Tim Tebow is a household word among American evangelical Christians. He rose to fame as the quarterback of the Florida Gators and has continued his football fame in the NFL. Not only is Tebow an accomplished football player, though struggling somewhat at the highest level of American Football, the NFL, but has been a very vocal spokesman for evangelical Christianity. His has made clear his support for the pro-life cause in American and has kept his Christian faith front and center in his life and career. Up until now it seemed that he had navigated the difficult combination of fame and the Christian faith pretty well. The pressure may have finally gotten to the young man.
A few days ago he cancelled a speaking engagement scheduled for April 28 at the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas, TX. It's pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress has been a somewhat controversial figure, at least in the eyes of the culture. He has repeatedly taught the "radical" ideas that homosexual activity is a sin against God, that Mormonism is not part of mainline Christianity and that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. These may seem radical in our post-Christian, secular culture but they are at the heart of what evangelical Christians have always believed and taught. There is nothing new here.
In recent weeks there have been calls for Tebow to cancel his plans to speak in that church because of Jeffress "controversial" teaching and stances on the issues mentioned above. Greg Doyel of CBS Sports wrote the following.
"Tim Tebow is about to make the biggest mistake of his life. Tebow has agreed to speak at a hateful Baptist preacher's church, an evangelical cretin named Robert Jeffress." Doyel went on to write, "I'm ashamed to like Tim Tebow now. More specifically, I don't like Tim Tebow now. I can't. Liking him means liking someone who wouldn't just agree with, but would support, Robert Jeffress. And I despise Robert Jeffress."
So much for tolerance! And Doyel was not the only one calling for Tebow to cancel his plans. Others echoed their belief that Tebow was making the mistake of his life by speaking at such a controversial church. Remember, we are talking about First Baptist Church, Dallas. This is one of the most respected churches in the Southern Baptist Convention and in the evangelical Christian world.
To my surprise and great disappointment Tebow has changed his mind. He has apparently yielded to the increasing pressure from those who believe evangelical Christianity is hateful, intolerant and dangerous. I cannot get into the mind of Tim Tebow or know what he is thinking. However, this does not look good. Even his explanatory tweet left more questions than answers.
"While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention I have decided to cancel my upcoming appearance. I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those needing a brighter day. Thank you for all of your love and support. God Bless!"
The language of that tweet does not make me feel better about his decision. He mentioned "new information" that came to his attention. That raises the question, "what new information?" He certainly was not unaware of Jeffress' teaching. If that was the issue, then it raises even more questions in my mind. Does Tebow really want to distance himself from teaching that homosexuality is wrong and that Jesus is the only way to salvation?
It must be extremely difficult to be in Tebow's position. He is certainly the target not only of a secular culture that wants him to fail, but of forces that are unseen to human eyes. I am disappointed, but not discouraged. As his brother in Christ, I am praying for him to be steadfast and immovable in his faith regardless of the attacks which come.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
I read Romans 3 this morning. Actually I heard it through my Bible app while walking early this morning, then read it the old fashioned way when I got to the office. I was struck by the following words.
"There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God. All have turned aide, together they have become useless. There is none who does good. There is not even one." "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
What a negative way to describe the human race. We don't understand. We are not righteous. We do not seek for God. We have all turned aside. We are useless. None of us does good. We have all sinned. We all fall short of the glory of God.
Feel better? I rather doubt it. But that is fine. The purpose of Scripture is not to make you feel good, but to give you the truth. No truth is more important than the truth that we are sinners . . . rotten to the core . . . separated from God . . . with no ability to become good enough to impress God.
Unfortunately this is a forgotten truth in America. At every turn we are told how good we are. We are encouraged to think positively about ourselves. We are learning to blame our failures on external things outside of our control. We look in the mirror only to reinforce the cultural message that we are so wonderful.
The Bible is a different kind of mirror. When we gaze deep into it we see a reflection not of skin, eyes or hair, but of the heart, with all of its sinfulness. This mirror cuts through the outward clutter and shows us just where we stand in relation to the God who created us. This mirror humbles us, breaks us, changes us.
This mirror points us to Christ. This mirror leads us to salvation. This mirror reminds us of just how dependent we are on Christ. This mirror is truth. All others are but an illusion.
"There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God. All have turned aide, together they have become useless. There is none who does good. There is not even one." "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
What a negative way to describe the human race. We don't understand. We are not righteous. We do not seek for God. We have all turned aside. We are useless. None of us does good. We have all sinned. We all fall short of the glory of God.
Feel better? I rather doubt it. But that is fine. The purpose of Scripture is not to make you feel good, but to give you the truth. No truth is more important than the truth that we are sinners . . . rotten to the core . . . separated from God . . . with no ability to become good enough to impress God.
Unfortunately this is a forgotten truth in America. At every turn we are told how good we are. We are encouraged to think positively about ourselves. We are learning to blame our failures on external things outside of our control. We look in the mirror only to reinforce the cultural message that we are so wonderful.
The Bible is a different kind of mirror. When we gaze deep into it we see a reflection not of skin, eyes or hair, but of the heart, with all of its sinfulness. This mirror cuts through the outward clutter and shows us just where we stand in relation to the God who created us. This mirror humbles us, breaks us, changes us.
This mirror points us to Christ. This mirror leads us to salvation. This mirror reminds us of just how dependent we are on Christ. This mirror is truth. All others are but an illusion.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Scouts are in Trouble
The Boy Scouts are in trouble. Last summer the Boy Scouts of America affirmed its policy of excluding openly gay men as leaders. In doing so they were upholding a policy that it had affirmed for generations. A committee of eleven members conducted a two-year study and unanimously concluded that homosexuality was counter to the Scout's oath on morality.
On January 28, 2013 the Scouts announced their intention to revisit this issue and likely change its policy to allow gays to participate as members and leaders in the Boy Scouts. Keep in mind that this was just six months after spokesman Deron Smith announced that the decision made last summer to maintain the ban was "absolutely the best policy for the Boy Scouts."
In a U.S. Supreme Court decision as recently as 2000 it was made clear that the Boy Scouts had a constitutional right to set its own membership standards. However, the Boy Scout leadership appears to be on the precipice of stepping off of a moral cliff that will doom the Boy Scouts of America.
On Sunday afternoon just before the Super Bowl, President Obama was asked if he believed gays should be allowed membership and leadership positions in the Boy Scouts. Without hesitation he reply in the affirmative. He went on to say, "my attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunities, the same way as everyone else does, in every institution and walk of life.” (Emphasis mine)
Think about that statement for a moment. In its immediate context he is saying that he does not believe the Boy Scouts of America, a private organization, have the right to determine the guidelines for their own membership. That is a freedom issue. But in a broader sense, think about his statement. He believes gays and lesbians should have equal access and opportunities in "every institution and walk of life."
That my friends, is a frightening statement, reflecting an equally frightening position. Every church is an institution. Every religious college and seminary is an institution. Every missionary sending agency is an institution. Let the ramifications of that sink in for a few moments.
The Boy Scouts are in trouble. This wonderful organization taught me to "be prepared." It reinforced moral principles that were being taught in my home and church. It offered practical lessons of life and helped prepare me for manhood.
I cherish the memories of my scouting experiences. I remember the night when I was "tapped out" as an Order of the Arrow candidate. I appreciate the men who modeled manhood and encouraged my progress toward responsible adulthood. I am grateful for the the principles and convictions that undergirded scouting and added to my own moral development.
The Boy Scouts are in trouble. The cultural war on values is about to claim another victim. I grieve for generations of young men who will miss what I had.
On January 28, 2013 the Scouts announced their intention to revisit this issue and likely change its policy to allow gays to participate as members and leaders in the Boy Scouts. Keep in mind that this was just six months after spokesman Deron Smith announced that the decision made last summer to maintain the ban was "absolutely the best policy for the Boy Scouts."
In a U.S. Supreme Court decision as recently as 2000 it was made clear that the Boy Scouts had a constitutional right to set its own membership standards. However, the Boy Scout leadership appears to be on the precipice of stepping off of a moral cliff that will doom the Boy Scouts of America.
On Sunday afternoon just before the Super Bowl, President Obama was asked if he believed gays should be allowed membership and leadership positions in the Boy Scouts. Without hesitation he reply in the affirmative. He went on to say, "my attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunities, the same way as everyone else does, in every institution and walk of life.” (Emphasis mine)
Think about that statement for a moment. In its immediate context he is saying that he does not believe the Boy Scouts of America, a private organization, have the right to determine the guidelines for their own membership. That is a freedom issue. But in a broader sense, think about his statement. He believes gays and lesbians should have equal access and opportunities in "every institution and walk of life."
That my friends, is a frightening statement, reflecting an equally frightening position. Every church is an institution. Every religious college and seminary is an institution. Every missionary sending agency is an institution. Let the ramifications of that sink in for a few moments.
The Boy Scouts are in trouble. This wonderful organization taught me to "be prepared." It reinforced moral principles that were being taught in my home and church. It offered practical lessons of life and helped prepare me for manhood.
I cherish the memories of my scouting experiences. I remember the night when I was "tapped out" as an Order of the Arrow candidate. I appreciate the men who modeled manhood and encouraged my progress toward responsible adulthood. I am grateful for the the principles and convictions that undergirded scouting and added to my own moral development.
The Boy Scouts are in trouble. The cultural war on values is about to claim another victim. I grieve for generations of young men who will miss what I had.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)