That’s way too much earnestness for the ironic. It’s way too much idealism for the cynical. And it’s way too much selflessness for the self-absorbed. In short, people aren’t upset at Tebow’s God talk. They’re upset that he might actually believe it.
I thought it might be interesting to look at how our culture reacts to someone of enthusiastic faith. Anyone turned off by his non stop love for giving all credit to Jesus Christ?
Take it one step further, unabashedly, publically and unapologetically displays it.
Notice the Detroit Lions have gone into the crapper since they mocked Tebow?
I always thought that Tebow was a Catholic because his mother chose not to abort him.
Evidently that is not the case.
No, Mr. Teebow certainly isn't one of those, surely he is sincere in his professions of faith.
However, given that football, along with all professional sports, are the closest thing we have to a national religion...with utterly fanatical devotees, engaged in real idolatry (which is why the teams have so much money to pay their players--and everyone else associated with them), for something that is really no more than athletic entertainment...I still feel an ambiguity for players' exhibitions of faith.
If Sunday is the Lord's Day--which the keeping of it is (still) one of the 10 Commandments (and up 100 years ago, nearly no serious Christian would violate...see "Chariots of Fire" anyone?), and something all professional and college athletes routinely violate....I just cannot see what all the fuss is about.
Teebow surely has a strong, real, faith.
He does, however--via participation in that profession--encourage idolatry, time wasting, and Sabbath breaking.
Doesn't sound that devout to me.
Tebow’s critics have always maintained that he couldn’t be an NFL quarterback due to being inaccurate, having poor mechanics, not having enough talent, etc.
In many ways, they’re right, but that’s the beauty of Tebow.
The way he’s been winning these games in tight situations without much talent makes it seem as if he is winning only by the grace of God. And he may be.
If so, it’s a great way to show the power of God and faith to a national audience.
The smell of death to those who are perishing
I wish people would just stop cracking on this guy. He has a love of God and he shows it, so? Does that make men on a field and in sports uncomfortable? Maybe they should re-evaluate their own lives. I just can’t get over the mocking of this kid. Their jealousy is apparent. Listen, when he played in college, I was not a particular fan, since we are a nole’ family. But, when he was a senior I said, this kid has heart and a soul. Now I’m a believer that he can make it and it doesn’t even matter, cause he will be a success at whatever he does.
As Ed Sullivan once said: “It’s all shoe business!”
They just won't see the obvious.
WELL PUT.
AMEN.
The last being (with apologies to H.L. Mencken) the very definition of the modern secular puritan.
Philippians 1:15-18 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Tebow’s Religion, and Ours
It’s interesting.
So many see this as being about *religion*, his vs *ours*.
What they don’t get is that it’s not about *religion*. Tebow has a vibrant, real relationship with his Lord and Savior and the world simply does not know what to do with it.
Interesting kid. We better pray for this role model. There are probably all types out there right now figuring out a way to take him down....morally.
Love the section you copy/pasted.