Tebow cancels speaking engagement at church

[wargunfan]

Originally Posted by Lawdog88

It may have been beyond Tim's ability at his young age, but he could have used the opportunity to suggest to the congregation that God's love is for all men and women no matter what circumstance or status they find themselves in, in life. Perhaps he could have convinced them that reaching out to the undesirable, the different, the outcast, the hated, and the sinner - like we all once were and continue to be, i.e., in need of continual filling and renewal of God's graceful forgiveness - with God's unconditional love, is what is required of us all.

Perhaps he could have found a way to have ameloriated the pastor's remarks in some small way, without abandoning the core of his faith or diluting the double-edged message of Christ.

As we know, it isn't an easy task to live and preach the true gospel and to minister God's love to others, because the natural inclinations of the old self (e.g., emotion, pride, fear, arrogance, stubbornness, sloth) are still with us and try to get in God's way.

I don't know why Tim made his decision, but the alleged controversy may have been too much of a theological challenge for him to handle.

The PC secular media would have twisted his message and used it against him and all Christians. Tim was in a no win situation. He probably did what was best.

[wargunfan]

Tim has no incentive to make himself a lightning rod for the anti Christian media. He is a brand and needs to keep himself marketable in the NFL. Team owners don't want controversy coming to their franchises. He made the right decision.

[fairfaxgator]

Originally Posted by gatorman_07732

You are more realistic on this than most others on the left. All things aside he is basically looking for a job and can't afford to get roasted in the media.

True...but he is not being denied the right to free speech or religion by the government...it is all about the private business...and business rules the marketplace...

Why cant the role or image of Tebow be about treating others with respect and understanding other views...is this an antithesis to Evangelical Christianity?

[RealGatorFan]

Originally Posted by Lawdog88

Actually, I view it as a missed opportunity by Tim.

But I am sure his agent counseled otherwise.

It is a politically correct world.

This. I've already seen a few Christian journalists say this hurt Tim's rep because up until now he never backed down from anything. He could have used this moment to chastize the pastor.

[msa3]

It is allowed, but be prepared to be dragged through the slime and the mud if you do not choose the PC way.

Tell that to Natalie Maines, or Jane Fonda, or John Lennon, or Chris Jackson -- all people whose careers and reputations were *actually* dragged through the slime and the mud for stating unpopular positions. I don't think there is a single case of someone dragged through the slime and the mud for Christian principles. If you stand up and say you don't like gays, then gays won't support the products you support, and companies may choose not to hire you. But that's not PC -- that's just marketing.

And for the record, aside from a few stand-up comedians, no one EVER says anything bad about Tebow's beliefs or his morals -- in fact, every criticism of him, with the SINGLE exception of Merrill Hodge after the latest Jets issue, starts with "he's a great guy and a good role model, but" -- centers on his ability to play quarterback in the NFL.

[northgagator]

Originally Posted by Lawdog88

North, I played.

Next.

Law,
You played it well.
All I was trying to do was show that people can have opinions that some people can have controversial opinions but still be worthy of receiving the same respects that all Americans exercise.

If Tebow was a pro choice advocate, a Obama kool-aide drinker, a tree higher, pro Palestinian, or a Marxist I would not deny him a job or anything else.

On the other side if the coin: If Tebow supported the bombing of abortion clinics, or an active Cross Burning member of the KKK, or supporting Palestinian terrorist, or a KGB spy then I would want him arrested.

I guess what Ian trying to say is that Tim has not broken any laws. He should not be judged for his religious beliefs as long as he stays inside of the law.

[tec68]

Originally Posted by peytiepie

Amen, Lawdog! I'm very disappointed in Tim for bowing to the PC Police.

Why would you be disappointed?

I am a Christian and honestly wish he could have spoken God's word there but he didn't. Tim Tebow is an excellent man but he has had more pressure on him than most people.

He will speak there if it is God's will.

I just wish I could give him some encouragement and let him know I support him as long as he believes that he is putting God's will before his own.

[tec68]

Originally Posted by 96Gatorcise

Bottom Line:

At this point in his life, Tim cares more about his image and his current and future endorsement deals than sharing his faith and views with like-minded individuals.

I do not blame him, he has a small window to make really good money doing commercials and collecting an NFL check. When it is gone he can spread his faith and beliefs to like mined individuals.

How can you come to that conclusion?

He might have put his own will in front of God's will but who are we to say that happened?

Going to speak at that church might not have been the Lord's plan for Tim at this time. Or Tim might have gone and done his own thing. We cannot know that answer.

[tec68]

Originally Posted by RealGatorFan

This. I've already seen a few Christian journalists say this hurt Tim's rep because up until now he never backed down from anything. He could have used this moment to chastize the pastor.

Honestly that is ridiculous. He is human. All of those journalists along with every other Christian has backed down one time or another. Tim Tebow is still a young man, he is not Billy Graham.

[northgagator]

Originally Posted by tec68

Honestly that is ridiculous. He is human. All of those journalists along with every other Christian has backed down one time or another. Tim Tebow is still a young man, he is not Billy Graham.

Nor is he God's spokesperson. For the most part When Tim speaks out for Christianity he is speaking about his own faith in God and Jesus Christ. I do not recall him telling other people outside of his circle how to live or publicly condemning anyone. I believe that privately he loves all of God's children and he prays for all of us.

My own feeling is that Tim doesn't need to tell us how to live or condemn us for how we live. Up to now Tim has been a very effective Christian by showing people how to live like a Christian. As far as I am concerned he doesn't need to say anything. His actions speak louder than any words can ever be..

[msa3]

I do not recall him telling other people outside of his circle how to live or publicly condemning anyone ... Up to now Tim has been a very effective Christian by showing people how to live like a Christian.

That's an interesting point. I don't think TT has ever told others how to live. He has, however, associated with many people who have told people how to live. Do you think that by making those associations, he endorses the views of the people involved? I don't know, but I can assure you that most people would see it that way.

[96Gatorcise]

Originally Posted by tec68

How can you come to that conclusion?

He might have put his own will in front of God's will but who are we to say that happened?

Going to speak at that church might not have been the Lord's plan for Tim at this time. Or Tim might have gone and done his own thing. We cannot know that answer.

Because I do not believe in fairy tales. Everyone makes up their own mind. You can pray all you want but in the end it is the man that makes the decision.

[northgagator]

Originally Posted by msa3

That's an interesting point. I don't think TT has ever told others how to live. He has, however, associated with many people who have told people how to live. Do you think that by making those associations, he endorses the views of the people involved? I don't know, but I can assure you that most people would see it that way.

Msa3 you make a very good point as well!

Tim is still a very young man playing on a very big stage. Like any young person in this situation he is going to make some mistakes. I don't know if Tim has any personal handlers or mentors or if he is flying solo. What ever is going on it appears that he and or his mentors/handlers have done a good job so far.

In the immediate future Tim has to be more careful with his associations

[tec68]

Originally Posted by 96Gatorcise

Because I do not believe in fairy tales. Everyone makes up their own mind. You can pray all you want but in the end it is the man that makes the decision.

You are correct sir, every man does make their own decision. The man can choose to follow God's will or man's will.

[CalSFGator]

Originally Posted by fairfaxgator

Views or not, you have to be living under a rock if you think this was not also a business decision...hence deciding nearly 2 months before the appearance...

Tebow is a brand...and that my friends is capitalism

Yes, but Tebow isn't allowed to make business decisions, he has to follow the path demanded by some on the hardcore christian right. It's so unPC on the right for him to care about his brand.

[cocodrilo]

This is the kind of thing that bugs me about biblical literalism. Interpreting the Bible is one thing. Beating people over the head with it is another.

Religion is ultimately between a person and his or her God. There is no logical or spiritual reason why it should depend what is written in ancient books or preached from pulpits. The Bible, as worthy and inspiring a book as it is, has nothing at all of any value to say about homosexuality. It has done nothing but promote hatred and prejudice on the subject, because of what some ancient Israelites thought about it and what a preacher named Paul thought about it centuries later.

If someone is personally repulsed by homosexuality, fine. But it's condemned as a "sin" based on the same holy book that, among other things, has God through Moses ordering people to be stoned to death for picking up sticks on the sabbath.

I guess what would make this God really mad would be homosexuals picking up sticks on the sabbath. Stoning would be too good for 'em.

[Distant Gator]

One thing not yet mentioned- per Wiki:

"Also in 2010, Jeffress (the Dallas 1st preacher) referred to Roman Catholicism as a "Satanic" result of "Babylonian mystery religion."[7]"

Based on my 30+ years experience as a conservative Baptist- condemning Catholics like this is not the norm. There is some room doctrinally between Catholics and Baptists- but there is no way Tebow would want to be seen condoning this comment on Catholics.

Furthermore, the Phillippines are 80%+ Catholic (I understand most are nominal.) This could hurt his efforts there and his family's efforts there.

I've taken evangelical classes and one of the first rules is never say anything bad about any other church. Obviously Tebow is well aware of this. I wonder if the anti-Catholic comment was what was really behind this cancellation.

[cocodrilo]

Originally Posted by Distant Gator

"Also in 2010, Jeffress (the Dallas 1st preacher) referred to Roman Catholicism as a "Satanic" result of "Babylonian mystery religion."[7]"

Oh, but Jeffress would smile and say that he loves Catholics, he just hates the Satanism.

[jimgata]

Once Tim accepted the invitation, he was in a no win situation. His acceptance ranks only behind his decision to go to the Jets.

[g8trdoc]

I'm actually disappointed in him. Shouldn't he show up and teach the word of God and love for everyone instead of hiding? This shows to me that in this case he was more concerned about PR that the word of God being brought to some people that need to hear it.