Tim Tebow makes lukewarm Christians feel bad
Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Denver Broncos
We see football players pointing up into the heavens after scoring a TD, praying that they’re kicker would make a 56 yard field goal for OT win and when a player is lying injured you will find players from both teams on one knee praying for their downed comrade. Another of the many showings of faith is Pittsburg Steelers’ safety, Troy Polamalu, who does “the sign of the cross” all through every game he plays.
So why are the “Haters”, hating on Tim Tebow? Some hate because their anti-Christian self dictates that they hate, but what raises my brow is why Christians hate on Tebow.
I’m astonished but not surprised by the vitriol Tim Tebow is getting from many in the public, media, sports, and sadly, the Christian community. Seeing Christian athletes chastise Tebow for showing his faith concerns me. Hearing Christians fall in line with the anti Christian voice trying to crucify Tebow profoundly concerns me. I’m perplexed to why a Christian, would have a problem with a Christian proudly voicing and showing his Christianity. But I have to remind myself, the lukewarm Christian has always been a nemesis to strong Christians.
Christians hating on Tebow may come down to a simple humanistic trait, self approval.
Tebow makes lukewarm Christians feel bad. Lukewarm Christians don’t want to feel bad and see their Christian self as lacking. To defend oneself from those feelings, lukewarm Christians either keep strong Christian from near them, attempt to corrupt and bring one down to their level (the ole’crabs in a bucket mentality) or do as they’re doing Tebow, and that ‘s minimize, ridicule, mock and belittle. The latter is being used as an attack on not just Tebow but an attack on what all Christians are supposed to be. Those against Christianity DO NOT want number 15 to embolden not one Christian into rededicating themselves to the true word of God and escaping the trappings of secularism.
Remember the popular question, “What Would Jesus Do?” Tebow is doing what Jesus wants Christians to do, and that is to share Gods glory and wisdom to those in front of you. It’s great witnessing “the whole armor of God” at work; Tebow stands amidst all the incoming attacks and take them in with a smile. That’s something we Christian’s should admire and stand behind. It’s also fitting that Tebow wears his full football armor to protect him from those trying to break his play on the field, just as he wears Gods armor to protect him from those trying to break his faith. I’m a fan of anyone letting their light shine.
- Image courtesy of iOwntheWorld.com
This image was passed to me by DarcFalcon; the pic speaks for it self.
I find him to be a true person, rare. He would have done well in a day and age where his beliefs and faith were more socially acceptable to pronounce to the world in the way he does. As it is, he’s going to be hated on a lot. It hasn’t seem to bother him yet though (note the playoff win).
Who would have thought the 1st Amendment would become anti Christian. I believe this is a perfect time for Christians to see that they can be who they are and not feel shame. I hope whether win or lose, Tebow keep doing him.
I enjoy him for him, and though I’m not Christian or even religious, I agree. He shouldn’t be blasted for it, especially in such an open event as the sports arena. It’s how he lives.
Yours is the attitude we all should take and that is respecting what Tim believes and others as well. We dont have to take part in it but should not deny him the right of his beliefs. I commend you on your mature outlook and thinking.
I think we all wish that we could be that committed to our religion.
You are so right, it is how he lives and how we live as well that determine if our faith is real. In the scriptures God says he looks at the heart of a person.
Jeremiah 17: 10
I, the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.
I Samuel 16: 7
Do not look at his outward appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him: For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outwad appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
There are so many other scriptures that relate to God looking at our hearts.
We have made Christianity confusing and difficult with all the theology of people.
The fact is God has made it very simple for us. Why do you think God referred to us to become like CHildren in our faith? Matthew 18:3 Matt: 19:14
Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children in your faith you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. We know how innoccent and trusing a child is.
Thank you for your right on remark.
Tebow is awesome! Love that kid! I root for him every game. And just so you know, I’m a huge Patriots fan too. I figure this weekend, no matter who wins it’s a win-win for me.
He’s just a light that shines and that is a joy to see. I have no doubt that God has great things in store for him and a future ministry that will be so boosted because of his football career.
Before I forget – thought you might like the pic posted at this link:
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=113414
You thought right, I like it so much I added it to the post. The pic speaks a thousand words.
In westernized countries, people have been programmed to think negatively of Christianity but embrace Islam. It doesn’t make any sense.
Excellent post.
As always, You (U) have hit the nail on the head. Those Christians who talk the talk but fail to walk the walk (of which there are many) are incapable of looking at themselves in the mirror. Instead, they hate on Tebow.
I disapprove of the haters labeling Tebow’s humbling himself before God as “Tebowing.” Said label is condescending yet in spite of their efforts, the haters have failed.
I am proud of Tebow as I hold him up to my five and half year old grandson who is also a Christian. I want Josiah to know that there is nothing wrong with the worship of Our Lord and Savior and most definitely nothing to be ashamed of.
This young athlete is not only refreshing but also a great example for all.
P.S. Such an excellent post, I will post and link back. Thanks for sharing your views.
…you can’t really call your grandson a Christian. He hasn’t learned to think for himself and that’s nothing more than a label you’re placing upon him.
I have no intention of engaging you or arguing with you over who or what my grandson may be. He watches football, happens to be a fan of Tim Tebow’s and recognizes that Tebow gives thanks much like himself to God…..PERIOD.
I doubt he has the mental capacity at such a young age to truly understand the depth of what you’re saying he believes in, but okay.
I’m glad Tebow knows and understand his impact on the youth that watch him. People don’t understand how powerful of a message Tebow is giving. With Christians being told constantly, we are old fashioned, backward thinking, stupid, naive, crazy for believing in what we do, it’s good to see someone say in a big way, “I don’t care what you say, I’m a Christian!”
It is not up to you to say.
Evidence is heavily in favor of the vast majority of children that age being unable to understand that which you are propagating.
If we can use Jesus as an example, Jesus was born into Judaism, which made him Jewish. And today, if a child is born to Christian parents, that makes him/her Christian. It’s sort of like birds; baby birds are born with wings but they don’t know why, but with guidance and time they grow to know why.
Birds are born with wings, it’s inseparably part of their bodies and taking away the wings from a bird will deprive of it being what it truly is, a creature of flight (except flightless birds and whatnot, obvious exceptions). Not so with a child. The child is born of Christian parents, but only through indoctrinating your beliefs into said child does he or she become Christian. If the child was exposed to other forms of belief, or was “unlucky” enough to be born into a different family the child would adhere to a different set of values. Taking the child away from the parents still allows the child to become a person; a person without Christian values is still a person. You’re taking something that is a part of every bird and applying it to humans who are not “born” with a belief system in place. Completely different. What you’re basically saying is “my child was born into a Republican family, therefore I have a my baby is Republican.” Again, wrong. They have to make an informed decision for their self on what they become, which is an impossibility for the mental capacities of nearly all five year olds. Therefore the child is a child until he or she comes of an age where they can make a decision for themselves, not have it forced upon them without real consent (real being that they understand what it happening to them).
You’re saying what I’m saying, just in a round-about way. Yes a child is a product of what they are born into and exposed to. In this case, you’re Christian if born into and exposed to Christian belief. You call it indoctrinating but I call it raising your kids as you see fit. Throughout the history of man, by default kids became an extension of their parents, so yes, if I’m Christian, Jewish, Atheist or whatever, that’s what my kid will be, and if they grow seperate, then we’ll deal with it. The bird analogy, I’m simply saying we know more as we grow, that goes with whatever belief you partake in. Hell, life is a constant “indoctrination”, even if you’re a non-believer; your non-belief came from somewhere other than yourself.
Indoctrination, a reasonable argument can be made in regards to human behavior, that indoctrination can be equated to the passing on of values, beliefs, norms and morays, which have been evident since mans early hunter-gatherer years.
I’m definitely not comparing the two, but do you believe one is born gay? We’re way off Tebow, well maybe not, I believe some of the hatred comes from what Tebow’s strong Christian stance may imply to non-believers or lukewarm Christians.
I believe genetic factors do play a part in gayness, but as yet it is unproven. That is my undiagnosed, layperson’s opinion.
You’re making assumptions as to my person. I am an atheist, yes. I also grew up in a strongly Catholic family, went to church, attended Sunday School, and was confirmed in the Church. Nobody taught me about atheism, and indeed I didn’t know the name until years after I decided I didn’t believe in a god of any sort. My non-belief came from myself, no other. I have learned about it through the years, of course, but it wasn’t handed down to me or anything of the nature. That falsifies your argument of everybody being handed down their beliefs, and it also stands to reason that just because you bring your children into your religion doesn’t make it right; following in your parent’s footsteps is a norm but that in no way makes it correct.
jonathan, jonathan, jonathan…, I apologize if it came across that way but my replies are not toward you, they’re toward the general public. I never said you were an atheist; I’m just including that belief system in my assertion.
In the matter of being born gay, your opinion nor mine means nothing. Science and Evolution has proven there is no gay gene in humans, but studies have proven it is the environment that is mostly the cause. I’m actually working a similar study now.
And remember I said, “Hell, life is a constant “indoctrination”, I’m clearly not saying, what you are born into you will remain, so my argument is not “false”. You overly simplified my statements to minimize me.
Anyway, I still agree with you on Tebow. And our Creator has not given up on you, I too strayed but God never took his hands off me. I know this is true because if it were left up to me, I’d be long gone. Til next subject, next time.
Correct on the second and okay, good day to you.