Oct
16
2009
A Separation of Church and Sports?
A friend of mine sent me a link to a recent USA Today opinion piece about evangelicals in sports. In “I’d like to thank God Almighty“, Tom Krattenmaker argues that although he is “impressed by the good that’s done by sports-world Christians” and considers “Jesus-professing athletes” as “among the best citizens in their sector,” he’s still has a beef with evangelical sports stars.
The problem, says Krattenmaker, is that evangelicals don’t believe all roads to God.
Evangelical players and ministry representatives in sports aren’t out to harm anyone, of course. On the contrary, they see themselves as fulfilling the Bible’s Great Commission (”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19). In this sense, their mission is pure altruism: They seek to share the gift of eternal life.
But there’s a shadow side to this. If their take on God and truth and life is the only right one — which their creed boldly states — everyone else is wrong.
I don’t know many evangelicals who baldly state “everyone else is wrong”, but it’s true, when it comes being reconciled with God we believe that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way. I have no problem that Krattenmaker disagrees with this belief or even that he thinks people like me backward for holding such a belief. But Krattenmaker’s complaint against evangelical players and ministries is misguided. In one breath he affirms that evangelical sports starts, “like all Americans, have a right to express their faith.” But then he turns around and questions whether evangelicals should be peddling a faith that is so out of step with the majority of Americans.
Krattenmaker’s argument against the Tim Tebows of the sports world boils down to: “I don’t like that evangelicals think they’re right.” But, of course, Krattenmaker thinks evangelicals are dead wrong in their insistence they alone are right.
There are other contradictions in the piece. Krattenmaker writes in reference to outspoken evangelical chaplains and athletes:
Should we be pleased that the civic resource known as “our team” — a resource supported by the diverse whole through our ticket-buying, game-watching and tax-paying — is being leveraged by a one-truth evangelical campaign that has little appreciation for the beliefs of the rest of us?
This line of reasoning says little more than “I don’t like that the people I root for think I need Jesus.” But Krattenmaker’s “argument” could be used against just about any industry in America. Should we be pleased that the civic resource known as “our movies”–a resource supported by the diverse whole through our ticket-buying, movie-watching and tax paying (especially with Michigan’s subsidies)–is being leveraged by a secular humanism that has little appreciation for the beliefs of the rest of us? The great thing about American is you don’t have to watch a Susan Sarandon flick if her politics are that offensive to you, and you don’t have to watch football if you can’t stand it that some of them believe Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Krattenmaker is appalled that Tebow’s father’s evangelistic association espouses a “far-right” theology that believes in “eternal punishment” and rejects “the modern ecumenical movement.” “In making and acting on rigid claims about who is or isn’t in good standing with God,” Krattenmaker opines, “the Bob Tebow organization is working at cross purposes with the majority of Americans — indeed, the majority of American Christians — and their more generous conception of salvation.” Yeah, so? Can sports stars, on their own time mind you, only work with organizations that pass muster by national referendum? Millions of people in America think millions of other Americans are going to hell apart from the saving work of Jesus. And millions of Americans think those other Americans are neanderthals for believing that. God bless America!
Besides, it’s not like Tim Tebow puts “punish the infidels” on the black under his eyes. He puts a Bible verse. And while it’s well known that Tebow is a conservative evangelical, it’s not like he’s talking about his father’s rejection of the modern ecumenical movement in post-game interviews. No doubt, some evangelical sports stars have been obnoxious about their faith in the locker room. No doubt, some ministries have been rude in their evangelistic strategies. But then those are the players and ministries that most people will ignore. Most, I imagine, try to winsomely persuade non-Christians about the claims of Christ, just like Krattenmaker does with the claims of his pluralistic faith.
We all try to convince others that our way of looking at the world makes sense, even if our way of looking at the world says we shouldn’t be too definite about the way we look at the world. So, yes, evangelicals think Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. That’s not a secret. And it’s not a crime either.
22 Comments
“but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles (and apparently certain sportswriters)”
[...] Raymond and Kevin DeYoung (among others) respond to a USA Today editorial critiquing Florida quarterback Tim Tebow for [...]
I just wish that evangelicals would get as excited about the arts as they do with sports.
Hello Pastor DeYoung,
Thanks for your thoughtful article. This is sort of off topic . . . but if you were Tim Tebow’s Pastor, (and I’m assuming you hold to the 4th commandment in some sense), what counsel would you give him about playing in the NFL? Is it possible he could have more of an influence for Christ with an Eric Liddell move than actually playing?
Just curious,
Joseph
“I just wish that evangelicals would get as excited about the arts as they do with sports.”
Hey, I get way more excited about the arts than about sports. But I don’t begrudge the Christian sports fans their passion.
The members of the body don’t all have the same function, and I rejoice that so many find God’s calling and fulfillment, even if it’s in areas I don’t care two figs about.
@ Looselycult:
I’m not sure I agree with your insinuation that evangelicals would be better being passionate about art, rather than sports.
First, let me just echo what Andy said.
But second, we should be concerned that evangelicals are more passionate about Christ than art, sport, food, money, politics, etc. Passion for any of the latter is fine and can be God glorifying, provided it pales in comparison to our love for Christ and Him crucified. And sadly, this isn’t always the case.
This is actually what makes Tim Tebow so refreshing. Not only is he passionate about football and striving to be the best football player he can be. But, by all accounts, his greatest affection is reserved for his Savior. In this way, he’s an example to athletes and artists, sports fans and art lovers alike.
Grace,
Matthew
To Joseph
Perhaps since Tebow’s job will require him to play on Sunday, like many of us who have to work on Sunday also, he can “take his Sabbath”
on a different day. After all, Christ says that Sabbath is for man.
Andy my statement did not insinuate that the arts are better than sports, my point was that I just wish that more evangelicals would get just as excited about the arts as they do sports. I think part of this is that I grew up with the church shoving athletics down my throat with very little interest in the arts unless it was church music, or a picture with Jesus holding a lamb. Matthew, yes I agree Christ should be our primary passion above all things, I just wanted to voice what I think has been an inconsistency in evangelicalism for a long time.
[...] to Justin Taylor, who has linked to Erik Raymond and Kevin Deyoung, who have commented on the “cheap” context of this shot taken at a guy who is not [...]
[...] DeYoung’s Comments: Krattenmaker is appalled that Tebow’s father’s evangelistic association espouses a [...]
I have a question for anyone who has played sports before and is a Christian. You know that high you get when you score the game winning touchdown or the shooting the basket to win the game in the last seconds. That high of rejoicing with your teammates. That feeling that everything is right in the world for that moment because the game was so close and your team won. Why don’t we feel that when some unbeliever comes to Christ, or someone gets baptized. I think if we are honest with ourselves we seldom get as excited for spiritual thing than we do the Superbowl, or FInal Four. Maybe I am just a terrible sinner who is the only one that feels that way, but as a former football player who played and practiced football 7 days a week and is now sidelined due to knee surgery. I desire to see that intensity and passion in our faith. I just don’t see the people of God get that excited for people coming to Christ or even a good sermon. Let me know your thoughts!
Oh and Tim Tebow’s testimony has probably encouraged more people than we can even imagine. It gives hope to every homeschool church kid and is a living example of a guy in a secular university (that can be known for its partying) and still live for God. I pray that there are no skeletons in his closet that will come out later and we find out that he was a raging hypocrite.
Frank, if Tim Tebow turns out to be a raging hypocrite, then he’d finally belong in the church…I’m kidding of course…a little. The fact is that we are all hypocrites. One example? We claim to love Christ but spend more time celebrating a touchdown than we do a new soul saved. It is a pity, and it’s sad.
This is a bit of a bunny trail, but since we’re talking about the passions of Christians…
I’d really like to see more people passionate about their churches, or even the church in general! (Dan this is in no way directed at you. I agree that we’re all hypocrites.) I know so many people that say that they love Jesus, but have no love for his church, and I know a few that even show disdain for it.
“‘cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church”
-Derek Webb
Just a thought.
[...] know Jesus only think of us as foolish “conservative evangelicals”. Erik Raymond and Kevin Deyoung have responded. Below are [...]
Will anybody remember Krattenmaker’s name two thousand years from now? Why does anybody care what Krattenmaker thinks?
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Great commentary.
Thanks for sharing this Kevin. This is exceptionally scary.
Hey Kevin maybe you could give Ted Kluck to comment on this topic. I know I would love to hear his take with his book on the subject of Christians and sports, and being a sports writer and all…
[...] Kevin DeYoung Sphere: Related [...]
How can you really expect to feel the same excitement for a 2000 year old mindset that someone is supernaturally changed when that shows no evidence of actual permanent change after simply saying some words of a prayer? The Bible uses enough agricultural reference to indicate that entering the kingdom of God is not simply just being ‘born’ into it, but also very much like a farmer planting a seed and waiting for it to bear fruit. In sports we get an instant ‘win’. C’mon kids. Don’t beat yourself up, guys. Maybe if you were chillin with the angels and saw some sort of supernatural change instantly take place when a person is ’saved’ then you would celebrate accordingly. But we don’t get that viewpoint. No biggie.
Sports are great. They provide great entertainment and enjoyment on many levels. I like watching and playing sports. OK.
However, just like every other institution they could use some reforming. Here is a simple ethical law that will change professional sports forever— The Sabbath.
If professional & Christian players actually stood up and refused to play on Sundays, and honored the holiness of the Lord, and set out to be the distinct people they and we are called to be— well, the whole sports world might actually take them more seriously. And, what at the moment is seen to be a kind of gnostic faith would have real concrete implications for the world.
“But what he and other folks who hold similar views can’t seem to get is their own bigotry, defined of course as an intolerance towards other’s beliefs and opinions. What makes this sort of bigotry especially deceptive is that it masquerades as being open-minded, tolerant, self-evident. He laments that evangelical Christians have “little appreciation for the beliefs of the rest of us,” all the while SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS the fact that he has little appreciation for the beliefs of evangelical Christians. Ahem, physician, heal thyself.”
http://kicking-the-darkness.blogspot.com/2009/10/stating-obvious-or-what-should-be.html