In a very Seinfield-esque vain, what's with this trend of college football players broadcasting their latest Bible read on their eye-black stickers and/or with magic-marker on their arm?
For instance, let's look at Tim Tebow. I realize that Tim Tebow is one of the most celebrated college football players of all-time, and he is using that platform to advertise his faith because he believes in its importance to eternal well-being. I mean, its not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the athletes or musicians, or any of a number of other entertain professionals hedge from their celebrity status.
My issue in the case of these college athletes lies in the fact that their religious faith and opinions are being broadcast with the perceived intent of spreading the gospel on one of the biggest stages available (televised sports). This is not a Coke billboard, or an All-State advertisement, where our American consumerism benefits. This is a matter of personal values. Why does he think its acceptable to broadcast God like one might broadcast an iHop? Is this the direction we are heading in sports?
Its a two-fold issue for me, Tim. First, how extensively have you tested your Christian faith? Is college football your litmus test? Have the successes and failures of your college football career been guided by Ephesians, for instance? When you post a Bible verse on your eye-stickers, for the world to see, you are grouping yourself with a Christian community. You are acknowledging fully that you believe in God, the Bible, and the spirit of faith. Its not as if you are saying that only that verse is operative in your life.
Enter the recent Comedy Central viewing of "Borat." Recall the Christian church in Texas healing Borat from his agony from finding out that Pamela Anderson is not a virgin? Yeah, that is a Christian community...the one that you are tied to. If I got to sit down with you, and discuss your faith, you would likely separate yourself from this group. However, with your eye-stickers, you don't have that opportunity to specify your faith. Thus, until that point, you have grouped yourself with some version of the tongue-speaking "seizure" victims that feigned their way through that scene. Don't put it on us to dig deeper into what you mean when you advertise your Bible verse...we aren't looking to you for spiritual advice. By bolding wearing these stickers, you are volunteering information that allows us to tie your faith to whatever group we see fit.
Secondly, Tim, while you may think it noble to post your faith like a billboard, your efforts should concentrate on localized disciplining. Attend your Bible groups and your weekly church services. Blog your opinions and your thoughts about the social complexities of faith and service. Allow people to volunteer their time to listen to your cause, rather than choking us with Biblical piecemeal while we eat our wings and drink beer. Its not acceptable to make our college football viewing experience your own personal mission trip. We are already clouded with advertisements. Its NOT noble to bring more attention to yourself with the Bible verses, and then claim that you are simply trying to bring attention to God.
Its my opinion that God would be more impressed with you putting in work for the Holy Spirit via community and local groups. This affords you the ability to explain in detail why you believe what you do, and what effect it has on you.
I wonder if he will be sporting these stickers when he is playing slot for the Jaguars next year...??
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