This is not a critique of Tim Tebow, his unusual throwing mechanics or his ability to win football games. This is most definitely not a critique of Tim Tebow and his faith in Christ, his willingness to share his beliefs or his propensity to thank Jesus after ever game. This is, however, a critique of Christians going overboard on Tim Tebow.
In regards to his football skills and only his football skills, Tebow was an amazing, once-in-a-generation college football quarterback and Tebow is an unorthodox, underwhelming, yet efficient and clutch NFL QB. In regards to his "intangibles" and will in to win, Tebow is an amazing, once-in-several-generations leader and motivator.
The difficulty for many Christians is that they do not understand how to separate criticism of his NFL football skills from his ability as a leader, or even more disappointingly from his Christian faith. Please hear this Christian, every criticism of Tim Tebow is not an attack on his faith. Let me repeat this so we can all catch it: every criticism of Tim Tebow is not an attack on his faith.
Obviously, some have brought up his faith explicitly in their criticism. Some have said they wished he would tone down his postgame thanksgiving and praise of Jesus, but not everyone. Some of the criticism has been leveled purely at his skills as an NFL quarterback.
Some behave as if Tebow is the first Christian NFL player. Numerous players in the NFL are Christian and outspoken about their faith. Pro Bowl QB Kurt Warner won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams and set numerous NFL records during his time as a starting quarterback with the Rams and Arizona Cardinals. He constantly spoke of his faith in Christ and was consistently praised for his skills as a quarterback. Those two things can exist simultaneously.
Tebow has become polarizing with his Christianity because he wins (worthy of some praise), but he does so almost in spite of his statistics, for three quarters of the game at least (worthy of some criticism). Christian latch on to the first and ignore the second. Critics of Christianity can obsess over the second and refuse to acknowledge the first.
As a Christian, my concern is that so many fellow Christians have turned any and all criticism of Tebow into a criticism of Christ. The Christian celebrity culture has become so ingrained in us that any critique of a celebrity Christian, on any issue regardless of its connection to the faith, is equated with denying the resurrection of Jesus.
Not only that, but every Denver win is viewed as a victory for God over the forces of darkness. Evil is vanquished when Tebow leads another comeback. God causes the other team to fumble the ball or miss field goals. It's like Angels in the Outfield, but it's Jesus in Between the Sidelines. That's not Christianity. That's superstitious paganism.
Personally, I'm pulling for Tim Tebow. I hope he achieves great things in the NFL. I like underdog stories. I love to root for guys that work hard and don't skate by because they've been blessed with extraordinary God-given talent.
Tebow has been given a fantastic platform to speak of Christ and share his testimony. But I'm a little embarrassed by the way many Christians are treating him and his football exploits. If it continues on, Tebow is going to have to put a new verse on his eye black - Revelation 22:8-9:
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."Update: On Facebook, a friend brought to my attention an article about Kurt Warner's advice to Tebow. You can read that here. He took it as Warner telling Tebow not to talk as much about being a Christian. I took it as him telling Tebow to continue being bold, but use wisdom, as the stock phrases of Christian athletes and celebrities are often repeated, but are also often not lived out. You can decide how you interpret it.
He also brought up Warner's connection to the "Prosperity Gospel" from an ESPN Outside the Lines piece a few years ago. I was not aware of this connection and hate that Warner has bought into what is a corruption of true Christianity.
I do, however, think my larger point still stands. Christian athletes are praised when they perform at an elite level on the field. Therefore, not every criticism of Tebow or any other Christian athlete is a criticism of their Christianity. Some may be, but not all is.
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