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.

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.

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.

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.]

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.

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.