The kiss cam seen round the world

and how Christians are to respond

The controversy involves Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, caught embracing his Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, on a jumbotron at a Coldplay concert. The (apparent) affair bears striking parallels to the biblical account of King David and Bathsheba, offering a lens through which to see the incident from a Christian perspective.

My family has been working through 2 Samuel in our morning devotions and as soon as the internet blew up on this, my mind went to the fall of the great king: In 2 Samuel 11, David, a leader chosen by God, succumbs to temptation by lusting after Bathsheba, the wife of on of his solodiers, Uriah, and he commits adultery with her, ultimately leading him to commit further egregious sins, even murder, to cover his adultery with Bathsheba.

Similarly, Byron, a modern leader, was publicly exposed in an (apparent) act of infidelity, as both he and Cabot are reportedly married to others. The Bible clearly condemns adultery (Exodus 20:14), and David’s sin, like Byron’s, began with a moment of private decisions that spiraled into public consequences.

In the Bible, Nathan the prophet confronts David (2 Samuel 12:1-7), on his hidden sin, while in 2025 a jumbotron was the method of exposure. From a biblical perspective, this all underscores that no one, regardless of status, is above God’s moral law. However, the story of David and Bathsheba also offers a path to redemption that can shape a Christian response. Byron’s attempt to hide from the camera echoes David’s initial efforts to conceal his sin. But David’s genuine repentance, as expressed in Psalm 51, where he pleads for God’s mercy and acknowledges his sin, led to his restoration, though not without consequences (2 Samuel 12:13-14).

Scripture calls for confession and turning from sin (1 John 1:9), like David, Byron and Cabot, have an opportunity to seek forgiveness from God and those affected, including their spouses. The public nature of the jumbotron incident, and Nathan’s public rebuke of David, serves as a moment of accountability, reminding believers that God brings hidden things to light (Luke 8:17).

So how should Christians respond? We are called to pray for their repentance and healing while upholding the sanctity of marriage (Hebrews 13:4) and the sin of adultery. God’s confrontation of David through Nathan is a reminder that God aimed to restore rather than destroy. Christians are to approach sin with truth while praying for repentance and restoration of all involved, and to be reminded of our own need for accountability and sanctification (Matthew 7:5).

This controversy, like David’s sin, serves as a sobering reminder to us to guard our hearts and actions, to obey God’s call to holiness in both private and public spheres (1 Peter 1:15-16), and to consistently confess and repent of our sins.