My Take on Tebow

 

My Take on Tim Tebow

 

For the last few months social media, the internet in general, commentators (from sports to entertainment) and Christian folk have been talking about Tim Tebow.

 

In fact, I often get asked, "Hey, what do YOU think of Tim Tebow." 

 

My honest answer has been up until this point, "Well, I don't much follow sports, so I don't really have much of an opinion of him." Which has been the truth. Well, mostly.

 

I have avoided "taking sides" on this Tim Tebow thing because it seems... not unlike Lady Gaga or the Kardashians: you either side with "the lovers" or side with "the haters" - there isn't much middle ground, sadly.

 

Let me start by discussing my issues with the modern notion of "celebrity." I work as a pastor at a church which means I preach, make decisions and generally make my thoughts, stories and convictions known "publically" - So, as a result, I have had to ponder this in my own life (granted on a MUCH SMALLER SCALE). And what I often find at the root of someone's STRONG like or dislike of a "celebrity" is what some people much smarter than me would call: "psychological projection" or "projection bias." Meaning that this particular PERSON or PEOPLE GROUP is USED to discuss a strong emotion a person has about him or herself (instead of humble introspection - which I find, sadly, in short supply these days), safely, under the disguise of having a strong emotion about the OTHER (in this case a celebrity, or even on a smaller scale with a pastor, teacher, or other authority figure, etc). It is the cowards much-told tale. It is the classic blame-game tactic. It can work to make that person either "perfection personified" or the "evil overlord." And even though Tim Tebow has knowingly thrust himself and his faith in the public eye, it really isn't fair to put this all on him, is it? But many do and while continue to... but I hope that you (and I) can learn from this and help in the "building up of the Kingdom of God" (as Jesus taught about) by being people who don't tear others down for the sake of making a point.

 

 

The Camps

So there are, it seems, two camps (within Christianity) and a third camp (outside of Christianity) I want to briefly discuss (forgive the stereotypes, but this is only a short blog) - BE WARNED***the "camp" you most react to is probably the one you are "in": 

 

1. Evangelical or "Conservative" Christians (not a political term) hold him up as some sort of NEW Christ figure. He is to be honored. Revered. He has been ordained as their personal pastor. Much time is spent bumping articles about him on social media. They identify with his faith, which they USE to validate themselves. He is great because he is like: ME (surprise, surprise). Their sound bite faith is affirmed by his sound bite theology. Plus, Tim Tebow is attractive and blessed. So God must have found favor with Tim; therefore, God will also find favor with me. God is on Tim's side... and that means God is also on MY side. If I pray with power, like Tim, God will also help ME be a "winner" etc, etc. Also he affirms their view of manhood: it is tough, tall AND plays sports. They also use the criticisms of Tim Tebow to "prove" that Christianity is somehow under "attack" in the west. Tim, and by projection: THEMSELVES, become the ultimate victim(s). Christianity is under egregious attack, didn't you know? The problem is that Tim Tebow never whines about being a victim and he didn't ask to be your new pastor. Tim hasn't agreed to all of the things you say about him, even in your support of him. So: take a breath. Tim Tebow is just a dude.

 

2. Progressive or "Liberal" Christians (again, NOT a political term) hold him up as some sort of Anti-Christ (well, not literally, of course). Tim Tebow is a cautionary tale of displaced glory. They use Tim to critique their fellow "shallow" evangelical Christians who too often get more worked up over football games than injustices like poverty or war. They project onto Tim all of their frustration with the more fundamentalist theology of their evangelical brothers and sisters. They see Tim as the "problem" with the modern Christian faith which has turned faith in Jesus into a commodity/brand to be bought and sold for pretty cheap. They turn Tim over not unlike Jesus overturned the money changers. Tim must be the martyr for their cause which makes them, by default, the "real" followers of the way of Jesus. Tim prays that God would favor his team and that is just wrong, right? Prayer is not a wish list for a genie is it? The problem is Tim has never said that he prays for favor or to "win." The other problem is that his prayer life, along with much of what he says & does, seems to genuinely flow from his faith life. Tim doesn't keep God in some lofty theological place to be dissected & debated, because God seems to be ever present for him. So: give him a break. Tim Tebow is just a guy.  

 

3. Lastly, those who do NOT consider themselves "religious" at all once again see the potential future fall of a good guy who calls himself a "Christian." As with public Christians like "famous" pastors or Christians who happen to be famous, they will eventually live to see him fall, they HOPE. Because it is inevitable, right? And then it will just prove their point: Christianity is a crutch and is a make-believe religion that cannot be lived out in real life. Religion is pointless and God always disappoints. All Christians are hypocrites, etc, etc. Tim Tebow, not unlike Batman: the Dark Knight, who is heralded by many as a "Hero" must if their cynicism is right (and it most always is for them) embodies this quote- "You either die a hero, or live long enough to become the villian." Tim Tebow will fall and they will be there to say: "I told you so." The problem is that they are more often than not: proven right. And because of that public faith declarations mean little to them. They want to see the "goods" and, for us, as Christians... they deserve to see a faith from us that is FIRST AND FOREMOST - gracious, compassionate, merciful and forgiving. They may not like Christians, but we cannot "dishonor" them in the "name" of Christ (with mean-spirited retorts) or call ourselves their "victims" as a rebuttal. The only road for Christians to take is the higher road. Always. No exceptions.

 

 

The Main Problem

The problem with all of these views of Tim Tebow is that they are projections. And what I would say is that if YOU have a strong opinion about Tim's public Christian faith, maybe before spouting off ABOUT him... ask yourself: WHY DO I FEEL THIS WAY?

 

If you happen to find yourself DEFENDING him vehemently, ask yourself: Why?

 

If you happen to find yourself DENIGRATING him, ask yourself: Why?

 

This is also how I have felt about the controversy surrounding pastor and author, Rob Bell. Some disown him and some pay him wondrous homage. But, truly, what does a strong reaction to him say about: YOU (or ME)? Do I have to be in a "camp" either loving him or hating him? Must I deny him if I disagree with some of his theology? Or must I hail him my new theological savior if I like his theology? What is with our extreme reactions him? Short answer: PROJECTION. Often followed closely by: FEAR.

 

My Main Point: 

The humble introspection of the personal faith journeys of many, many "non-famous" Christians... is worth FAR MORE than the words and symbols added to culture by a few "famous" Christians.

 

My concern isn't your "take" on Tim Tebow, but how you life out your Christian faith day in and day out. Do you truly love your neighbor as yourself? Do you truly lay down your life for your friends? Do you truly pray for those who persecute you? Do you truly forgive those who have hurt you without seeking revenge? Do you truly care more for people than possessions? These are all teachings of Jesus. But they are more than sound bites, because we know HE lived them out daily. So the question is: DO WE?

 

I was talking the other day to a father of two "tough" sons. He appreciates the example of Tim Tebow in the life of his boys. For him Tim Tebow represents a much needed break in the archetypal male that so dominates our western culture. While Tim is strong and into sports, the thing he is most know for is that he prays in a humble position and outwardly discusses "love" as the important factor of his faith. And for these reasons alone: Tim Tebow is a great example for men and boys! Real strength is powerful only when it is humbled by gentleness.

 

Ultimately the "Tebow Effect" will not be understood in just this small moment in time... this ONE season... but it will be put in the context of a lifetime of personal and professional choices Tim Tebow has yet to make. So I hope he continues to temper his faith with humility. I hope he continues his mission to help others. I hope he isn't embroiled in scandal later in his life. I truly hope his Christian faith is lived out in a way that honors and builds the Kingdom of God that Jesus came to enact in this world. I hope Tim leads, what Rob Bell and Brennan Manning would both call, "a resurrection life."

 

While I would imagine that I would not agree with all of Tim Tebow's Christian theology, for me that is not what is most important about his cultural impact. It is his desire to be a GOOD role model for the youth of our country that I most appreciate. I don't know if that is courageous or stupid of him; but I hope it will be successful. I hope he continues to be the "hero" not because he wins lots of games, or is rich, or marries a "hot" wife, or always seems happy or even because he has a certain theology of Jesus. But because he never stops bending down on one knee to pray. And because he never forgets what is truly important as he was quoted: 

 

“... Because at the end of the day if all we’re doing is winning and losing football games and scoring touchdowns, then we really haven’t done a lot in our lives... But if we’re in the business of encouraging people, bring faith, hope and love to those on their darkest hour of need... then we’re really doing something successful with our lives. So I’m going to take the platform that football has given me and try to give back, make a difference and make this world a better place."

 

 

The Good News IS Better Than That!

I guess I am a silly optimistic. I am a hopeful harbinger. I am a zealously "good news" preaching progressive. Because, apparently, I needed Tim Tebow to remind me that having a faith in God should engage both my mind and heart... as well as my actions. And that I don't have to completely agree with every point of someone's Christian theology to admire their faith. For it takes great courage to be willing to climb higher or put yourself out there more, because that makes the fall or fall-out all that more painful and difficult. Most importantly, the example of Tim Tebow challenges me to navigate a "public" faith in God (which we all have as Christians, FYI, because someone is always watching) by tempering it with personal humility and linking it to an engagement in tangibly caring for those around me. Living out the life which tells the tale of the GOOD NEWS (the Gospel).

 

As for the phenomenom known as "Tebowing"... which is both emulated and laughling dismissed. I choose to think of it as a lesson for me. That by bending down on one knee in front of the world, Tim Tebow is powerfully demonstrating a truth that we all need to be reminded of: He is not God. Which reminds me that: I am not God, either. I do not have a perfect faith or perfect theology. I strive to have a thoughtful faith and a questioned theology, but it will never be perfect! Being a Christian isn't even about "being perfect" or "right" but about being: GOOD NEWS to others.

 

It might be wonderfully naive of me... but I want to, along with Tim Tebow, "make this world a better place." He and I will do that in our own ways, of course, and that is what makes the Christian life all that more interesting... for each of us lives out our faith in our pecular ways in our particular lives. I hope, as always, that the message of the lives of Christians is written most powerfully in the stories of what we DO positively to make this world a better place not just in our words of sometimes harsh theological conviction. 

 

My prayer is that we stop projecting onto others and start dealing with our own emotions, insecurities, worries and frustrations. Life is hard, and it is not made easier when we spend much of our time spewing out harsh critcisms of others. My prayer is that we, as Christians, take the energy we too often expend into disagreeing with each other, and, instead, find something useful or productive to do with that time. My prayer is that we strive to show others the grace and mercy that God has first shown us. That we embody in our lives: The Good News.

 

So... Grace & Peace be with you, Tim Tebow!

 

 

PS: I still won't be watching him play football! Because I don't watch sports. If he makes a guest appearance on "Modern Family" - then maybe I will watch him and become a "fan"!