I find myself irritated from time to time by famous people who claim to be Christians, but show themselves to be fickle in their “faith” when their convictions are tested by circumstance or criticism. Two examples of this recently came to my attention.
The first was a quote from Josh Hamilton, who was the center fielder for the Texas Rangers last season. In an important game last year, late in the season, Hamilton made an egregious and costly error. When his manager asked him what happened, he responded by uttering a profanity. Now, it is obvious that Hamilton has problems. His drug abuse, tattoo covered body, and continued struggles with addiction are well documented. But, he claims to have given his heart to the Lord, and that God leads him in the decisions he makes in his life. His behavior in light of his claims give cause for the world to ridicule the very concept of Christian faith.
More disturbing was Tim Tebow’s decision not to participate in an upcoming event in Dallas, sponsored by a large Baptist church in the city. Tebow came under criticism because the church and its “pastor” (First Baptist, Robert Jeffress) have been characterized as preaching a controversial, hate filled theology. When the criticism got fairly heated, he caved to the pressure and reneged on his agreement to speak during the event. He told Jeffress that he needed to “lay low” until the current controversy died down.
The disappointing aspect of this is that Tebow was compromising in response to a prejudice against what is, in actuality, true. The so called hate speech of Jeffress was the contention that Jews and Muslims are not saved. And, horror upon horrors, that some who claim to be Christians (for example, Catholics and Mormons) are not saved either. In other words, views that are substantiated by an appeal to the Bible.
An article on the matter was titled, “Tim Tebow cancels appearance at controversial Dallas church.” This is not Westboro Baptist, a small church in Topeka, KS that has become infamous for picketing military funerals and for shocking messages concerning God’s hatred for homosexuals and for the United States. No, this is one of the most influential, mainstream evangelical churches in the United States, with a membership of over 10,000.
Two lessons are immediately obvious. First, we choose unwisely when we look to the merely famous as our champions of faith. Hebrews 11 speaks of men and women “obtained a good testimony through faith..” because they “were tortured…,” “had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment…” “were stoned…,” “were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword…,” “wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented…,” “of whom the world was not worthy.” Inspiration does not speak of those notable merely for their physical prowess or dramatic talent.
Second, we have reached the point where many Christian doctrines that even the world considered orthodox are now frowned upon by society at large. The foundational statement of our Lord, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6), is now considered by the influential of our day to be hate speech. The contention that homosexuality is sinful, and that those who practice such “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21) brands one as part of a fringe element, and not worthy of acceptance by our “enlightened” society.
The world hated our Lord, and its hatred for His disciples becomes more virulent day by day, (John 15:18).
