Do you want to know why the Eagles cut Tim Tebow? Or why the Patriots and Jets didn’t keep him on their roster? Or why the Broncos traded him?
It’s not because of his quarterback skills (or lack thereof, depending on who you ask). From a purely statistical perspective, Tim Tebow is better than most 3rd string quarterbacks and many 2nd string quarterbacks in the NFL.
It is also not the media frenzy that follow Tim Tebow wherever he goes, though this is part of it.
The real reason that the Eagles cut Tim Tebow is because Tim Tebow believes that his purpose on a football team is to evangelize his teammates and the coaching staff. Every time he gets a camera in his face, he starts talking about Jesus and giving glory to God for letting him play football.
But NFL Coaches don’t put people on their team to give them a platform to share their religious ideas. Nor do they put people on their team to share their political ideas. Or to sell their branded merchandise.
Imagine what would happen if an NFL football player, every time he got a camera in his face, said, “I’m just glad I get to play this game because it gives me the opportunity to tell you about my line of t-shirts and hats. Go to my store today to buy one!” No NFL coach in the league wants someone like that on their team.
NFL Coaches put players on their teams to win football games.
In the locker room, in team meetings, in coaching meetings, on the field, and in front of the cameras, Tim Tebow was always talking about Jesus and inviting people to believe in Jesus, and on and on and on.
It’s not about Tim Tebow getting more reps in the CFL. If Chip Kelly really believed that all Tim Tebow needed to become an NFL-quality QB was more reps, Kelly could have given that to Tebow in practices. No, that excuse is a smoke-screen. Kelly can’t come out and say he cut Tebow because Tebow spent half his time practicing and the other half proselyting, because the religious right in this country would scream and yell about religious discrimination.
But it’s not religious discrimination. It’s about not doing your job because of your religion. (Like the clerk in Kentucky who won’t issue marriage licenses … If she can’t do her job for religious reasons, that’s fine, but then she needs to quit her job.)
If Tim Tebow wants to play in the NFL as a quarterback, here is my recommendation to him: “Tim, stop praying after you score a touchdown. Stop putting “John 3:16” in your eye black. Stop giving thanks to Jesus whenever you win a game.”
I agree with Jake Plummer, who, in 2011, gave Tebow the best advice, but which Tebow never heeded. Jake Plummer said this:
“I wish he’d just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates,” Plummer said, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. “I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ then I think I’ll like him a little better. I don’t hate him because of that, I just would rather not have to hear that every time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff.”
I can hear the Christian outrage already.
What? You want Tim Tebow to stop witnessing? You want him to stop thanking God for his successes? We’re not supposed to be ashamed of the Gospel! With all the murders and wife-beaters in the NFL, it’s nice to have a good Christian role model for a change, and you want him to just shut up about his faith in Jesus?! What kind of heathen heretic are you, anyway?
Yes, well, hear me out.
I am thrilled that Tim Tebow is outspoken about his faith. Notice that I never said anything about him hiding the fact that he’s an evangelical Christian.
But Tim Tebow is making a basic mistake about witnessing, which is the same mistake a lot of Christians make.
Lots of Christians think that if they gain some sort of prominence in the public sphere, this means that they are responsible for using their position or their prominence as a platform to witness to other people.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
If a Christian becomes the CEO of a large corporation, God has not put him or her in that position so that they can witness to all the employees of the corporation, shout “Praise Jesus!” whenever they land a big account, or open up all their board meetings with prayer. God does not raise up Christians to places of prominence so they can cram Christianity down other people’s throats.
No, the person in a position of power or prominence is there so they can be the best CEO possible. They may include (but is not limited to) providing good wages and fair treatment to employees, and operating the business with honesty, transparency, and generosity. It means running the business in an ethical way, with creativity and imagination.
I hate it when well-meaning Christians tell powerful, prominent, rich Christians that “God raised you up for such a time as this.” Then they are told that God raised them up so they can hand out gospel tracts to their employees, or take a stand for “biblical marriage,” or some such nonsense.
I hear such things, I just want to barf.
If God raised someone up to be a CEO (which is debatable), then it was not to hand out gospel tracts or take a stand for “biblical marriage,” but is for the purpose of being the best CEO they can possibly be. If God really raised a person up to be a CEO of a company, it would be for the purpose of showing the world how a business can successfully be run according to the principles and values of the Kingdom of God rather than the principles of the rulers of this world. Same goes for politics, music, art, and sports.
This brings us back to Tim Tebow.
If God truly raised up Tim Tebow to be an NFL quarterback (which is debatable), then it was not so that Tim could announce his Christian faith by praying in the End Zone and praising Jesus at press conferences. No, God raised up Tim Tebow to be a quarterback so that he can be the best quarterback Tim Tebow can be. Period.
If Tim Tebow wants to be a quarterback in the NFL, he needs to be an NFL quarterback; not a missionary quarterback. Not a prophet quarterback. Not a “God’s spokesman” quarterback. Just a quarterback. He needs to work hard, throw the ball, and run the ball. And he must do it all with honesty, integrity, and a good work ethic both on and off the field.
Someone needs to tell Tim Tebow that the NFL stage is not for proclaiming the Gospel but for playing football.
If you still disagree with me, let me make one more point.
When Tim Tebow played for the Denver Broncos and knelt to give thanks to God every time he scored, what exactly was the message he was proclaiming to all who watched him? I think Tim Tebow thought he was showing everybody that he was thankful to God.
But thankful for what?
For letting Tim play football in the NFL?
If that is the case, what about all the other Christian quarterbacks who also wanted to play in the NFL but never had the chance? Does God love Tim Tebow more? Does God hear his prayers more? Is Tim Tebow more faithful than those other quarterbacks?
Or maybe the prayers of Tim Tebow were his way of giving thanks to God for scoring a touchdown?
But again, if this is the case, what does this tell the Christian players on the opposing team’s defense? Does Tim think that God heard his own prayers and ignored those of the Christians on the defense? If Tim threw an interception, would he like it if the opposing team knelt down to thank God for Tim’s bad pass?
Here’s the point: Whatever Tim Tebow’s motives might be (and I think they are pure), his prayers on the field tell the world that God hears and answers the prayers of some people more than those of others. This further implies that everybody who doesn’t seem to have the success, money, or fame that Tim Tebow has, must have less faith than Tim, or maybe God just doesn’t love them as much as He apparently loves Tim.
I really, really doubt that this is the message Tim wants to send when he kneels to pray in the end zone.
Which is why I encourage Tim to stop praying on the football field.
And the “John 3:16” on his eye lids needs to go as well, for the same reasons. If he wants to invite people to believe in Jesus for eternal life, let him do it in one of his numerous speaking engagements, or in personal conversations with friends off the field. But when he’s on the field, this is not the time to share the gospel, but to live the gospel by being the most hard-working, honest, ethical, cheerful, and dependable quarterback he can possibly be.
And this will be a good example to the rest of us about how to be a Christian in this world. I am not a good Christian if I refuse to do my work because I have to pray for 15 minutes out of every hour “in order to show my coworkers how good of a Christian I am.” I am not a good Christian if I refuse to work with certain coworkers because they have a lifestyle I disapprove of. I am not a good Christian if I show up late for work because “my morning devotions went too long.”
Look, we Christians are not good Christian witnesses when we stop doing the things we should be doing because we want to “be a witness.” No, we are good Christian witnesses when we work hard at being the best we can be in whatever job or position we find ourselves.
Christian witnessing is not accomplished by trying to be a witness.
Christian witnessing is accomplished by living life the best we can and loving others in the process as much as we are able. When we do this, we naturally become a witness to how a life looks that is transformed by God.
So if Tim Tebow truly want to follow his lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback, I suggest he lose the Christian circus. This begins with letting his passing, not his praying, do the talking.
I couldn’t agree more….
I love this
I think many many exemples in the Old Testament show that God used people to be confident and open to their faith and the superiority of God vs other gods.
The book of Daniel is a great account of it.
There is no reason that it should be different in the NT.
My advice, pray for this guy and other CEO and understand that God leads people in a personal manner so who are we to judge answer think we are doing a better job at advancing the Gospel.
I have to respectively disagree with you and anyone who says Tim Tibow should cease his public profession of Faith. Did not Jesus tell us that if we are ashamed to confess Him that he will be ashamed of us before His Father. Luke 9:26 “For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words, of Him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His Own Glory, and of His Father’s and of the Holy Angels. But I tell you of a Truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they shall see the Kingdom of God.”
No one can honestly judge Tim Tiboe of being a “grandstander.” At great threat to him, he is despised for his pubic demonstration of his Faith. Satan gnashes his teeth when he witnesses such a public demonstration of faith.I am disappointed that this website would place such suggestion in the minds of weak Christians. It make me wonder are you really Christians, or are you among those who will stand before Jesus in that day and He will say “Not every one who says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the Will of my Father which in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not Prophesied in Your Name? and in your Name have cast out devils? and in your Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me you who work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.
At the very least we should encourage Christians to not be ashamed of God and Christ, and take every opportunity to proclaim their Faith in Him!
Because Jesus said, ‘If you love me, you will give me tons of lip-service’?
BOOM. Game over. We have a WINNER!
I have a question for those that agree with this article. Are you also against the players protesting? If you agree with this article you should be. He is pushing his faith and they are pushing their politics.
I am. Tim Tebow is a GREAT witness for Jesus off the field. Those who want to protest should find creative and helpful ways to do this off the field as well.
Well said! Thank you for pointing out that it is the same for either -a Christian, Jewish, Atheist,anti-whatever or pro-whatever! If you are hired to do a job, then that is what is required not less or more. Just the job!! I love the Lord Jesus Christ an I will witness for him by being the best person I can be, please people leave your personal opinions outside the workplace. Those who are interested in your message know who you are, they can ask you for themselves.
Tebow can be an excellent witness for Christ in his position. But scripture teaches against public demonstrations of piety. There is plenty of time to pray in the locker room. Praying on the field just strikes me as grand-standing. As for the John 3:16 bit… If you know what it means, you don’t need to see it. If you don’t, seeing it won’t help. As for CEO’s… We are taught in scripture to give of our excess to those who are in need. Perhaps CEO’s are meant to be charitable (to their employees in the form of good wages or to others) not evangelical.
You nailed my sentiments exactly.
😉
I could not agree more (with the entirety of the article and this comment.) When I see that praying in the end zone (or other demonstrations like that from others, besides Tebow) Matthew 6:6 comes to mind!
Yeah, about those CEOs. If they truly want to be a witness, they should be taking care of their employees by [1] paying them a living wage and [2] supporting them with health care, not trying to run their lives by denying it because they personally don’t believe in birth control ***AHEM HOBBY LOBBY, all you had to do was voice your objection and step aside, and the provider would absorb the cost, but NOOOOOOOOOO, you thought you knew better & said I FORBID YOU TO HAVE IT so your employees lost out on ALL health care, nice work in the name of the Great Physician*** or firing them because they get pregnant BECAUSE you didn’t let them have birth control…
[Again, I apologize if this is a double hit, and please feel free to delete it if it is – for some reason my Firefox REALLY hates your captchas!]
Tebow has a bigger problem, he’s not a good quarterback.
I personally think he will surprise a lot of critics.
Well, he was signed with the Pats last year for a short time during preseason and they seem to be pretty good talent evaluators and they cut him, Jets cut him, Denver cut him. I just don’t think he’s got the NFL stuff, but you never know!
Yes. But one thing I think he has which I see lacking in other starting QBs is a hard work ethic to correct his weaknesses. So, we’ll see…
Stop wearing that stuff on your shirt sleeve and JUST DO IT!!
I have an idea, just leave the man alone! it’s a free country! He can do whatever he wants!
That’s true. He can.
Your whole article is just a judgment of the motives of others, kinda holier than thou if you get my drift.
“Lots of Christians think that if they gain some sort of prominence in the public sphere, this means that they are responsible for using their position or their prominence as a platform to witness to other people.” How do you know that?
The next four paragraphs are just your imaginative suppositions, no substance or examples just a hollow reinforcement of your premise.
“This brings us back to Tim Tebow.” “If God truly raised up Tim Tebow to be an NFL quarterback (which is debatable), then it was not so that Tim could announce his Christian faith by praying in the End Zone and praising Jesus at press conferences. No, God raised up Tim Tebow to be a quarterback so that he can be the best quarterback Tim Tebow can be. Period.”
First off God raises us all up to be where we are and gives us the talents and openings to be where we are.
Who are you to say otherwise,
maybe God delights in Tim Tebow? he’s not cow towing to the world, he’s passionate about his God, looks like anyway. He doesn’t seem to be ashamed of the only Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
“If Tim Tebow wants to be a quarterback in the NFL, he needs to be an NFL quarterback; not a missionary quarterback. Not a prophet quarterback. Not a “God’s spokesman” quarterback. Just a quarterback. He needs to work hard, throw the ball, and run the ball. And he must do it all with honesty, integrity, and a good work ethic both on and off the field.”
Again who are you to judge what God wants out of His servants? All the prophets made fools of themselves in the eyes of the world and the religious establishment…take a clue there.
“Someone needs to tell Tim Tebow that the NFL stage is not for proclaiming the Gospel but for playing football.”
You are wrong about that for sure. All stages in this life are opportunites for proclaiming the Gospel, just ask Paul who used every circumstance to do just that.
“I think Tim Tebow thought he was showing everybody that he was thankful to God.
But thankful for what?
For letting Tim play football in the NFL?
If that is the case, what about all the other Christian quarterbacks who also wanted to play in the NFL but never had the chance? Does God love Tim Tebow more? Does God hear his prayers more? Is Tim Tebow more faithful than those other quarterbacks?”
Speculating on motives again, both Tim and God. Maybe Tim really does just love Jesus and is passionate about Him and isn’t afraid to let it all out, not cover it up.
“Whatever Tim Tebow’s motives might be (and I think they are pure), his prayers on the field tell the world that God hears and answers the prayers of some people more than those of others. This further implies that everybody who doesn’t seem to have the success, money, or fame that Tim Tebow has, must have less faith than Tim, or maybe God just doesn’t love them as much as He apparently loves Tim.”
If you think they are so pure then why are you questioning them at every turn? This whole article is an embarrassing judgment of Tim Tebows motives, when he could just be a simple passionate dude…yeah like the prophets of old and some of us today.
“His prayers on the field tell the world that God hears and answers the prayers of some people more than those of others.” Umm really? Hasn’t Tim been out of the NFL for a bit?
Tim Tebow is just a simple Christian man, thanking Jesus and living this life one time for all it’s worth.
And I’m proud of him.
Good stuff man, thanks.
Some break ground, some plant, some water, some harvest
Agreed
I’m waiting for the article with the headline that reads “People Who Have A Problem With Tebow Praying Should Just GET OVER IT Or Look The Other Way”
Plus there’s also the whole “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who [do it in the end zone and for the NFL cameras], praying so they can be seen by the people. Amen! I promise you all, they got their credit.” [Jesus, Mt 6.5]
Much as Tebow may think he’s being a great Christian witness, public prayers are far too easy to misinterpret as putting on a show, false piety, and hypocrisy. It doesn’t move pagans to do likewise; it only moves them to mock. Nor does it even move Christians to do likewise; it only moves us to say, “Well, good for him,” yet not change our prayer lives any.
I utterly and completely disagree with you. I am proud that Tim Tebow testifies to his faith wherever he is. I am delighted that Tim Tebow is not afraid to be a Christian and be seen as a Christian. I believe all of us should be as naturally obvious as he is. He is not cramming anything down anyone’s throat. He is simply being himself. If someone sees him praying, how is that forcing anything on anyone else? Nobody else is required to pray with him. I believe he is a real person who is faking nothing. I believe the rest of the Christians ought to do the same.
Some of us are not as demonstrative in our lives as others. So be it. It is bad enough that atheists object to Tim Tebow’s public testimony. Christians ought not to join in the hue and cry.
When you shoot an arrow, do you want the arrow to turn around & ‘give you glory’ if it hits the bullseye? And–if it’s busy thanking you all the time–don’t you worry it might be so preoccupied that it might miss your next ‘aim’ for it?
I’ve heard several people laugh about Tebow because “he thinks he makes touchdowns because he has God in his pocket” (as one fellow said). This would be akin to carrying your lucky rabbit’s foot.
Of course he has the right to do as he pleases. However, this kind of behavior does tend to send strange messages. I see it as a variety of the prosperity Gospel. God will prosper us, help our team win, help us make touchdowns, get good jobs and promotions and so on. When our spouse leaves us, our child dies, we lose our job and end up on the street that proves this God thing doesn’t work, so maybe God is fake or maybe he doesn’t like us. Let’s chuck God onto the garbage heap.
Isn’t this actually one variation of “folk theology” that tends to originate in certain regions of the country?
If Tim Tebow (whoever he is) was indeed put there by God to proclaim the message like that, then who are we to criticise? Does anyone here listen in on Mr Tebow’s prayers and God’s answers to know better? I’m not brave enough to criticise the way someone else walks with God. I hope he wouldn’t criticise me for not doing a version of what he does.
So other quarterbacks (whatever they are – we have different sports here) might not do as well (or they might do better, but without the publicity). So what? Life’s full of someone else doing better, being better, getting more. He’s publicly grateful for what he has. Good on him.
So moving on to other occupations: should a CEO use their position to proclaim the gospel (with words)? Well, yes, if that’s what they’re called to (by God, not by other people telling them what to do). Otherwise no. Just do a good job and let God sort out the rest.
From what I see he does live it AND wear it on his sleeve.
Yes, I agree.
My suggestion is to keep being TIm…God seems to bless it.
Maybe HIS god … Our Brother said to pray in our private rooms behind shut doors.
Mostly, I think he probably needs more talent. Good kid, not physically talented enough to be an NFL QB.
Why does he omit the “1” before “John”?
Regardless, most Non-Christians today have no idea of what 1 John 3:16 refers to.
Because Tebow’s reference is in The Gospel of John, not ‘The First Letter of John’: “‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ‘”; not “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ” (Thou the latter is also good to know, it’s not the Churchy understanding of the gospel—that ‘Christ died so’s we don’t gotta!’)
I don’t know much about Tebow. I’m not a fan of American football. One question though, how can you tell if he is putting up an evangelical show or if it is a genuine appreciation from his heart towards Jesus? What if he genuinely cares more about Jesus than being a left-back on the team? What if the John 3:16 on his eyelids is for himself (to ‘help’ him always see through the eyes of love I guess), and not for evangelism? As I said, I don’t follow him and maybe he has made public declarations that answer these questions.
Diligence, hard work, and respect should always be encouraged. It gets slippery when we try to control how one’s love for Jesus is expressed because it becomes no different from the control mentality of religious bodies. God is not an insecure jerk. He handled Saul’s expression of his love for Him. He can handle Tebow.
Pastor Myers is trying to protect us sheep from the misconceptions that ‘public praise/prayer’ slips into our perception—specifically, the misconception that ‘the kneeling-etc.’ makes him MORE-CHRISTIAN than the saints who score touchdowns for God (in that field and other fields) and -DON’T waste time paying him lip-service.
If you think his ‘kneeling’ is his connection-to-God, you probably think a person is more-Christian if they hang two rosaries around their neck instead of just one …
Dear Pastor J, do you know Tebow in person? I am no one to discern what is in his heart. His kneeling may not make him “more christian” (whatever the heck that means) in the Father’s eyes, but to him, Tebow, he may be acting according to his faith, thus honoring the Father. Father sees the heart, and He is faithful to raise him to maturity. Unless his team gets penalised each time he does that, I don’t see any reason for him to stop.
Permit me tell you a story. I grew up in Africa, and when I was little, there was this lovely Roman Catholic grandmother who was a friend of the family. She would always come to the house and pray with us almost on a daily basis. And yes, she had more than two rosaries with her at any given moment. She prayed on the streets, in church, in the market; and she would pray for anybody who gave her the permission to. From what I learned from her grand kids, she also prayed behind closed doors. She LOVED Jesus. She planted a seed in my heart which is still producing bearing fruits to this day. Only God knows where I would be in my faith walk today if I called her prayers “lip service”.
That said, Pastor, I REFUSE to look upon someone I don’t know in person and assume his prayers are lip service just because it is against the “religion of Grace”.
For those quick to quote scripture supporting Tebow’s public display of passion… Jesus also said “But when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
I’m not saying Tebow is praying in public “just to be seen,” but we’ve confused proclaiming faith with displays of showmanship, (genuine or not). And the issue here isn’t about passionately proclaiming the gospel vs. not proclaiming the gospel. The issue is about the WAY it is proclaimed. For today’s culture, painting a verse on your face and praying over touchdowns is about as effective as knocking on a stranger’s door handing out tracks.
As for the suffering Tebow endures for his “Christian witness”… let’s stop being a self-induced martyr simply to prove you follow Jesus, and simply follow Jesus. His actions off the field will speak loudest to those he’s in contact with, and be a much more authentic way to prove he’s “not ashamed.”
I agree for-the-most-part, but you’re perpetuating the myth that prayers are “work-orders on God’s docket, that he’ll get around-to if we pay him well-enough.” God is Eternal. I’m sure you know this; I’m just reminding you. “ETERNAL.” It means (or it’s meaning reminds me) that God DOES NOT EXIST IN A LINEAR WAY—he’s not “waiting for us to get to him”; he’s ALREADY THERE. And he’s ALSO ‘everywhere we expect to find him.’ If we want him to be somewhere we DON’T expect him, that’s one of those times when ‘his answer is “no.”‘
Maybe Tebow also praises God everytime his opponent scores a touchdown! I dunno; are the cameras ON HIM *every* time he prays?
Wouldn’t change a thing about Tim Tebow
I’m very disappointed in “professing” Christians who attempt to judge Tim Tebow. Unless you know what is really in his heart (and you don’t) then lay off of him and examine your own heart. Good knows we need more people who are not ashamed to publicly acknowledge God through Jesus Christ. The day may well come when Tim Tebow will be forbidden by law to kneel and pray in public. So be thankful he and others still have the right to do what they feel lead of God to do!
[NOTE: If this is a duplicate, please feel free to delete it. I’m not spamming – the captcha keeps hanging up & I’m not sure things are getting through. :- ]
“Christian witnessing is not accomplished by trying to be a witness. Christian witnessing is accomplished by living life the best we can and loving others in the process as much as we are able. When we do this, we naturally become a witness to how a life looks that is transformed by God.”
Amen. Acting out like this is not a “witness.” It’s a stunt. It says “LOOK AT ME! ME! ME! I’M PRAYING!!!”
And it looks really, REALLY silly – as evidenced by the fact that Philly pretzel makers started making pretzels shaped like a kneeling dude as soon as he hit town. *facepalm*
Jesus says, “When you pray, go into your closet, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” He also tells us to let our light shine through our good works [not our public piety] because those will give those around us reasons to “glorify [our] Father who is in Heaven.” No, that’s not “works righteousness” – good works are the natural outgrowth and surest sign of a living faith.
Further thoughts:
I’m a Preacher’s Kid (American Baptist), and I surely purely didn’t grow up with this kind of acting out. My dad was a social worker and community organizer who went about doing good because it was the right thing to do & not throwing his religion in people’s faces. It was no secret that he was a Rev – even after he went back to work as a machinist (where they kidded him like crazy) – but he never made a show of it and didn’t have much time for those who did.
We went to church on Sundays and said grace before meals (only at home with the immediate family, not in restaurants or with extended family/friends), but other than that we weren’t a particulary “religious” family (aside from not doing all the “stuff good Baptists don’t do,” but we didn’t preach about that either). We were taught to think of prayer as Jesus did – something you did often, but as a private conversation, not a public display.
Maybe it’s because I take after him so much temperamentally (bookish hardcore introvert) and theologically (I absorbed a lot of that from his seminary student days when I was 10-13 years old, but I’m more radical in a lot of ways – for instance, he was a bit of a prude and I know I’m more “morally liberal”), but all that public heart-on-sleeve stuff just makes my skin crawl.
I must say, I am gratified that Tim is not ashamed of Jesus — a rare quality.
When an athlete prays, often he is praying for discipline, and the ability to do his best, which, if he does, and still loses, he would do well to thank God for the personal improvement; nevertheless, play to win.
Yes, a Christian should “live” the life in conformity to the image of Christ everyday; however, the writer of this article wants to muzzle what is apparently natural to Tim. Being a great guy, in and of itself, will not point people to Jesus; it will
point people to his ego.
Should Stephen, the first Christian martyr, have shut his mouth when he saw the Lord in His glory? After all, he was just a waiter; but he was moved by the Spirit.
These days, which are approaching to consummation of the age, how often do you see really convicted Christians unashamed of the name of Christ? Tim is not sinning by his actions, so he’s okay in my book.
When Jesus spoke about praying quietly, He was referencing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, and those who did not practice what the preached. I don’t see Tim that way.
I have never heard Tim Tebow state that success in the NFL is linked to his faith or piety. He has been out of the NFL for two years, and still praises God any chance he gets.
What his testimony shows, both on and off the field, is that he has great love for God. I suggest some of those making judgements about Tim Tebow’s public faith, read about his life story, and read about all the good he does off the field.
Tim Tebow is a light shining in the darkness. The NFL currently has a huge publicity problem with players who drive drunk and kill innocents, players who beat their wives, who carry guns, who use drugs…this is the culture they excuse. Yet in this cesspool they can’t find room for a man who is so in love with God he cannot stop praising Him on and OFF the field? The NFL needs more Tim Tebows, not less.
The American Christian culture has embraced the world, has closed their mouths to sharing the gospel. Too many American Christians do not have oil in their lamps, and do not share a public testimony. To further compound the suppression of the public testimony, there is a strong movement of the social gospel going on in America which teaches that we must show the love of God in deed and not in word.
You said that Tim Tebow should not focus on his public faith, and instead should focus on being the best NFL quarterback he can be…why the false choice? This is akin to Obama saying either you accept the Iran deal, or we have war. False choice. Tim Tebow can give all he can on the field, and he can be a public witness at the same time.
If anything Tim Tebow is the opposite of the prosperity movement who teach that God brings His children success if they obey Him. Tim Tebow has failed in many ways, and will most likely fail this time as well, yet God has elevated him so as to share his loveof God to the world. How many prominant figures in the bible also follwed this pattern? God uses failures mightily.
Just found this blog and I enjoy many of Jeremy’s posts. I also hear what he’s saying here and can respect his perspective. However, in my humble opinion, Tim Tebow did not violate any scripture by any of the actions mentioned here. In fact, it may be his way of fulfilling the commands he has read in scripture: praying without ceasing….in all things give thanks… I agree with not judging his motives. Maybe God convicted him and gave him this mission, to express his faith this way. If I were to rebuke him, it’s possible by doing so I could be interfering with God’s vision for his life. Also Mathew 6:6, I don’t read that the same way everyone else does here. In context, Jesus said that about a certain group of people, in a different time when they would actually be esteemed if they were seen praying. That’s not the case today. People don’t pray in public to be rewarded. If you pray in public, in the United States you open yourself up to ridicule, scorn, mockery, the object of jokes, funny looks. Rather than a command in Mathew 6:6, it’s historical narrative that we can read and learn from, but applying it might be a little trickier than it seems at first glance.
I agree that he isn’t necessarily violating Scripture. I just think there might be better ways for him to glorify God and be a witness to the watching world. Of course, a lot of these other ways he is already doing, so I am not trying to criticize him there either… I really like Tim Tebow, and I really hope he gets a spot on the Eagle’s roster, and then goes on to become one of the great NFL QBs.
Anyway, as you say, Matthew 6:6 is quite tricky to apply.
I don’t have any problem with Tim Tebow at all. By the way, we’re living in a world in which shame and guilt no longer exist as long what you are after bring you pleasure and some satisfaction. So we have hommosexuals who are not even ashamed about exposing and defending their own sinful lifestyle publicly why should a Christian be ashamed about displaying His faith in Christ publicly? If those who are practicing evil are not even bothered to do it openly, I don’t see why a Christian should be ashamed about doing something relating to his/her faith in Christ.
It’s not about being ashamed. He is proud of his Christianity, and should be. It’s about understanding why he is on the football field and what message he is sending when he thanks God for scoring touchdowns.
Not a football fan, or a Christian fan, so I liked your perspective. There is a time a place for everything. I’m always unimpressed with folks that have to flaunt their religion or ‘try’ and impress others with their faith.
Yes, it does nobody any good to impress others with prayers or piety.
It is really about being a witness rather than just witnessing. There are plenty believers in the NFL that let their lives and their love for their fellow players be a witness. There is a time to share, but I understand your point and Jake Plummer’s. I enjoyed the heck out of his play with the Broncos. He is a winner, but it is getting a little late in his career.
Do you feel the same about so called Black Lives matter , look at what
They are doing to the NFL
What!? Black Lives Matter has nothing to do with the NFL. You can be a black player and protest police on black violence w/out belonging to BLM. I’ve not once heard Kapernick say he was representing BLM…only himself. You know what happens when you Assume.
Jeremy, why can’t you come up with something I disagree with; try harder, will ya? However…….Mr. Tebow is walking in the faith he’s got; which, no doubt, will increase in ‘wisdom towards those who are without’.
Thanks Peter! I keep waiting for one of these NFL teams to sign Tebow. With all the QB injuries and second-string QBs that are terrible, you would think a team would give him a shot. Oh well.
You are right that we are all on our journey of faith, and are all (hopefully) increasing in wisdom in how we live this faith toward others.
Jeremy Myers: your article, in my opinion, is more of a slam in Tim’s face than getting passed over by coach Rex Ryan or getting cut the way he did by coach Kelly. You say you’re not judging, but this entire article does just that! Are you so obtuse as to not realize this aims entirely at his motives, thus condemning his heart? You, in essence, call Tim Tebow an ignorant ambassador and a bad witness for Christ. How can you do ANY of those things? Are you Christ Himself? Do you have authority over Tebow’s heart?
Christ “gained prominence in the public sphere.” Are we going to second-guess Him as well? Guess who else gained prominence in the public sphere: Paul. Jeremiah. Elijah. Moses (pretty public sphere, taking on the greatest ruler of the greatest empire at that time, eh?). The list is long, so I’ll stop there.
Daniel prayed openly, even defying a king’s decree to do it. Did that make his sensitive neighbors think God hears his prayers more than theirs, and hurt their feelings? (Come to think of it, maybe God DID hear Daniel’s prayers more than those of Daniel’s neighbors). Maybe he shouldn’t have done it (lions’ den miracle notwithstanding). After all, it probably turned off the public to God. Rookie mistake. Sheesh.
Jesus prayed aloud from the cross. Stupid of Him to do that, all public like that. Should have asked John to climb up a ladder so He could whisper it in John’s ear, keep it private among friends, for God’s sake!
And heaven forbid we display Scripture in the public’s eye! John 3:16 on his eyelids instead of whispering it at “speaking engagements” and to “friends off the field?” Shame on Tebow, how ignorant! Yes, please, let’s all make sure to only refer to Scripture when we’re surrounded by believers or friends. Don’t draw attention to it in public or among strangers, that might offend someone! (I’ll call Scripture “it” so we don’t utter the word “Scripture” anymore.) Let’s remove it from schools, from public areas, from government buildings. (Oh, wait, our country’s already doing that.)
You admit Tebow isn’t violating “it” but think there’s a “better way” for him to glorify God. What?! So how about this: I don’t think your article is violating “it,” but I think there’s a better way for you to glorify God rather than slam Tim for shouting from the rooftops “I LOVE JESUS!” I love a woman, and I’d tweet it on the most popular Twitter feed (rooftops are so outdated). No one would second-guess that at all, even if it reached millions of “public” people. But Tebow loves Jesus and displays that love in public, and that makes him a bad witness, drumming up negative attention for Christ?
You honestly think you have a grasp as to why Tim’s supposed to be on that football field? Did God give you the authority to decide why he should be out there? Did God let you mold Tebow’s heart? Did God ask you to decree what “message he [should be] sending when he thanks God for scoring touchdowns”? I’m sorry, and what message should he send when he scores TDs? Fist-pump at a 45 degree angle, half between the sky and the fans in the stands to indicate “Gee, I’m so glad God is up there and I’m so glad those fans are over there”? (Not that God is “up there,” so perhaps Tim should just punch himself in the chest…)
And are you going to subsequently write disparaging posts about ALL Christian football players who point to the sky or kneel or display the hopelessly archaic hands-together-in-a-prayer-gesture when they score touchdowns? Or are we just taking aim at Tebow because he’s obviously THE most ignorant athlete alive when it comes to displaying faith in the public sphere?
I disagree with your article, and tell you to just be silent about Tim Tebow—for you, that would be wisdom (yeah, Job reference. Sorry to use Scripture when speaking to a stranger in a public forum. Guess I’m no better than Tebow).
PS. You realize Joseph was probably the greatest “CEO” ever to walk the face of the earth? So yeah, I think God raises people up to be CEOs. What, only the poor can have faith? Compare a food server who makes $15,o0o a year and gives 8 percent of all salary and donates 5 hours a week to charity and grumbles to a CEO who makes $100,000 a year and gives 15 percent of all salary and donates 10 hours a week to charity with a joyful heart. Now ask again, can CEOs be Christians, too? And yes, the charity work is handing out Gospel tracts. Oh, no! Treachery, Ahaziah!
This reply to the article was awesome. I looked up TT because i just saw him play in a minor league baseball game and recognized the name. Didnt know anything about him. However, this reply is erfect on so many levels. Thanks–to the commenter–for standing for Christ and pointingout the absurdity to any co verted heart that is reading.
I agree this reply was great. I almost skipped it because it looked long-winded. Now we have protests because of fake news stories about ‘hands up don’t shoot’ misconstrued with the honor that should be shown for our flag and National Anthem. I’d much rather see Tebow praying then Beckham acting like a dog in the end zone.
You know, you Christians would impress me more if you weren’t so dang boring and pushy with your beliefs. It really is a turnoff. No different than Morman’s and Jehovah Witnesses coming to your door uninvited. By the way your article is much too long and pedantic.
Wow. You missed the point of the article by a mile! We can see how eloquent you are with the written word. Now you might work on reading comprehension w/out conceived bias. It’d be interesting to see what my English 101 prof made of your ‘report’!
I don’t think you can speak for Chip Kelly or any other coach that doesn’t want him. He does have a very poor throwing motion. He is witnessing the way he is lead.
Even without the NFL QB platform, he will reach who God Has him reach.
One thing, you never hear him complain about not being on a team. But, you hear a lot of people complain for him and about him.
Good on him.
I am no football coach or analyst, but bad throwing motion or not, I think Tebow is better than many of the current second and third-string QBs in the NFL. He certainly has better stats than most of them.
Regardless, I do highly respect him for not complaining about not being on a team.
Good man Jeremy. Good thoughtful comment. It’s funny
How those who don’t agree with Tebow’s praying and so
Forth,yet I’ve yet to see anything in all these comments
About the Black lives matter gang who are disrupting the
NFL. There they are whineing while raking in millions of dollars. I wonder how much they donate to blacks around the
Country, those who really need it. Have you noticed how blacks contribute to blacks but white folks better give to black organizations or be considered bigoted. Many poor
Whites need help just as much as blacks, oops, African
Americans.
Yeah. Disgusting how millionaires dislike that people are being killed! Buncha babies!
This was an amazing article. I don’t follow sports, had never heard of Tim Tebow until today, and am not a Christian, yet this article sucked me in and I read it from start to finish. Great writing!
Tim Tebow obviously has a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Some may be making fun of him, but he isn’t discouraged for a more pleasant picture attracts his sight,—the precious love of Jesus. Tim Tebow is a great inspiration to me! God bless him!
“The real reason that the Eagles cut Tim Tebow is because Tim Tebow believes that his purpose on a football team is to evangelize his teammates and the coaching staff. Every time he gets a camera in his face, he starts talking about Jesus and giving glory to God for letting him play football.
But NFL Coaches don’t put people on their team to give them a platform to share their religious ideas. Nor do they put people on their team to share their political ideas.”
My how things have changed. The NFL is now rife with players using their position as a platform for their political ideas.
If Tim Tebow had knelt once a game, he would have gotten his chance to give glory to God and it would have been received well by most people. Myers’s point here is that he tested the limits.
The same applies to players with political convictions. If a player makes a brief, discreet political message, it is much more likely to be received well. Players have to be responsible to restrain themselves. A dab will do you.
Heaven forbid that the NFL try to ban every religious and political act.
Yes, that’s true.
It would be interesting if Tim Tebow were still in the NFL and if he were still kneeling in the end zone, how people would react to him?
I think you need to edit out the part of your post that says NFL owners don’t allow players to share politics, the Steelers Coach just disproved that when he tried to make them all hide in the locker room during the National anthems.
You say that a professional shouldn’t use their position to proselyte, yet you use your profession as a blogger to spew out your own religious opinions. If you are trying to put other professionals to that standard, why are you doing the exact opposite of what you claim people should do? In your own words, a professional blogger should present the facts of the news report, without interjecting his or her own ideas about God or religion. If you’re allowed to push your own agenda, why isn’t Tim Tebow? Next time think about what you’re saying.
This is a Christian blog. People come here to read Christian ideas.
The NFL is not a gathering place for Christians or Christian ideas. People go there to watch a sporting event. Not to get religious or political ideas.
You’re confusing a blogger with a journalist. Big difference.
I have to say I am shocked and appalled at the reaction of so called “Christians” spouting that God did not put people in high positions to witness…do you ever read the Bible? That is exactly what God wants us to do – share his Word with everyone! The end of times will come when the gospel has been made available to EVERYONE on earth. And I wonder how you feel about the current NFL protests – because you wrote “Someone needs to tell Tim Tebow that the NFL stage is not for proclaiming the Gospel but for playing football.” Now, I guess someone needs to let the players know this now as it seems they are using the NFL for their political stage.
I so love your train of thought and reasoning Jeremy. If you are not a pastor of a thriving church then it’s a waste. But I appreciate that you view your church as an online one as well as a on the streets practical one. You are inspirational and I would really like God to bless you and yours. I imagine he does already. You are a grafter!! Well done faithful servant.
I wonder if you feel the same way now that others are using sports as a platform for their agenda? It’s interesting the NFL is ok with players shouting BLM everywhere but Tebow couldn’t thank God for his opportunity to play. I think it’s awesome that someone is being indicted as one who shares his faith too much. The problem they had with Tebow is Jesus.
I feel exactly the same way about players using sports for their political agendas.