As I write this, I am experiencing something I have heretofore only heard of from afar: the (platonic) love affair that evangelical Christians have with Tim Tebow, the quarterback of the Denver Broncos (one of the teams I happen to like). In case your ESPN has been cancelled or your TV unplugged for the past season, what has happened is that an underrated young quarterback, maligned by the commentators, has taken the reins in Denver and led his (previously horrible) team to a playoff berth. He's full of energy, highly competitive, and a gifted leader. And while he still has his "haters," Tebow has become the most exciting and trendy player in the National Football League this season.
So what's my issue?
It has nothing to do with Tim Tebow himself. I join other football fans in recognizing and applauding the way he has persevered in the face of criticism, maintained composure when placed in a seemingly intractible situation, and continued to find ways to win against almost impossible odds more often than not. I also appreciate his genuine faith. Even when he was in college, I was impressed that he spent his time serving others and sharing the Gospel with prisoners who would listen to a Heisman trophy winner but not a preacher. It is a way of life he continues in other areas of service today. I hope he continues to be a good role model in a league that has too few of them.
My concern is instead about the Tebow bandwagon - which he is neither driving nor promoting. Many Christians are hailing him as a savior of public faith, and people who know nothing about football are proclaiming him the greatest football player ever just because of his Christianity. At this moment, though it is halftime and Denver is down 35-7 against a sure-fire future Hall of Fame quarterback, a group of youth leaders (including a Giants fan) are speaking of a forthcoming "Tebow miracle" with utter certainty. For many Christians, Tim Tebow is "God's quarterback," and that alone is enough.
So why do I care? Because, as much as I like Tim Tebow, and as much as I admire his public witness to his faith, bandwagons don't last forever - and what is going to happen when (as currently seems likely, though I never quite count Tebow out) his magical (or miraculous?) run comes to an end, at least for the season? Will that invalidate his witness and example as a person of faith? That would be a shame. Or will Tebowmania continue, overlooking the reality on the field (that he is still a good athlete and leader with a will to win and a lot left to learn about football) and demanding that he be celebrated, not just as a good person and faithful Christian, but as a great NFL quarterback? That just doesn't make sense to me, and can do little to promote the cause of Christ.
At the end of the day, why can't we just agree that Tim Tebow is a decent football player - and a better young Christian - without anointing him as Christianity's poster boy (and latest Christian fad) in a secular world? If we did, we might just find that he is more than a fad, that he can be the role model we seek: a young Christian in a public position who does a lot of good and is a positive example of what it means to follow Jesus. That's real, that's genuine, and that's exactly what we want to show our teenagers is possible - to live a life of faith in any area of life. We don't need to make him into a saint or a celebrity Christian. We can just let him be the faithful follower of Jesus that he is, and be grateful for that. And, in the process, we might just find that he's a pretty exciting football player, too.
In Christ,
Adam
So what's my issue?
It has nothing to do with Tim Tebow himself. I join other football fans in recognizing and applauding the way he has persevered in the face of criticism, maintained composure when placed in a seemingly intractible situation, and continued to find ways to win against almost impossible odds more often than not. I also appreciate his genuine faith. Even when he was in college, I was impressed that he spent his time serving others and sharing the Gospel with prisoners who would listen to a Heisman trophy winner but not a preacher. It is a way of life he continues in other areas of service today. I hope he continues to be a good role model in a league that has too few of them.
My concern is instead about the Tebow bandwagon - which he is neither driving nor promoting. Many Christians are hailing him as a savior of public faith, and people who know nothing about football are proclaiming him the greatest football player ever just because of his Christianity. At this moment, though it is halftime and Denver is down 35-7 against a sure-fire future Hall of Fame quarterback, a group of youth leaders (including a Giants fan) are speaking of a forthcoming "Tebow miracle" with utter certainty. For many Christians, Tim Tebow is "God's quarterback," and that alone is enough.
So why do I care? Because, as much as I like Tim Tebow, and as much as I admire his public witness to his faith, bandwagons don't last forever - and what is going to happen when (as currently seems likely, though I never quite count Tebow out) his magical (or miraculous?) run comes to an end, at least for the season? Will that invalidate his witness and example as a person of faith? That would be a shame. Or will Tebowmania continue, overlooking the reality on the field (that he is still a good athlete and leader with a will to win and a lot left to learn about football) and demanding that he be celebrated, not just as a good person and faithful Christian, but as a great NFL quarterback? That just doesn't make sense to me, and can do little to promote the cause of Christ.
At the end of the day, why can't we just agree that Tim Tebow is a decent football player - and a better young Christian - without anointing him as Christianity's poster boy (and latest Christian fad) in a secular world? If we did, we might just find that he is more than a fad, that he can be the role model we seek: a young Christian in a public position who does a lot of good and is a positive example of what it means to follow Jesus. That's real, that's genuine, and that's exactly what we want to show our teenagers is possible - to live a life of faith in any area of life. We don't need to make him into a saint or a celebrity Christian. We can just let him be the faithful follower of Jesus that he is, and be grateful for that. And, in the process, we might just find that he's a pretty exciting football player, too.
In Christ,
Adam
Well put, Adam - my concerns exactly. And while, like you, I celebrate his success (though at the moment it does seem tenuous), another question I have is this: Why are America's superheroes always those who are in the "easy" places, i.e., making a lot of money and loading up on fame? And then, too, why does America immediately abandon them when the "magic" evaporates? You do have to hand to the praying quarterback, though: While other sports heroes make the big bucks and often do some not-so-nice things with loaded down with money and notoriety, Tebow spends serious time with family, has used his earning power to start a foundation to assist others in need, and gives lots of attention to hurting children. So I hope his heroism does outlive the moment. If it does, he'll have led our nation to some correction in its worship of idols. Thanks. Bob Ballance
ReplyDeleteDoes Tebow ever give thanks or pray on the sideline after a loss? Does he ever thank God for having an injury free game or for just having the chance to play? I am not sure if he does or not...
ReplyDeletePraising God for the opportunity is pretty great too. All I think is that God should be praised for everything in our lives, not just when things go the way we hoped.