So I’m watching the national championship college football game tonight and see something written in white on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow’s eye black: “John” it says on his right eye. “3:16″ it says on his left.
My first reaction: Come on. I just want to watch a football game; I don’t want to be prosetylized to. Football watching has been safe since the rainbow-wigged guy was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences on kidnapping charges in the early 1990s.
My second reaction: Relax. Tebow is the son of Christian missionaries and, I’m guessing, he believes that if people don’t believe in Jesus, when they died, they’ll be banished to hell for eternity. He has the opportunity to play before a national TV audience of millions and millions, and he wants to save some souls. I understand.
But I have to wonder if his coaches or NCAA officials would allow him to have “There Is” “No God” written on his eye black below his right and left eyes. I imagine that these personal slogans will soon be banned. The Powers That Be in football were never much for personal expression.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Tommy405 // Jan 9, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Tebow has worked hard to extend his Christian message. He has also worked hard to bring his team to a National Championship. I’m not quite sure what “eye black” does for anyone’s game, but I did get the message!
Thanks Tim!
2 shanola26 // Jan 9, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I totally understand your argument, but only people who know the Bible and are familiar with that notation would understand the significance of this personal expression of faith. Tebow himself is not explicitly saying “Praise the Lord” because our secular society would be uncomfortable with such a statement. I don’t think anyone would go as far as saying “No God” in the same manor. If some player was wicca and had a similar notation on their face, I may get curious and look up what it was, but that does not mean I would share those values. Tebow is showing an outward expression of his faith without causing an uproar to the rest of society. However, I do think saying “Our Savior” on his face would cause someone peoples’ heads to explode.
3 SeekingHumility // Jan 9, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Hello sir,
Off the subject, I am extremely impressed with this player. I believe what he wants people to see is that what he experiences through Jesus is authentic, and leads people to peace and love.
The question you ask seems resonable to some. As for someone wearing eye black stating “There is no God”, does not seem to make any sense. Think about it, there is no message there. However, when you read John 3:16, gives a message of hope, love and peace.
Thanks,
Brian
4 spencerbaker // Jan 9, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I just want to be ENTERTAINED.
You know those semi-celebrities are always trying to expand their influence beyond their “game”.
Look at all of the Hollywood Kooks and their causes: Global Warming (conveniently renamed “Climate Change” when it was debunked), PETA, Darfur, Tibet, Scientology, Kabala… they are so desperate for their life to be something other than earn-and-spend.
BORING! The 60s are OVER! Just do your job!
5 Jumper2.0 // Jan 9, 2009 at 6:24 pm
It is always difficult to know the intentions of anyone and sometimes I react negatively to stuff like this too.
But then, that is me being judgmental so I quickly remind myself of that and move on. Which is not always easy.
6 John 3:16 — Latest Bible Verse to Be Featured On Tim Tebow’s Eye Black | Lose Weight Fast | Weight Loss Tips | Product Reviews | Weight Loss Pills | // Jan 9, 2009 at 7:01 pm
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7 Gators Win!! Tebow Has A Message : “John 3:16″ « Prolific Society // Jan 9, 2009 at 9:02 pm
[...] of the wholesome image we see described in every single feature written about him. But not everyone has been a fan of his use of eye-black patches to get the message across: But I have to wonder if his coaches or [...]
8 Jenny // Jan 9, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Tim Tebow can’t save anyone’s soul.
Nor can any priest or pastor… despite what some of them try to convince you while they rifle through your conscience or your wallet.
But Tim can and does let the light that is Jesus’ (not Tim’s – that’s important), shine through him and people see that it’s a positive, good, truthful, hardworking, optimistic, hopeful, happiness-filled thing.
Do the “there is no god” messages out there bother you?
“Yes to God”, and “no to God” messages are plentiful on both sides and are free for the taking or rejecting. Your choice alone.
My guess is that the pro-God messages bother you deep down because you still believe; you’re just mad at Him.
9 Did Tebow 3:16 Offend? // Jan 10, 2009 at 1:21 am
[...] If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! The legend of Tim Tebow grew exponentially last night, thanks to the verbal fellatio offered by Fox’s broadcast booth. To some, Tim Tebow might be the savior of the human race, all because he’s a great college football player, and a seemingly stand-up guy … Although, the “greatest human being alive” meme being offered up is a little much. Another area of (slight) concern comes from Tebow’s willingness to wear his Christian faith on his sleeve (or, in this case, underneath his eyes). Apparently, some people–William Lobdell–were initially less than impressed: [...]
10 Tim Stroud // Jan 10, 2009 at 2:15 am
I find pro-god “messages” fascinating. Who can deny the influence of god thinking on humanity? And, most effectively, on individuals? It is not quite a mental illness. But it is not rational thinking either. (Rational thinking is so in-the-box restrictive anyway) It is more like an eccentricity. A fairly benign, millennia old eccentricity. That has sometimes produced great success for individuals and even whole cultures.
And I delight in the usage of basic human emotions (love, fear, guilt) in order to persuade towards god thinking.
How can you argue with a lover? Best to stay silent, look deep into their eyes and accept the warm feelings. After all, they just want what’s best for you.
How can you disagree with a long-established authority figure, an admired friend or colleague, a teacher, a politician or a winning football star? Best to do what he/she says and avoid conflict, or face retribution. After all, they are wise and talented and attractive and successful, and know better than you.
I used to watch a lot of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and see the same love/fear/guilt manipulation used with humor. And John 3:16 references make me smile in the same way.
11 bergerish // Jan 10, 2009 at 10:44 am
Love the message. Tebow is so real and has done so much more in his young wonderful life than most. He will be successful in anything he involves himself in. What wonderful family he has, and it shows.
12 webpet // Jan 10, 2009 at 10:46 am
Congrats to Tebow for taking a stand for what he believes and the right to express it. Thank God for a country such as America where we have this right guaranteed to all its people. Yes, that right, “Freedom of Speech,” gives Tim this right of expression, and if any are offended, well, that is the right given by the Constitution. I’ve read it many times and have yet to read a clause that you have a right not to be offended. Being offended is subjective. For whatever reason we don’t like something, be it religion, politics, or whatever, that someone says, something that is opposite our beliefs, then we immediately throw up our hand and cry “fowl.” “I am offended.”
Tim’s display was not done just to offend, it was done as an expression (I’m taking the liberty, as a Christian, to comment on his intention). We are humans, and that is how we relate to one another, by expressions of ourselves. No, I don’t like the way a lot of people express themselves, drinking, cursing, lying, etc., etc., but that is their Constitutional and God given right. My choice is to be offended or not to be offended.
When I look at religion, I am disappointed and even times offended. When I look at politics, more often than not, I am disappointed and offended. I could go on. The problem is what we are looking at. The Bible tell me to look to the Author and Finisher of my faith. If I look at any thing other than Jesus, I will be disappointed. For only He has overcome and will not disappoint. In my own wishes, desires, mind and hope, yes, I will probably be disappointed in what I think Jesus did not do or give me. But, His wisdom is far greater, and He knows the ending for my life and my life is not for me but for the building up of the Body of Christ that God may have a habitation, a dwelling place here on Earth, not just in the new world to come, but today. And Tim Tebow is part of that expression and habitation.
13 Jenny // Jan 10, 2009 at 11:09 am
Tim S – or what about the river guide on that white water rafting trip?
You sort of just trust him out of instinct and fear of something big and overwhelming that you can see but not quite understand. The rapids are flying at you fast from all directions and you know you are not in control on that little raft, and when the guide says, “paddle on the left” or “back-paddle on the right” you just DO it. Because in your heart you KNOW that HE knows every eddy and rock in the river and HE knows what he’s doing, and so you trust that he doesn’t want you to make a fatal mistake or capsize and get hurt… because that will hurt him, too, but mostly he wants to protect you because it’s his duty and his desire to protect you. He’s responsible for you.
I like to think I’m following my white water rafting guide in Jesus. [And in my mind's eye He's also really strong and kind of cute with that long-ish hair.]
14 God and Country » Blog Archive » Championship Winner’s Witness Criticized // Jan 10, 2009 at 3:22 pm
[...] atheist blogger had this initial response: I just want to watch a football game; I don’t want to be prosetylized [...]
15 Tim Stroud // Jan 10, 2009 at 4:03 pm
For Jenny, now, now reign in that vivid imagination for a minute. (and Jesus is all like, “Jenny, it’s the 21st Century! I got a haircut!”) lol
Yes I completely understand. And I understand that for Christians, Jesus is as real as that white water rafting guide. But you do realize that, unlike the white water rafting guide, (and this is one of my major problems) Jesus is an invisible person, right?
If we can establish that, and if it’s okay with Christians, then I think we go a long way toward establishing the eccentricity description that I referred to earlier.
16 Jenny // Jan 10, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Tim S. – I realize that Jesus is invisible… It’s “in my mind’s eye”, I envision him a certain way, and I still can’t see him with a haircut! You mean like Bill’s? I just can’t!
Yes, I do understand that you have a problem with Chirstianity – maybe several – and that’s ok. I have also gone through long periods of doubt myself. What I still appreciate in your comments is that you comprehend the difference between “faith” and “religion”. Most non-Christians can’t.
Faith is a completely benign eccentricity as you state. Heinous acts like the Spanish Inquisition ages ago, or the clergy rape scandal currently, or the tv evangelical thievery that we see late night… these are offenses committed by bad people, not committed by God.
Many people, I think Bill included, can’t see the difference between people who claim to represent God, and God. I listened to Bill tell a buddy (Hugh) that if God were real, he’d be better represented on Earth. I just disagree with that. It is Satan, if you want to get into “invisible people”, who leads rapists, no matter what they are wearing – flannel shirt or a priest’s collar. Tim Tebow, for example, represents God on Earth.
People are not benign most of the time. We all fall short every single day. Non Christians think this means we are all hypocrites and so therefore God must not be real. Not so.
17 rbasford // Jan 11, 2009 at 4:18 pm
For William Lobdell, as well as the rest of those who have a problem with Tim Tebow’s choice of face paint? If you don’t like it, simply turn the channel! Tebow will have the last laugh in the end, anyway. But then again, knowing the decent human being that Tebow is, I doubt very seriously that he will laugh at the wrath that will befall the aforementioned.
18 Colin Cody // Jan 11, 2009 at 8:08 pm
The black patches under the eyes of football players are intended to keep light from reflecting off their cheeks and into their eyes causing vision difficulties.
My congratulations to Tim for his excellent football, his willingness to loose some of the benefit from the black patches for a good cause and for his having the courage to let the country know of his biblical faith at a time when the culture does not consider being a Christian all that “cool.”
I am a Christian biblical theologian now; however, there was a period of fourteen years in my youth when I became a skeptic of all things religious because of my university training in organized religion and bad ministerial experiences. Later, after becoming a radically different kind of Christian, I did numerous in-depth interviews of ministers for a local newspaper. If I had not well understood the profound difference between organized religion and genuine biblical faith, I would have been sorely tempted to return to my former skepticism. Had I been involved in Catholicism at the time, I would now be in the condition of Mr. Lobdell.
I agree with Mr. Lobdell that getting out of phony religion is a great relief. On the other hand, getting out of skepticism or atheism or agnosticism and into genuine biblical faith is very satisfying and strengthening. I would not go back to my former condition of phony faith or skepticism for anything the world has to offer and more.
My problem was that I thought what I saw in organized religion was Christianity and I wanted nothing to do with that nonsense. I had no knowledge of the real thing or even that there could be anything other than what I had known. Looking beck now at my state of abject confusion, I am sure there must be a great many more people of all ages just like I was then. It seems all I can do to help is advise them to read “The Hidden Face of God” by Schroeder, “God, The Evidence” by Glynn, “The Language of God” by Collins and the NKJV New Testament.
God does not force anyone to join and play on his team. That is a choice each of us must make for ourselves, and he accepts “whosoever will” according to the simple covenantel terms Jesus laid out in Luke 9:23ff.
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