Jonathon Goldsmith plays the most interesting man in the world in a very popular television commercial. He possesses fascinating features that capture the world’s attention. This article is about a man who may not be the most interesting man in the world, but he is certainly one of the most polarizing figures in American culture.
Tim Tebow was the miracle baby of his mother, Pam. In 2010, the Tebows coordinated with Focus On The Family to sponsor a Super Bowl commercial to tell their story. When Pam was pregnant with Tim, doctors told her that she had to abort her baby to avoid life-threatening complications. She refused and now, like it or not, the world has Tim Tebow.
George Weigel asks why Tim Tebow is so controversial in his article for First Things. Tim Tebow is “more polarizing than trash-talking NBA giants; more polarizing than foul-mouthed Serena Williams; more polarizing than NFL stars fathering numerous children by numerous women, all out of wedlock. Why Tebow, and only Tebow, arouse such passions? Why is it Tebow that the “comedians” say they would like to shoot?”
ESPN aired a Sunday morning special in September 2011 exploring the division of Tim Tebow, who began the season as the Denver Broncos’ third quarterback. Urban Meyer, coach of the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, said he was wary when Tebow arrived at the University of Florida. Here is a sensitive, sincere and handsome boy who has exposed his heart to America. Would he set himself up for failure? Would his image crumble due to sex, drugs or steroids? Meyer was on a mission to find hypocrisy in Tim Tebow. He arrived empty. Tebow was the real deal.
Tim Tebow has become the poster boy for evangelical Christianity. Some love and admire him because he has shown that he has the gut toughness to take Christ’s side and endure the ridicule that he is sure to follow. Others hate him because they interpret his evangelical message as exclusionary and offensive. No one wants to be told that he is wrong or that his name is not written in the Book of Life. Tim Tebow is in the eye of the storm because of his biblical beliefs about sin. Society is hypersensitive on issues like homosexuality and the choice of abortion. Tebow is standing in the crossfire between those who categorize these issues as sinful, deserving of God’s judgment, and those who believe such people are arrogant and judgmental.
The haters are many and varied. Simply Google ‘I hate Tim Tebow’ and browse the nearly 4,000,000 results to find out just how vehement this hate is. One commenter mocked Tebow’s Christian testimony and the Bible verses inscribed on his black eye patches. “Hey look at me! I’m a Christian! I read the Bible! God doesn’t care who wins the game I know she told me,” he wrote.
Comedian John Oliver blurted out “I hate Tim Tebow” during one of his performances. He explained that if he had bin Laden and Tim Tebow in the same room and had a gun with two bullets, he would shoot Tebow first. Bill Maher refers to Tebow as a shower bag. Facebook and Twitter are overloaded with Tebow haters. It doesn’t take a trained psychologist to understand why they hate Tebow.
In January 2005, the Vikings were playing the Packers at Lambeau Field. Randy Moss caught a touchdown pass and then proceeded to entertain millions of fans by simulating the act of being in the end zone. Commenters seemed to react differently. Chris Collinsworth tried to stifle a giggle as Joe Buck voiced his outrage: “This is a disgusting act by Randy Moss and it’s unfortunate that we broadcast it live.” In contrast, Tim Tebow kneels and prays to his God. Guess what act sparks outrage around the water cooler on Monday morning?
Tebow’s habit of kneeling and pressing his fist to his forehead has given rise to a cultural phenomenon called ‘Tebowing’. Visit the Tebowing website to find out how ‘Tebowing’ has become the latest craze. They are doing Tebowing in Haiti, in China and in the Vatican. They are doing it in Afghanistan and in Kuwait. Both brides and grooms bow before getting married. Little kids are Tebowing. Soldiers and airline pilots are Tebowing. A miner in New Zealand Tebows deep in the earth and a mountain climber in Austria Tebows on top of the world.
Some are not so enthusiastic about Tebowing. The administration of Riverhead High School on Long Island suspended four children for Tebowing in the school hallways. One of those suspended was Conner Carroll. When asked on ESPN’s Sports Center if his suspension was worth it, he replied: “I did this to pay tribute to Tim Tebow. He’s a winner, he’s a leader, he has great faith, you know, he’s a perfect guy to follow, continue”. after…he’s not a guy who takes steroids or drugs or anything like that. He is an ideal role model. People should admire him.”
The list of athletes with criminal records is too long to add to this discussion. Recently, a Chicago Bears player was arrested for setting up a drug distribution network in the city of Chicago. College coaches (from Penn State and Syracuse) have been accused of sexually abusing minors. Why do so many expend so much energy hating a man who is one of the few decent role models left for America’s youth?
Doug Giles put this dilemma well in an article he wrote for Townhall: “Let me see if I get this right: a multi-tattooed, sex-loving thug with three illegal children by three different women scores a touchdown, then proceeds to simulate sexual intercourse “. perform in the end zone, in front of our children and the millions who watch on television, and that’s okay? Why are you sure it is? Who are we to judge? In fact, let’s give that future inmate a Nike ad and up his contract. a few million because it brings spices (and crabs) to the game. Ah… sweet progress.”
Why do they hate Tebow? It’s not because he’s obnoxious, it’s not because he’s rude or depraved. It’s not because of his football skills or lack thereof. They hate him because he is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and because he truly believes that it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)
Jeffrey Kuhner, in an article for the Washington Times, writes: “Christianity is being phased out of the public square. Christmas celebrations have become offensive. ‘Merry Christmas’ is now considered politically incorrect; the proper greeting is ‘Happy Holidays’.” “. The Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in court or in classrooms. Prayer has been banned from public schools. Christians are regularly mocked in movies and on television.” Kuhner describes this cultural deconstruction of Christianity in our society as Christophobia. He continues: “Christophobia forms the basis of modern liberalism. Left progressives are determined to destroy traditional America and its seminal institutions: the Constitution, capitalism, national sovereignty, and the family. That is why they have declared war on the Christianity”.
If Tim Tebow dropped the name of Christ, he wouldn’t be criticized so harshly. There is great power in the name of Christ. True salvation comes to the heart through the name of Jesus Christ. (John 3:18) Christians are baptized in his name, (Acts 8: 16-17), pray in his name (John 14: 13-14) and are granted eternal life in his name. the. (1 John 5:13) Why do people use the name of Christ in vain but do not use the name of Buddha, Mohammed or Allah? It is because no man is threatened by any other name than that of Jesus Christ. His name has a mysterious power associated with it and they fear that power. Fear breeds hate.
Why is Tim Tebow hated? He is hated for the same reason that Christ was hated. People run from the truth because it is too painful to face. They hate what they fear. They don’t fear Tim Tebow, they fear the message he carries. His message clearly states that everyone will be accountable to God for their decisions and behavior. It was the message of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) and they cut off his head for spreading it. It was Jesus’ message (Matthew 4:17) and he was crucified on the cross for preaching it. It’s Tim Tebow’s message and that’s why they hate him. Jesus Christ predicted it: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) But Christ also promised eternal life for those who endure to the end: “All men will hate you for my sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:13)
Stand firm, Tim Tebow. Please don’t let us down. Christians will be encouraged by your testimony and our youth desperately need a godly role model.
