Can Woods be(come) good? The lie of the Tiger

RenewAmerica ^ | 12-22-09 | Tom O'Toole

[mlizzy]

I observed a young man with no sense
Going along the street...at the time of the dark of night
A bag of money he took with him
not till the full moon will he return home...
Can a man take fire to his bosom
and his garments not be scorched?
...he who commits adultery is a fool;
He who would destroy himself does it.
(Proverbs 6:27, 32; 8:7-8, 20)

"I feel cheated!" my wife Jeanette lamented (no pun intended) as the Tiger Woods saga snowballed from a minor traffic accident into a major infidelity scandal. Meanwhile, our female chiropractor-acupuncturist, who, like Jeanette had never been a fan of golf until she had been swept away by Tiger's unique blend of talent, determination and charm, exclaimed, "If he's so sick he can't control himself, he at least should have stayed single!" As a huge sports fan (and former Tiger fanatic) myself, I can in many ways relate to my wife's disillusionment. And, while I don't disagree with my doctor's analysis, I'd also say the diagnosis is not so simple.

Now before we get into the "bad" Tiger, it is important to remember why so many spectators admired him in the first place. Woods' discipline to "obtain the perishable crown" (1 Cor 9:25) was perhaps unparalled, and while he had never professed pursuit of the imperishable one Paul talked about, many Christians assumed it was only a matter of time. After all, Tiger had a beautiful wife and two kids, and they always looked so happy as Woods would kiss and embrace them after he had won yet another hard fought tournament...

[fightingirishthomas]

Dear Talisker -- And sometimes people write, and it seems they haven't even read my article because they talk about nothing that I wrote ...

Demand perfection? Au contraire; I wrote that no one is perfect (except Our Lord) but there IS a big difference from cheating on your wife multiple times and one wayward glance. To ask and pray that Tiger be faithful to his wife is arrogant and nasty-tongued? By the way, Saint Paul was the first Christian to popularize the analogy of sports and faith, and how one can mirror the other. Obviously he didn't think either being inspired by other Christians or praying for them was wrong. History has shown many Christians to be inspired by St. Augustine's life; are these millions of Christians repulsive to you also? Either you have a problem with Christianity (and its basic tenants of praying for and trying to help others) of you are so cynical about life that the cares of the world have choked off your Christian faith from aiding others. But nothing is impossible with God, and Christmas is the perfect time to regain the joy the Christ-child brings to us all ... Merry Christmas!

God's grace,
Tom O'Toole