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Tim Tebow: Lack of Conviction
I’ve no qualms with celebrities using their fame as a lofty perch from which to put forth their opinions- actors, actresses, singers, athletes, etc. Why not? You don’t give up your opinions merely because you become well known.
However, with notoriety comes responsibility, both for celebrities in their comments and actions and for the public to task them regarding same.
Last week saw Tim Tebow, marginal pro quarterback and highly demonstrative Evangelical Christian, cancel an April appearance at a Texas mega-church after coming under fire for having booked the gig in the first place.
The First Baptist Church of Dallas is fronted by Robert Jeffress, who made waves during the Presidential campaign by claiming Mitt Romney wasn’t a true Christian, and his Mormon religion, a cult. Jeffress doesn’t stop there, of course. He’s anti-semitic, anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim, anti-gay, anti-_______ (fill in the blank at your leisure). In short, a piece of work.
Tebow tweeted about the change in plans: “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 response from the church: "Mr. Tebow called Dr. Jeffress Wednesday evening saying that for personal and professional reasons he needed to avoid controversy at this time, but would like to come to First Baptist Dallas to speak at a future date."
Due diligence begs some questions. What ‘new information’ is Tebow referring to? That Jeffress is a hate-monger and he’d be better off not throwing in with him? And as for his vision of ‘Christ’s unconditional love’, did it not occur to the genuflecting Jets reserve that Jeffress sure puts a whole lot of conditions on that love (and who is Jeffress to presume to know Christ’s mind, anyway?).
To the church’s statement. If true, is Tebow’s witness to Christ really taking a backseat to trade concerns regarding his football career- that need to ‘avoid controversy at this time’? Is Tebow really bent on speaking at First Baptist in the future? And the most obvious question of all, does Tebow’s worldview line up with Jeffress’ or not?
Answers to these questions certainly aren’t found in the warm and fuzzy avoidance of Tebow’s tweets. It’s all rose windows and sunshine- and a very convenient lack of conviction.
However, with notoriety comes responsibility, both for celebrities in their comments and actions and for the public to task them regarding same.
Last week saw Tim Tebow, marginal pro quarterback and highly demonstrative Evangelical Christian, cancel an April appearance at a Texas mega-church after coming under fire for having booked the gig in the first place.
The First Baptist Church of Dallas is fronted by Robert Jeffress, who made waves during the Presidential campaign by claiming Mitt Romney wasn’t a true Christian, and his Mormon religion, a cult. Jeffress doesn’t stop there, of course. He’s anti-semitic, anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim, anti-gay, anti-_______ (fill in the blank at your leisure). In short, a piece of work.
Tebow tweeted about the change in plans: “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 response from the church: "Mr. Tebow called Dr. Jeffress Wednesday evening saying that for personal and professional reasons he needed to avoid controversy at this time, but would like to come to First Baptist Dallas to speak at a future date."
Due diligence begs some questions. What ‘new information’ is Tebow referring to? That Jeffress is a hate-monger and he’d be better off not throwing in with him? And as for his vision of ‘Christ’s unconditional love’, did it not occur to the genuflecting Jets reserve that Jeffress sure puts a whole lot of conditions on that love (and who is Jeffress to presume to know Christ’s mind, anyway?).
To the church’s statement. If true, is Tebow’s witness to Christ really taking a backseat to trade concerns regarding his football career- that need to ‘avoid controversy at this time’? Is Tebow really bent on speaking at First Baptist in the future? And the most obvious question of all, does Tebow’s worldview line up with Jeffress’ or not?
Answers to these questions certainly aren’t found in the warm and fuzzy avoidance of Tebow’s tweets. It’s all rose windows and sunshine- and a very convenient lack of conviction.
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