Basing his October 14 column on an anti-evangelical Christian screed by another opinion columnist, Sam Cook of the Fort Myers [Fla.] News-Press tackled Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow for his both his religious convictions and his commitment to being open about his faith (h/t NB commenter and Florida alumna Blonde).
It's hard to find fault with such an exemplary young man, but I have.
In a Monday story in USA Today, religion writer Tom Krattenmaker reported these findings:
"Tebow does his missionary trips to the Philippines under the auspices of his father Bob Tebow's Evangelistic Association. The Tebow organization espouses a far-right theology. Its bottom line: Only those who assent to its version of Christianity will avoid eternal punishment. The ministry boldly declares, 'We reject the modern ecumenical movement.'"
If Tebow is selling that, this Lutheran isn't buying.
So Cook is hoping to visit the "sins" of the father on the son, associating father Bob Tebow's "far-right theology" with his son Tim's. But the tag "far-right theology" is a loaded label, as the elder Tebow's theology is simply a conservative, evangelical Protestant take on what the Bible teaches about salvation.
Indeed, it's likely Martin Luther, the founder of Cook's denomination, would heartily nod in agreement with most if not all of Tebow's brief summary of the doctrine of salvation:
We believe that the vicarious, substitutionary blood atonement of Christ makes possible the salvation of every living soul (I John 2:2; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13). The invitation to salvation is made to all. This justification is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8), through faith alone (Romans 3:20-28; Romans 4:4-5; John 5:24; John 6:35) in Christ alone (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) without works of any kind before or after salvation (Romans 3:20; Romans 4:4-5; Isaiah 64:6). Salvation is a free gift (Romans 6:23) that needs only to be received- by man putting his faith/trust/belief in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 4:19-5:1).
But historical evangelical Christian teaching be damned, literally, Cook argues. It's just too damn intolerant, and we can't tolerate that:
"Let's not forget the twinge that is felt by sports-loving Jewish kids and parents, for example, or by champions for interfaith cooperation, when adored sports figures like Tebow use their fame to push a Jesus-or-else message," Krattenmaker says.
Jesus or else?
Krattenmaker says sports-world evangelicalism excludes the Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, non-evangelical Protestant and agnostic.
The next time Tebow throws a "Hail Mary" pass, look beyond the eye black.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Tebow
October 14, 2009 - 10:34 ET by saw the lightThis ought to blow Blonde's lid!
What does Tebow's stance matter to this moron? If he has strong convictions, he has the right to vocalize those convictions. Christianity is exclusionary? Try to be a Christian in a muslim nation and tell us about exclusion and bigotry!
"I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Barack Obama to "Joe the Plumber"
Then you're Dyin'
October 14, 2009 - 10:35 ET by NortoLutheran or any one else who thinks His Word will be mocked.
Better stick to reporting, but if you have a day job, don't quit it!~imagine what a comeback Tebow made after the hit he took. Cook would be better off railing on the refs for not calling those hits better to discourage the violence. Throw them out for a quarter or more. I saw one in the UConn game this weekend that should have had the police on the field for an assault charge. In the Tebow instance, probably Cook was inwardly delighted that the missionary got whacked. Serves him right, huh?
Ignorant A$$
October 14, 2009 - 10:36 ET by OneCleverCookieIt was only a matter of time before the hate filled media attacked Tebow for his faith. It is becoming increasingly evident that anyone with Tebow's convictions will be burned at the proverbial media stake, along with the Palins of the world. Here is a young man who is enormously talented, disciplined, and dedicated to become the best player he can be. So instead of extolling this man's virtues, the little peons of the anti Christian press excoriate this man for the very virtues that make him great. Where have we gone?
BTW, I'm an LSU fan; tough loss this past weekend.
OneCleverCookie
October 14, 2009 - 10:44 ET by Jerry MackYou nailed it! Do not be surprised to hear a call from this crowd to ban the term " Hail Mary "
Just normal.
October 14, 2009 - 10:37 ET by DarasenSeems like just a typical response from the "inclusive" and "tolerant" left. Of course if Tebow was a Muslim or a dogmatic aethiest (a religon itself, ironically) I am sure the article would be about how wondeful he is to express his beliefs.
Have you read it?
October 14, 2009 - 10:54 ET by cvgbuckeyeHave you read the Bible Mr. Krattenmaker? What version was it? Did it give an example of any other way for salvation than through Jesus Christ? Or did you cut the exclusivity parts out with scissors and write in your own version of inclusiveness?
Even so, where did you interpret Tim's remarks as Catholics being excluded from salvation?
Let me assist you. You ARE NOT applying thoughts of the Lutheran position, but your own.
Let me assist you further: If Jews or Muslims or Ohioans or Floridians or Australians or Eskimos or ................. do not accept Jesus Christ and are saved by grace through that faith, then I would invite you to show me, IN THE BIBLE, some other way for them to enter the kingdom of heaven. Please do sir. I will await your answer until Hell freezes over.
Lets face it Mr. Krattenmaker, you are either clueless about Christianity/ Jesus Christ and God's Holy Word, or you have never read the Bible.
If any of the aforementioned are the case, then I suggest that you would feel comfortable in the religion of Oprah Winfrey. Go, be my guest.
Sam Cook
October 14, 2009 - 13:30 ET by rpeeler42I live in Fort Myers and read Sam all the time. He is usually very supportive of American ideals and stands up for the military and police officers. In short, contrary to what you may think, he is what I would call a very popular opinion columnist, locally. I do think he went somewhat overboard on the religious bashing, but most of us make a mistake from time to time. So, in this case give him a little slack.
I'm sure he's not a
October 14, 2009 - 15:53 ET by Carl KolchakI'm sure he's not a bad guy, and besides I think Sam Cook is a good singer too. I've been impressed with what I've read about how Lutherans were treated in East Germany and the role the Lutheran Church played for citizens there. The government though infiltrated the church because they wanted to keep tabs on everyone, so some members were actually government informers. In the middle of the link below it talks about Lutherans in East Germany.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/352073/Lutheranism/260061/Organization
"The Chancellor-the late chancellor-was only part correct. He was obsolete. But so was the State, the entity he worshiped. Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of man, that state is obsolete. A Case to be filed under 'M' for Mankind in the Twilight Zone." Rod Serling
Satan's Lies
October 14, 2009 - 10:52 ET by mattm"Only those who assent to its version of Christianity will avoid eternal punishment."
That's a misrepresentation - hence it's a lie. It's not assent to a version of Christianity, it's faith in Christ. But I don't expect a Self-worshipping humanist bigot to be able to make any kind of simple and reasonable distinction - especially when the goal is to slander evangelical Christians.
"Jesus said to him; I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me." - John 14:6
I guess Jesus is saying what Tebow is saying..... whereas Krappenslinger and Cook are imitating their god - the father of lies - Satan.
Sam Cook is an anti-Chrisian bigot.
October 14, 2009 - 11:01 ET by R D HelmHey, it's a free country (for now) and Sam is free to be an ignorant bigot if he so chooses.
Of course, once they start hauling Christians off to the concentration camps, and later to places far worse, bigotry such as his will take on a whole different meaning.
This was the sort of vile tripe similar to the anti-Semitic stuff that was circulating around Germany in the '20s and '30s.
By 1945, the Jewish population of the entire planet had been reduced by 1/3.
-Dave
Finding Fault
October 14, 2009 - 10:55 ET by BlondeIt's hard to find fault with such an exemplary young man, but I have.
Of course you have. Bash him for his faith. Disgusting.
Tim Tebow normally wears Phil 4:13 under his eyes....I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It is, simply, who he is.
During the BCS game last year, he changed it up to John 3:16, which immediately became the most googled term on the internet. Perhaps that also has something to do with this columnist's axle wrap. Tebow has the ability to positively influence hundreds of thousands of people without saying a word.
So this fine young man, a natural leader, gets bashed for his faith, and the good work his father has done, by a twit who has nothing better to say. Charming.
Thanks, Ken, for further exposing the shallowness of this columnist's Tebow bash. Well done.
I hope he fails, too.
He should start praying now
October 14, 2009 - 11:31 ET by Another Dead KennedyHe should start praying now that he doesn't end up like Matt Stafford - on a crappy NFL team. Who knows? Maybe he'll end up with Rush and the Rams next year.
That would be sweet
October 14, 2009 - 11:34 ET by BlondeActually....I think Jacksonville is pretty interested.
I hope he fails, too.
I'm sure that all 4 teams
October 14, 2009 - 11:44 ET by Another Dead KennedyI'm sure that all 4 teams with an 0-5 record are interested, as well as the 4-5 teams with 1-4 records. He'll go to a snowy city. He will be punished by the football gods for being too good in college.
xoxo - Ted
Doesn't Tim Tebow know he's
October 14, 2009 - 10:57 ET by Carl KolchakDoesn't Tim Tebow know he's in college and that he should be wearing Che shirts to class on Monday and praising Che, and wearing Mao shirts on Tuesdays and praising Mao, and wearing a sickle and hammer shirt to classes on Wednesday and praising Communism, and wearing Ho Chi Minh shirts on Thursdays to class and praising Ho Chi Minh and then on Fridays he should be spying on all his other classmates to make sure they are conforming to left wing college professors demands, and he must report any college student who isn't worshiping Che and Company.
And then when Tebow is interviewed after games, he must talk about how horrible and rotten his country is, and how horrible and rotten his parents are, and that people shouldn't love God or their family, and they must only love the State.
What about Friday's Obama
October 15, 2009 - 08:53 ET by Casey97What about Friday's Obama shirt?
/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-
With Democrat revisionist history and liberals guaranteeing the future (global warming, nuclear destruction, etc.) only the future is certain; the past is always changing.
The bible
October 14, 2009 - 11:09 ET by sevenWe also have scripture verses for the Olympic darling speed skater
cindy Klassen on her web site.
Oklahoma Sam Bradford the heisman winner is also a Christian
These face a world of intolerance.
Three years in a row!
October 14, 2009 - 12:32 ET by ArcherBSo is this year's winner, Colt McCoy!
"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary."
--Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Sam Cook - Read the Bible much?
October 14, 2009 - 11:29 ET by nolotrippenI guess a good name for such folks would be CINOs: Christians in Name Only.
Bets anyone?
October 14, 2009 - 12:15 ET by cajun2The Fringe media of late have become bullies because they have been given full approval to do so. Labels like "tea baggers, racist, tinfoil nutjobs" taking the place of civil discourse. The media will hound this young man to give a statement. I will wager his statement will consist of "never apologize for principals and beliefs, be tolerant of others, and forgive those who know not what they do". He will perform again with class and discipline so sadly lacking in our world today. This young man should give us all hope for this next generation.
Agreed, cajun
October 14, 2009 - 12:41 ET by BlondeYou are spot-on, too. The media is continually in his face about everything.....even his sex life, for crying out loud.
Because he proudly lives his faith, the press feels they can criticize him for it (because, truly...what else can they take shots at?). I doubt he'll respond though. The only time he's lashed out (sort of) was when they went after his coach.
The broader point is that the media loves to build someone up, just to tear them down later, with whatever flimsy excuse they can.
Oh...FYI, I saw a YouTube video of Tiger stadium prior to the kick off Saturday night....with the cajun music blaring...that place really rocks.
I hope he fails, too.
This writer needs to go to Miami
October 14, 2009 - 12:53 ET by cajun2Article today says 5 teenagers set fire to a 15 yr old boy for trying to protect his property. Sam Cook needs to interview these boys and he will learn none of these "feral children" are Christians. Then tell people who you want as a role model for your children. He should be singing Tims praises, pardon the pun.
PS. yea, death valley is something. Cajuns give it flavor.
Then so what?
October 14, 2009 - 13:49 ET by srhoadesIf "this Lutheran isn't buying it", then so what? It always amazes me how nonbelievers get upset because believers might think they're final destination is not pleasant. If you don't believe in a final destination then why do you care?
Same thing goes for people with different religious beliefs. If you know what you believe in, and are secure in that belief, why do you care what other people believe about you? So long as they are not trying to blow you up it doesn't matter.
Tolerance?
October 14, 2009 - 14:09 ET by scarebear83Today's society has become nothing but a bunch of intolerant bigots. "You must tolerate my view and accept me or you're a bigot!" But I thought the left wanted to tolerate other's views... as long as it's perfectly in sync with their's.
__________
Shazbot!
This is a great example of
October 14, 2009 - 14:12 ET by deerjerkydaveThis is a great example of intolerance from the left. How dare Tebow have a different religion or point of view from those on left! How dare Tebow believe that some people are sinners! He's soooo intolerant.
Liberals are only liberal when it comes to sin. But they want to regulate and control every other inch of our lives.
LCMS
October 14, 2009 - 14:14 ET by mabeleeI'm a member of the LCMS, which is one of the more conservative Lutheran denominations. Ken Shepherd linked to our denomination's website in the article, and I am interested in knowing if Krattenmaker is indeed a member of the LCMS, which does most heartily teach salvation through faith in Christ alone. However there are other much more liberal Lutheran denominations, the largest of which is the ELCA. I found this snippet on the ELCA website "Our salvation is through faith alone -- a confident trust in God, who in Christ promises us forgiveness, life and salvation;" which is more in line with the more universalist beliefs of Kattenmaker than the tenets of the LCMS are.
Someone made a point
October 14, 2009 - 14:45 ET by ConservativeRexSomeone made a point earlier in this thread that is correct. This is the beginnings of a Christian Pogrom. Actually, it is a continuation of one. It will eventually progress to an overtly full out attack on Christian beliefs.
Like most of us that follow college football we know the career of young Tebow. The thing that is admirable of him, is the one thing not pointed out by this obviously biased scribbler. Tebow will not retaliate against this fella. Tebow actually does practice his Christian faith. He has a lot to offer all of us, if we pay attention.
I hope the Longhorns get a chance to face Tebow and his team in the NC. You always want to play the best at their best. The 'horns should be honored to get a chance to play against Tebow.
Si Vis Palem, Para Bellum
I agree. Christian
October 14, 2009 - 18:47 ET by deerjerkydaveI agree. Christian beliefs and traditions are already under attack, in particular when it comes to families. For example, wives are treated as second class women if they choose to raise their children at home. Husbands aren't needed for women to raise their children. Children should be aborted. Marriage should be redefined to include homosexual partnerships. These are just a few of the ways that they are pushing their anti-Christian agenda.
The problem liberals have with traditional Christianity is that Christianity says certain behaviors are not allowed. Liberals view these rules as "intolerant" and "bigoted" and "hateful." They can't seem to wrap their minds around the concept that it is possible to hate the sin but love the sinner.
I'll tell you what...let's not listen to the...
October 14, 2009 - 15:04 ET by stage9unqualified columnist..let's go right to the Source of "far-right theology" - Jesus Christ.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
The word "see" here means not only to "understand" the kingdom but broadly also means: "to be a part of the Kingdom of God". In order to be a Christian, one must be born again and turn from a lifestyle of sin. "For the wages of sin is death but the Gift of God (Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind) is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Further, the "far-right theologian" - Jesus Christ - also said: "I am THE way, THE truth and THE life, no one goes unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
John 3:17: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Saved from what? Sin. Sin separated all of mankind from God. This is not some "far-right theology". This is Christianity 101! It's common sense to anyone who truly knows God and His Word.
Jesus was a Jew. He died for Jew and Gentile (the rest of us) alike. He is no respector of persons, (does not show favoritism). (Acts 10:34)
Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
As for intolerance, Christianity is intolerant of one thing: sin. Christianity upholds the value of the person, but condemns ACTIONS that are anti-Christ, anti-Biblical, & anti-God. Sin is the problem (immoral, unethical, ungodly actions) not the person.
We love people - we hate sin. (even our own)
Another point about intolerance...ALL RELIGIONS ARE INTOLERANT OF SOMETHING. Islam. Hinduism. Buddhism. Even the "non-exclusivists" exclude the "exclusivists"! Intolerance isn't even limited to religion. All of us are intolerant of something.
Why do people hate Jesus' claim to exclusivity? because it means they are accountable and men do NOT like accountability.
John 3:19-21 And this is the condemnation, that light (JESUS) is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light (JESUS), because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light (JESUS), neither cometh to the light (JESUS), lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light (JESUS), that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
"If God is dead, somebody is going to have to take his place. It will
be megalomania or erotomania, the drive for power or the drive for
pleasure, the clenched fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hefner."
— Malcolm Muggeridge
This is no surprise
October 14, 2009 - 15:05 ET by Kat Outta the BagIt's been open season on Christians for some time now. I wish I could say I'm shocked, but no.
The "twinge" here is the
October 14, 2009 - 17:13 ET by TenebrousThe "twinge" here is the twinge of a guilty conscience. Sam just can't handle that this man is living a holy life in the public sphere and so he has to quench that light. After all, every false teaching is acceptable, and every perversity is welcomed in the modern sports world, but no man is allowed to express the point of view that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. That viewpoint is not allowed.
Sam can't handle public expressions of faith in a God that he says he worships. So whose side are you really helping, Sam? I think I know.
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Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
Refreshing, huh?
October 14, 2009 - 21:31 ET by CpickeringYou can check it on YouTube. All three finalists for last year's Heisman Trophy - Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford - freely profess their faith!
Call for a Congressional Inquiry!!
BTW - Sam Cook is a putz. I live in Lee County, FL and dropped the News Press because it is SOOOOO biased!
They
October 15, 2009 - 08:51 ET by jessieHThey don't think a white player can be a good quarterback.