transformative power of empathy and understanding. Balancing Jesus' humanity and divinity, the campaign delivers a message of inclusivity and acceptance, echoing the core tenets of Christian faith.
In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss a Super Bowl commercial that's been getting a lot of attention - and no, it's not the DunKings. It was a commercial from “He Gets Us,” depicting a montage of somewhat unusual pairings of people washing feet. It concluded with “Jesus didn't teach hate. He washed feet. He gets us. All of us.” This ad has sparked a lot of controversy among Christians in particular. But should it?
Episode Links
With each commercial that has aired since 2022, the goal has been to drive people to the “He Gets Us” website, which you can find HERE. In fact, following the ad during the Super Bowl, more than 700,000 people visited the site in the first 18 hours. Those visitors spent twice as long as normal on the site, with thousands subscribing to Bible reading plans and joining small groups. But many Christians have had a lot to say about it. Here are some articles that were mentioned in today's episode that you may want to check out:
Another article featured the creator of the series The Chosen coming out to voice his support of the ads. You can read that article HERE. If for some reason you are unfamiliar with The Chosen, we'd encourage you to check out our podcast episode CCP54: On “The Chosen".
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