By now you've probably heard about the firestorm surrounding an advertisement to be aired during the Super Bowl. Tim Tebow, by all accounts a remarkable young man of faith and courage--not to mention one of the top-five best college football players ever--is airing a simple positive ad about how his mother chose life over abortion. When this was announced, the fury of the abortion crowd came to an instant boil.There were exceptions to this rage, and if you want to read a remarkable article about this, written by a Washington Post editorialist, go to CJ Mahaney's blog. But the exceptions are just that. The rule has been a blind, raging, irrational vitriol against this ad.
The question is why? Why do these folks loathe the thought that an opposing idea might get some air time? They have no opposition to ads promoting drinking (which kills millions) or illicit sex (which leads to untold sorrows), or raw materialism (which destroys countless lives) or scantily clad women (which presents women as objects to be drooled over rather than persons to be respected). They oppose only an ad that promotes family and life. Why the rage?
Oddly I see here another reason (one I hadn't planned to offer but I now cannot resist) why I believe the Bible is God's Word: because the wicked hate its light and truth so much. The Bible tells us that people will hate the light (John 3:19, 20). And they do.
People reserve for the Bible a level of hatred that they show to no other book, no other deposit of ideas, no other philosophy or belief system, or code of morals. Although Islam has killed its millions, Christianity is more hated. Although Hinduism has kept women and lower castes in abject poverty for millenia, Christianity is more despised. Although atheism has led to the slaughter of hundreds of millions (in the 20th century alone), people are more afraid of and opposed to biblical faith.
Why the irrational fear of the message of the Bible? Why do people foam at the mouth when a young man wants to take just 30 seconds of their time to present a view different from their own? The answer is simple, but profound: the truth is light that exposes the darkness of their souls.
People know when they open a Bible or when someone opens his mouth to speak simple Bible truth, that they are about to have the reality of their lives exposed under a shining light. The Koran or the Hindu scriptures or even the rantings of an atheist don't scare people--because their ideas pose no threat to man's guilty conscience; truth does.
It may seem ironic, but I'd say that the fact so many utterly despise the teachings of the Bible is one more reason to believe those teachings are true. The Bible gets the human condition right. The fact that people rage against it only goes to prove that it is so.
If God is real and God is holy and God's Law is right and pure and good, one would expect that all that is not holy will despise and want to silence them. And that is what is.
Tim Tebow's shining light and the reaction of those in darkness remind us one more time that the Bible must tell the truth about us. Why else would humans hate it so?
I loved this post! I do definitely agree with you, and it is clear that people hate the truth that the light of the Word brings. But I also am unfortunately aware - and have experienced as a non-Christian for nearly 30 years - the morality police that some Christians are, that try to tell everyone how wrong they are living there lives. Why wouldn't people apart from Christ live their lives as they see fit?
ReplyDeleteI am glad this football player seems to be using a sensitive touch to his commercial. But again, this is not always the case, and believers can be just as shrill as non-believers when it comes to defending their views - or attacking another's. So my point is, that sometimes it is the way the message is oresented that causes people to get turned off, moreso than the message itself. Or at least that is what i have experienced, and have had countless frinds tell me (as they thank me for telling my views in a non-judgmental way to them). Just my two cents.
Gregory
A point well taken Gregory--and worth reflecting on to be sure.
ReplyDeleteLadies and gentlemen: we must be always ready to give the truth (1Peter 3:15), but we must do so with "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:16).
Two things are to be learned from the Tim Tebow phenomenon. Both are vital for our conversation.
One is that character, grace, and obvious sincere love will compel at least some unbelievers to respect and pay attention to what we have to say.
Remarkably some pro-abortion folks (like the Washington Post writer mentioned in my post) are willing to give his ad a chance. Why? Because Mr. Tebow's life is unarguably one of character, grace, and compassion.
In all my years I have never heard of any Christian cultural figure other than perhaps Tony Dungy, another remarkable Christian man, so highly regarded and widely respected by unbelievers as is Tim Tebow.
This--in line with Gregory's concern--has given Mr. Tebow a hearing.
The second thing to be learned from this episode is that even when the messenger is marked by such character and grace, the world will still despise the message.
People hate truth even when they love the truth teller. Such was the case with Jesus.
People were drawn irresistably to Jesus' love, grace, and humble character. But in time, their hatred for His truth-filled words overpowered their love and respect for His holiness and love-filled life.
Both of these lessons speak powerfully to our understanding of how we are to speak the truth, and what we may expect if we do.
As for this conversation, I hope others will chime in. This is one conversation worth having.
Thanks Gregory.
Very well said------Tim, your post; Gregory, your comment; and Tim, your follow-up. Your follow-up was especially helpful in pulling together these two essential principles that must characterize our lives and our witness----- grace and truth.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful!
I stand alone on the Word of God
ReplyDeletethe B I B L E !!! BIBLE !
Very well put, Tim !
Yes Tim, I will chime in...
ReplyDeleteThe pro-abortion, "reproductive rights" folks have exposed their true colors on this one! They are fit to be tied, without even having seen the ad! By all reports, the ad is ever so mild, and simply tells the story of one woman's choice, and the marvellous consequences of it.
The great irony here is that these protesters call themselves "Pro Choice." They should be praising this commercial. Why? Because this woman, Mrs. Tebow, excercised the freedom to make a "choice." That IS what they stand for, isn't it?
And so, they have gone too far, and given the lie to the "pro-choice" label.
An agnostic writer for the Denver Post opined on all this fuss recently. Though not a man of faith himself, he is at odds with those who protest this commercial. He went on in his column to tell the story of his mother, who risked her own life, against the advice of physicians, to keep the baby she was carrying, which was this writers sister.
Even the New York Times has called this protest to the ad "sanctimonious." (For once we can agree with the New York Times on social issues!)
So, these women's groups have over-played this to their own harm, and I am so glad the public gets to see this.
BUT, (sorry for waxing on), as for the real point of your post... Tim, EXCELLENT insight! Yes, why would this Book, and morality in general, take such a hit, and inspire so much vitriol? There must be something unusual, and supernatural going on here.
Great post Tim!
Great comments and insights folks. Thanks for offering them. Keep them coming.
ReplyDelete"The Making of an Atheist" by James Spiegel.
ReplyDeleteWhat , one might ask, does this book have to do with our issue?
Mr. Spiegel points out an often forgotton fact that a mans' sin, further blinds him to the truth. His sin will not let him believe. The scriptures often point out that men can not believe because their sin has a hardening effect on their ability to ascertain truth. The circle remains unbroken. The more they sin, the less truth they can grasp, the less they grasp, the more they sin. This is the active outpouring of God or the revelation of the wrath of God as seen in Romans 1 and Habakuk 3. The 3 fold abandonment of mankind by God in Rom.1 is primarily God withholding his common grace toward sinners. "God gave them up". The Biblical doctrine of Common Grace as seen in the Puritan writings has been much neglected in our day. God hardens men so that they can't believe. The more they sin, the less they can believe regarding truth.
Moreover, we as believers, should see that this is also true of us. The writer to the Hebrews goes over this theme at least twice. Today, if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. We too, my brothers and sisters are liable to unbelief if we persist in known sin.
This reaction to Mr. Tebow's scheduled testimony, betrays hardened hearts due to sin. Let us all take heed lest we find in one of us, an evil heart of unbelief.
This is why Habakuk cries to God regarding the serious chastening about to befall Judah by the Chaldeans, when he says,"in wrath, remember mercy".
As we look at the hatred of Gods truth and His messengers, let us not forget that that was once me. I mocked, I joked, I ridiculed, I sinned, I couldn't believe until God in his mercy visited me.
My thoughts.....
JR
John:
ReplyDeleteyou speak to soemthing that will actually be the last reason I give for why I believe. in a word the answer is: God.
Or if you will: grace.
Why did the light of truth draw some of us while it repels and infuriates others? God and grace alone.
More on that at another time.
Tim
What you say 'tis sadly true John.
ReplyDeleteA little preview of your upcoming teaching on Habakkuk to whet our appetites?
Whet indeed brer Bruce, the parallels between Romans 1 & Habakuk are remarkable. I shall make those remarks (DV) on Feb. 28th at 8:30AM. Be there or be square, as my children used to say.
ReplyDeleteJR
Great post! Also Great responses!
ReplyDeleteBetween the post and the responses, I was reminded of this passage of Scripture from
I Peter 4.
12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18And
"If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.