The Tim Tebow story is a fantastic one. The young quarterback has lead the Broncos to a 7-1 record in their last 8 games and has the Broncos leading the AFC West. Tebow’s play has inspired his team and the Broncos are a threat in the AFC. Many people attribute his success to his devout Christian beliefs. However, I’m here to say something that needs to be done. Tebow’s success has nothing to do with him being a Christian.
Before I get raked over the coals, I’m a Catholic with a strong belief in God. I think it’s just fine that Tebow believes in God and even portrays this publicly. This is America, you have the freedom of religion and to express it in any which way you want. Tebow could change his name to Jesus and I would say more power to him. Attributing his success to God goes against the beliefs of Christianity.
God doesn’t play favorites. Saying Tebow’s success is in part of his belief God dismisses other players who are also Christian, but not just as open with it. Take the Indianapolis Colts, for instance. They are 0-13 and one of the worst teams in NFL history. I’m sure there are very devout Christians on that team. However, God hasn’t saved them from being one of the worst teams.
Saying that God will choose to influence a football game over world peace or some pressing issue is just asinine. God is hands-off. He gave us the trait of free will. We can do whatever we like. We can choose to live in God’s likeness or we can choose not to. It’s that simple.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is probably the best way to make my argument. A man had two sons. One took his inheritance and squandered it while the other remained faithful to his father. Eventually, the first son realized the error of his ways and returned back to his home. He was beaten and humbled and his father welcomed him back with open arms, even throwing him a celebration. The son who had remained faithful was angry that his dad had never allowed him to have a celebration like this. The defining quote in that parable is this:
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
God welcomes all of his children back and treats them equally. He doesn’t play favorites and you can look to the Bible for that.
Enjoy the Tim Tebow experience. He’s a tremendous leader who has driven the Broncos to new heights. It’s ok to celebrate that. Condemning people who don’t believe in him and calling them anti-Christian is a horrible way to respond. People are entitled to opinions. Celebrate Tebow’s play but check the religion at the door. Tebow being Christian is awesome, but remember it has nothing to do with the simple game of football.
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I’m not sure what they teach Catholics, but this is certainly not the teaching of the Bible. The Bible does not teach fatalism, but it does teach that every aspect of nature, life, and history is under the providential care and control of God.
* Psalm 115:3, “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
* Psalm 135:6, “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”
* Isaiah 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;”
* Dan. 4:35, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What hast Thou done?’”
* Prov. 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
* Acts 17:26, “and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation,”
* Psalm 47:1-4, “O Clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth. He subdues peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chooses our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom He loves.”
* Psalm 33:10, “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.”
* Exodus 21:12-13, “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. “But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee.”
* James 4:13-15, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.”
* Exodus 4:11, “And the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”
* Deut. 32:39, “See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded, and it is I who heal; And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”
* 1 Sam. 2:6-7, “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7The Lord makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts.”
* Ecc. 7:13-17, “Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other So that man may not discover anything that will be after him.”
* Isaiah 45:5-7, “I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.”
* Lam. 3:37-38, “Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth?”
* Amos 3:6-7, “If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?”
* Rom. 9:18, “So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”
* Jer. 10:23, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.”
* Prov. 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Your position is Deism, not biblical Christianity. Perhaps you should stick to sports rather than theology.
Although I understand your point of view, I completely disagree with you for a few reasons.
Let me first say that there is no such thing as a Christian celebrity in the Kingdom. Tim is merely a man with the Gospel on his heart. And in all things, do on to the LORD-whether you are a popular quarterback or a checker at Wal-mart. That doesn’t negate the fact that God uses people to get His message out to the lost. In Tebow’s situation, I know God has elevated him for a reason. I only say this because of the uncompromising message Tim has been delivering. His success is a derivative of the Lords purpose. Scripture tells us to judge a tree by its fruit, a good tree cannot produce bad fruit and vice versa. Tim Tebow seems to understand, at least from what he has said, that football is merely leverage for a higher purpose. If he comes with the Gospel message, you had better believe both his success and failures are from the Lord. Maybe, just maybe, God is using Tim Tebow to reach some lost football fans who haven’t given God the time of day until now. I say, AMEN. It is concerning however, with any high profile Christian, the inherent responsibility they have. When they fall, they fall hard, and take many with them. Pray for them. As a fellow Christian, I remind you, pray the “AMEN” (let THY will be done). If it is His will for Tim Tebow being successful in the NFL- AMEN. If it is not- AMEN. But don’t limit God’s ministry to the church. Jesus can call just as many sinners to repent with a servant and 120 yards of grass.
You’re successful, aren’t you?
Do you also believe that God has nothing to do with your success? You’re in error if you do. You may have a strong belief in God, but you should read the Bible more (I’m saying that in love and sincerity).
God’s influence was not for the outcome of he game, but for Tebow. Tebow doesn’t pray to win (according to his interviews), he prays a) that he will do the best he can with the body and ability God gave him and b) that God will get all the glory, win or lose. Since God got His glory, I’d say that was a prayer answered.
Really dude, I could not care less how you feel about Tebow, but I’d suggest you seek a closer walk with Jesus Christ so that you might know the truth. Of course you can reject my counsel, but if you do, please don’t quote the Bible or issues of Christianity anymore…you are not an authority or even a novice in that realm. Stick with what you know.
I agree with Mr. Wells. Refrain from commentary on theology Riley, your knowledge is severely lacking. Stick with sports.
I have to agree with Dave. Stick with writing about sports Riley, theology is WAY above your head.