This Tebow Thing
I have waited several weeks to comment on Tim Tebow. While he was on the winning eleven, it would seem like bandwagon jumping. But, now that he was bested by the hated Pats (by Stiller fans anyway) and the best QB in the game, the hated Tom Brady (by Stiller fans anyway), it is time to comment.
Tebow is not the ideal Christian, from a Biblical basis, to represent the Christian faith in the marketplace of ideas. To a Biblical and Reformed confessional Christian, he is a Sabbath breaker. And, he does wear his faith on his sleeve, which is not my style. Style is not the issue, however. It is whether you, instead of the Gospel, as related by St. Paul, are the stumbling block to faith. Of course, the possibility of being vilified or degraded for sharing your faith should not be an impediment in doing so. We must be discerning in how and in what circumstances to do so. For, the bottom line is that rejection of you as a Christian is really rejection of Jesus as God, Lord and Savior. He said so Himself.
So, we have the strange case of Tim Tebow, marginal, at best, QB at this time of his career, his “miraculous” comebacks and his openness to proclaiming the Gospel at any time and at any place. He has become a lightning rod of controversy. For many Christians, he is doing what they wished they could do, be unabashed and bold in their stand for Jesus. He is applauded for storming the marketplace of ideas with the Gospel and using his platform to do so. He is a hero to many who profess Christianity. On the other hand, we have the multitude of detractors. Their positions are many and varied: keep your faith private where it belongs, including Tebowing; what has God got to do with sporting events; Tebow is just a pawn in the culture war; why should a mediocre player get attention because of his religion; Tebow is an intolerant bigot; and Tebow is a member of a fringe group of Christians. I am sure you can add to the list.
So, I compare him to Cassius Clay/Ali because there is seemingly no middle ground when looking at these two. You either are for them or against them; pro or anti. In one sense, Ali was the polar opposite of Tebow. Ali was, in his prime, one of the greatest prize fighters who ever lived. There was no question about his prowess as a boxer. He was a braggart and that turned many folks off. But, when he refused to be drafted and changed his name and religion, he became a polarizing force in the entire country as anti-American and anti-Christian. His actions may be dealt with more sympathetically today in a relativistic society with less of an emphasis on common beliefs and understandings. However, the Tebow situation may lead us to see that openness is not quite where we think it is.
I have two thoughts on Tebow. The reaction he engenders seems to have two explanations, not necessarily distinct but separate. One is that he represents to the non-believer what they believed was long ago settled. That ignorant pre-modern man can have an impact on society and receive a public hearing. And, because the majority of the academic and social elites are indifferent or hostile to religion, it is especially appalling that a “football fundamentalist” is bringing God back into the public discourse. St. Paul says the truth is written on every heart and God’s nature proclaims to all Who He is. Well, modern man has spent the last 200 years trying to marginalize and rid the culture and especially the public square of God. Paul called this suppressing the truth. Now, this celibate footballer, by winning a few meaningless games, re-introduces God again through a very public venue. For the God deniers, this again reminds them of the truth of St. Paul … they know about the Biblical God. And, they darn well do not like being reminded of that fact.
The second point is a little more subtle. The one thing the football watching public likes to say about Tebow is that he is a “winner”. He may not have the skills of the Manning brothers, Brady, Brees, Rivers or other top flight NFL QBs, but he has a strong will to persevere and win. Even without the spectacular skills, he wins. There is a Biblical message in all that. God can take the weak and powerless of the pro football world and uses them to bring Him glory. And, this is the sense in which Tebow wants his Lord to have the glory. As stated above, many think God has better things to do than be concerned with football games. Yet, He is always concerned about His own. And, he can use the obedience of any of His children to accomplish what He wants. The NFL touts itself as the most popular sport in America. Millions watch every week, multiple times. It seems oxymoronic to the world, but maybe, just maybe, the 24 year old Tim Tebow is being used of God to show that He exercises providence over all things of this world. Consider the lilies of the field and birds of the air; why not the endeavors of His people.
This idea is quite jarring to believers and non-believers alike. Doesn’t God have more important things to think about than football games? There is hubris in that question. It is as if man can dictate to God in what He is to be concerned and that there is a serious failure of concern by Him if He does not give attention to what we think He should be attentive. What He is most concerned about is His glory and His people. If He has willing and obedient folks in any activity that can bring Him glory, it will be done. That is so in a foundry, on the farm, in an office, on a battlefield, in a home and yes, even in a sold out football stadium with millions watching live on TV and the highlights on sports shows.
Think about it. A missionary kid loves to play football. He becomes a pro. He is a committed follower of Christ and never fails to tell others about Jesus. By winning a few games with comebacks that may be more “miraculous” than we think, God now has the young man on the biggest stage available to the man to remind others of the God whom they have tried to eliminate from their lives. Just as Jesus in the flesh was not universally acclaimed and accepted, this reminder of Him is not either. That is no surprise. God is glorified by his faithful servants no matter what the world thinks or says. So, it seems to me this Tebow thing is really a God thing: God using Tebow to remind the world of the truth of Him and glorifying Himself even through seemingly meaningless games won by Tebow without the skill set deemed necessary by the world.
