My Tim Tebow Problem (Tebow Derangement Syndrome)

The Jewish Week ^ | December 12, 2011 | Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

[OddLane]

I’ve got a Tim Tebow problem.

I want to root for the guy, but I’m afraid of what will happen if the hulky Denver Bronco quarterback continues to pull off what is fast becoming the Greatest Gridiron Story Ever Told. Since taking over as starting quarterback earlier this season, the Heisman winning national champion from the University of Florida has been winning consistently and dramatically, in the final minutes of the game or overtime, relying on powerful legs rather than his infamously erratic arm and confounding skeptical fans along with the Bronco management, who, it is said, were hoping he would fail.

A poster boy of the Christian right, Tebow steadfastly thanks Jesus after every game and, while in college, often inscribed biblical messages on his eye paint. Homeschooled in Florida, this child of missionaries turned down his selection as a Playboy All American because it was, well, Playboy. His trademark prayerful touchdown celebration (imagine Rodin’s “Thinker” on bended knee, or your grandfather davening Tachanun with a football) has become a verb. Google “tebowing” and you’ll find 84 million hits, including lots of YouTube parodies. Tebow’s mother, a Baptist missionary, became comatose during her pregnancy and was saved by drugs that nearly killed the fetus. Doctors anticipated a stillbirth and recommended termination to protect her life, but Tim’s mother refused to abort. Trumpeting that decision, mother and son appeared in commercials for “Focus on the Family” during this past season’s Super Bowl.

[SumProVita]

As with all human beings, we have good and bad. That applies to rabbis too.

Here’s a GOOD rabbi who really gets it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPuUZ821yEI

[wbill]

So lemme get this straight. Tebow wins the SB, and Christians everywhere will be moved to kill Jews?

Unless this is satire (poor satire).....I just don't see the connection.

[RinaseaofDs]

This man is diabolically ignorant. ‘Certainty vs Doubt’, not ‘Good vs. Evil’?

That’s his world view, and maybe the world view of many liberal Jews. It explains a great deal.

It appears he knows little about football, baseball, or religion. I nearly stopped reading until I got to the ‘money’ line in his piece. ‘Certainty vs. Doubt’.

Putatively, Obama’s the man, for the very reason that he obviously doesn’t know what he’s doing, and essentially admits it daily. Moreover, he has an administration equally as ‘doubtful’ upon which to further his legacy.

In the same article he denigrates scientists who question the ‘evidence’ behind global warming, he attacks those who are ‘certain’.

Arrogant and ignorant, which is and always has been, a deadly combination.

What sealed the ignorance thing was this line:

“I saw a divine hand in the equally unbelievable Red Sox victory of 2004.”

Anyone who knows anything about baseball knew that after the Yanks lost that first game, they were out of pitching from there. Even the Yankees knew it. Joe Torre’s book lays it all out.

I can’t for the life of me understand why the Jews hate themselves so, and with such moral certainty (of all things).

[reaganaut]

I have a book from the 1970s put out by Jews for Jesus, callled “Jesus for Jews”. It is a collection of testimonies and conversion stories (including Jay Sekulow) and the consistent theme is how they were brought up to hate or fear Christians, how they struggled with faith in Christ while maintaining their Jewish culture and how many were disowned or banished by Jewish family, friends, and neighbors.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Absolutely confident that God is on his side, he comes across as a humbler version of the biblical Joseph, who, in this week’s Torah portion, audaciously lays claim to being the Chosen One, and then goes out and proves it. Tebow’s sanctimonious God-talk has led even pious peers like Kurt Warner to suggest that he cool it. Joseph could have used the same coaching.

So this Rabbi thinks that Joseph should have "cooled it"?

Really?

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Into the middle of it all rides Tebow. Absolutely confident that God is on his side, he comes across as a humbler version of the biblical Joseph, who, in this week’s Torah portion, audaciously lays claim to being the Chosen One, and then goes out and proves it.

[slumber1]

Tebow used to wear eye black citing Ephesians 2:8-10, which states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (in Jesus).” His avenue to salvation is not available to those Jews who wish to remain Jewish.

If Jesus really is the Messiah then accepting him as such would be the most Jewish thing any Jew could do right.

[Pan_Yan]

relying on powerful legs rather than his infamously erratic arm

Tebow has 11 TD passes and 2 interceptions this season, threw for more than 200 yards each of the last two games and threw 40 passes against the Bears on Sunday. Enjoy that "erratic arm" statement now ... he's getting better every game.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

What sealed the ignorance thing was this line:

"I saw a divine hand in the equally unbelievable Red Sox victory of 2004.”

I was going to post about the very same line . . .

Dave Roberts was going to steal second base. Everyone at Fenway knew it. Everyone who was tuned into the game on television, radio, or the interwebs knew it. And he beat the throw by the barest of margins because that's what Dave Roberts did best: steal bases.

God blessed Dave with his athletic talents, his drive, etc., etc., but God had no skin in that 2004 ACLS game whatsoever. Whoever finds something divine in athletic event is silly.

Did God really have it in for the Yanks, or did he really, really, REALLY want morons like Manny, Damon, and KFC Millar to win it? Really, don't you think God has bigger fish to fry?

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Enjoy that "erratic arm" statement now ... he's getting better every game.

Let's see what he can do against the Patriots' god-awful secondary. Maybe Edelman will get his first pick as a nickleback.

[Pan_Yan]

Let's see what he can do against the Patriots' god-awful secondary.

I don't have any idea what's going to happen in the Broncos/Patriots game but I know I want to be watching when it does.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Tebow has not won the games.

Watch this 95 yard drive in last 6 minutes against the Jets ....it was all Tebow

Tebow Time

[chesley]

Is that by Ruth Rosen?

[isthisnickcool]

The funniest line I have heard about this guy is:

“I have not heard so much about a white Bronco since the OJ trial”

[junta]

Basically the rabbi is saying he knows the truth and disputes TT’s version, but he is putting it in the language of the twentieth century secular ideological mumbo jumbo of all white men are potential nazis unless they are complete degenerates or sychophants to an ideological cult. Personally I can accept a truce on “End Times” theology and ideology.

[mas cerveza por favor]

The rabbi is faithless. May Almighty God remove the veil from his heart.

[Sicon]

Be sure to read all of the comments following the article - they're outstanding.

Don't know if the Broncos have much chance of winning the Super Bowl, but it would definitely be fun to watch if they did (unless they play the Giants, that is!).

[reaganaut]

Yeah, that’s the one.

[mountainlion]

Watch this 95 yard drive in last 6 minutes against the Jets ....it was all Tebow

Tebow was only caught about 3 times in the first three quarters. Everyone was dropping the balls. The last quarter they started catching the ball. It really depends on your point of view. Some could say the punter won the last two games. It was a group effort. I do like Tebow though.

[chesley]

After I rread your post, I looked it up on Amazon. I might be interested in getting a copy. I’m assuming that you recommend it, but I’d like to be sure.

Thanks.