Destined to Offend
There’s talk of offense when it comes to Tim Tebow’s eye blackened biblical billboards. We know he’s a hero to Gator fans, even a collegiate icon given his leadership of an immensely talented group of football players at the University of Florida. But I have to agree that his scripture advertising is terribly offensive. The truth is, it’s supposed to be.
John 3:16 is arguably the most well known scripture in the canon. But that’s not the only verse that appears on the face of Gator gridiron. One game it’s New Testament and another old. One day it’s a verse about how “those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength…” (Isaiah 40:31) and on another a reference to a passage that encourages us all to “throw off the sin that so easily entangles us…” (Hebrews 12:1-2). The Nerve of Tebow.
It’s bad enough Tebow plays for a school many love to hate. And he has to go and be a spokesman for a religion that many more think unfairly and unnecessarily saturates American culture. While I can’t speak for Tebow, offending people by expressing his source of inspiration is probably not his objective. He could’ve just written his area code or “YOU’RE (Right cheek) Gator Bait (Left Cheek)” instead if that was the goal. No, when you take a stand for beliefs that are not only core to you but, in your worldview, core to the lives of onlookers worldwide it offends. Someone, and I’ve read the blogs where they do, invariably says Tebow’s eye black is an infringement – that if he were Muslim, the college football fan base would be up in arms. Maybe, but he’s a Christian and the Bible coordinates on his face represent even more than the words themselves. They represent the hope of a very imperfect human being willing to live, love, share and grow no matter what it costs him. And it will cost him. That’s part of the deal for him and any others of us following Christ publicly. If only they allowed eye black at my old job.
Posted: by Norman Anthony
Category: Character
Wow-Love it! I am a huge Tebow supporter and I love the points you made. What an honor for him to be able to proclaim his beliefs at his stature. On the other hand, he will pay a price as you said, for taking a stand for what he believes. Extremely admirable! May God continue to give Tim Tebow the courage to press on!
It’s inspiring!!!! In a society that is turing away from god, as well as its morals, can use somebody like Tim Tebow. Its a sign of strength, faith, and restrain. If you had any morals, abstract thought, or compassion, you would accept what he is doing. Due to the times, it is hard for Muslims to show faith in a similir fashion. It’s not his fault that he represents a religion that is not scrutinized. I’m not asking you to accept God (which you will never do!!! I can tell that you are a total close minded liberal that is so quick to point fingers at faults that you don’t want others to embrace), but accept that it may be one of the essences that keeps believers like Tim Tebow going. I hope he gets in the NFL hall of fame. He is such a great athlete, and is such a great person. I think he rubs people the wrong way because he shows a bright scense of christianity that people like this writer don’t want people to notice because they are so afraid of ‘comformity’. Keep it up Tim, im a eagles fan and a penn state fan, but i Love you man!!!!
I am not sure what article Chase was commenting on. If he would reread the post by Norman titled “Destined to Offend”, he would see that it was a pro Tim Tebow post. Slow down, and understand what you are reading bro. We are all on the same team here. Read the vision and mission of the author of the site. I don’t see a close minded liberal with no morals. I see a man with passion for his conviction and is using this site as a platform to share the Gospel. Read what is a 6ixth Man. MAybe it will open your eyes, God Bless you