It’s dirty to kick a man when he’s down, but with the season now finished, something needs to be said about the year’s most controversial quarterback. The ire he raised and the associations he made are a supreme example of what to expect in navigating an increasingly post-Christian U.S. There are two things we should consider from the Tebow related experience.
1. The U.S. Doesn’t Know What to do with Public Confessions of Faith
Best I can tell there are two reasons Tebow drove people crazy: (1) He made all the way to the play-offs, despite not being a very good NFL quarterback and (2) He constantly made public statements of faith. It’s easy to see why this is a lethal combination.
However, this is where I praise Tim Tebow. The statements he has continued to make (how many times can you say lordandsavior in one interview?) might not have been terribly out of character a few decades back. In fact, they more likely would have gotten him labeled a “fine young American.” Despite intense public ridicule, and no doubt a lot of personal ridicule as well, he just keeps tebowing.
Here, Tebow demonstrates the most difficult reality of following Christ in the post-Christendom west. Ridicule, and perhaps eventually outright persecution, is to be expected. I have no doubt that Tebow has been encouraged to keep his faith private. Tebow has continued his tebowing and thanking his lordandsavior at every opportunity. He should be recognized for his obdurateness.
2. A Great Television Ad Does May Rally the Base, but Does It Further the Cause?
Tebow has had a polarizing effect on the football loving populace, to the point that those (such as myself) with only a passing interest in the sport, are familiar with his conduct. He has succeeded in “rallying the base,” both focusing attention on the Broncos and causing many Christians to feel the need to speak out on his behalf. People have chosen sides, and many Christians have expressed their pride in having a famous and outspoken athlete to root for. Focus on the Family, a famously political parachurch organization even bought ad time during the playoffs to show cute kids reciting John 3:16. This is fitting, not just because John 3:16 is the theme verse of football, but because Tim Tebow himself has served at little more than season long TV ad for the faith.
So, the question is, do TV ads further the cause of Christ, or only increase the extent to push people away from it?
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