Geoff Willour  12/7/11

I have a confession to make.  I am not a sports fan.  In fact, on those few occasions when I have watched or attended sporting events I have often been left wondering within myself, "What's the big deal?"  I certainly don't look down on or condemn those who enjoy wholesome sports activities.  It is certainly within the bounds of Christian liberty for believers to enjoy sports activities and sporting events, and certainly such things can be enjoyed for the glory of God.  But to my way of thinking it all seems to be "much ado about nothing."  Not to sound like an elitist snob, but quite frankly I would much rather spend an evening reading a serious book than sitting in front of a TV watching a bunch of large, muscular men in goofy, numbered uniforms running up and down a field chasing a pigskin and smashing into each other.  (No offense, sports fans, but I just don't get what the draw is.)

In spite of my "so what?" attitude towards and high degree of ignorance of sports in general (and football in particular), it has been hard to ignore all the fuss that is being made in the media about Denver Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow.  Mr. Tebow is an outspoken Christian who wears his faith on his sleeves (or, more precisely, on his face).  He has gotten a lot of attention for painting Bible references under his eyes, and also for habitually kneeling down in a prayer posture (ostensibly to give glory to God) whenever he or his team make a good play on the field.  It seems that this fine young Christian man has been getting a lot of praise from Christian sports fans, even as he is also getting a lot of ridicule and scorn from non- and anti-Christians.

From what I understand it would seem that Mr. Tebow is the "real deal."  It would appear that he is one of those rare sports figures who "walks the talk" of his Christianity in the realm of personal morality and integrity, rather than living the typical double life of many sports "heroes."  He appears to be a fine young man with a genuine and sincere love for the Lord Jesus Christ.  From what I have read Mr. Tebow has no known private skeletons in the closet which would undermine his public expressions of faith.  For that he is to be commended, not attacked.  Therefore I do not want the reader to misunderstand the critical comments I am about to make, as if I were joining the anti-Christian ranks of those who are ridiculing and scoffing at Mr. Tebow's public expressions of faith on the field (which I am not), or as if I were attacking him personally (which I am not).  However, I would like to suggest that his public exhibitions of faith on the field, while obviously sincere and well-intentioned, actually end up trivializing Christ and His gospel, and thus fall short of truly honoring the Lord whom Mr. Tebow so obviously loves.  I would also like to suggest to Mr. Tebow that there is a better, more biblical, more effective way that he can testify to Christ in his capacity as a professional football player; one that is not exhibitionistic, but which would be much more powerful in the long run.

Mr. Tebow's expressions of faith (the Scripture verse eye painting and the prayer posture) on the football field amount to a Christian form of exhibitionism.  No doubt he intends these actions as a way of "witnessing" or bearing "testimony" to Christ.  However, I suspect that to many his public exhibitions of faith come across as attention-getting theatrics and ostentatious gimmickery.  Such Christian exhibitionism has deep roots in American revivalism (which has always been highly emotive, theatrical, exhibitionistic and "show-offy").  But I would suggest that it is not at all biblical.  Certainly God's Word commands believers to confess Christ before others (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9), and to be ready to give a reason for their Christian hope to those who ask (1 Pet. 3:15).  But I read nowhere in Scripture where believers are commanded to use ostentatious, attention-getting gimmicks (like Scripture verses painted under the eyes) as vehicles for Christian testimony.  Rather, Scripture directs believers to confess Christ by attending diligently upon the God-appointed means of grace (Word and sacraments), honoring the Lord's Day, and living a Spirit-filled Christian life of integrity in the world.

Here's my suggestion to Mr. Tebow:  Put aside the artificial exhibitionism.  Stop the face painting and the prayer posturing.  (After all, it's a football game, not a worship service!)  Instead, keep on living a life of private moral integrity and purity.  Keep on striving for excellence on the field, and continue to be the best player you can, all for the glory of God.  But in addition, start consistently obeying the command of Hebrews 10:25 (the command not to forsake the assembly of Christian worship, which takes place on Sunday - the Lord's Day; see Rev. 1:10).  Tell your team that as a practicing Christian you can no longer play on the Lord's Day (i.e., Sunday, the Christian Sabbath), and make it a point to attend church every Lord's Day.  In other words, show honor for the sabbath day (a day which is regularly dishonored and desecrated by professional sports like football), and thus demonstrate to your fans that Jesus and His church are more important to you than football, that your faith is a higher priority to you than your professional career.  Be an active and responsible member of a Bible-believing church, and faithfully tithe to that church.  Partake regularly of Holy Communion, and support the ministry of your local church by contributing your time and your spiritual gifts to the upbuilding of that church.  Some might object to these suggestions by pointing out that often major games (like the "Superbowl") are played on Sundays, and thus that Tebow would likely lose his job if he refused to play ball on the Lord's Day.  To which I say, "So be it!"  What better way to confront the sports-idolatry and sabbath-desecration of our sports-worshiping culture than to have a talented, serious-minded Christian player say, "I will play on any other day but the Lord's Day; and if I have to compromise my faith in order to play ball professionally, then I will take my faith over my career."  While I would be very surprised (and pleased!) if such a scenario were ever to take place in real life, at the same time would not such a radical stance be a much more powerful Christian testimony than the artificial, revivalistic, exhibitionistic, attention-seeking antics of Mr. Tebow's face painting and prayer posturing on the field (however well-intentioned those antics are)?  Mr. Tebow, there is a better way.  It is more difficult and less showy, and it would likely make you much less popular than you are today; but it is the way of quiet, unassuming discipleship, and I believe it would make a much more powerful impact in the long run.