It must really be the year of the Christian athlete...Tim Tebow, Linsanity, and now Bubba Watson wins the Masters' Golf Tournament. Check out this article on his faith.
I especially loved this tweet on the eve of the final round of the tournament, after Watson had played himself into contention for the championship: Thanks everyone for the support! 3 reasons tomorrow will be #awesome, 1. Jesus has risen 2. See my new baby boy & my wife 3. Masters Sunday
He really seems like a man who has his values in order...praise God. Let's pray that it stays that way, given the enormous boost his golf career took yesterday.
A couple of weeks ago I posted the Youtube clip of Nadin Khoury meeting DeSean Jackson of the Eagles on the view. Today I read this article from Rick Reilly, and especially this quote helped me to grasp why I love this story:
I keep thinking about why I cried that day. I think it's that when the biggest and fiercest and most famous of us takes time to stand up for the smallest of us, it makes me proud to be a sportswriter, proud to cover these athletes, these men.
Who could be the biggest, fiercest, most famous hero than the Creator of the universe, Jesus Christ? And who could be more small and defenseless than people like you and me?
DeSean Jackson came and stood up for this young man, and in it we see just a little picture of the Holy Son of God, Jesus Christ, standing up for us as our Advocate.
That's why that little clip on Youtube brings tears to my eyes.
It was historic, as far as sporting events go. The first time in the history of the National Football League that a game ended on a "walk-off" punt return for a touchdown:
In the hours after watching that historic football game, I began to realize that it had given me a cultural parable to explain one of the most perplexing questions in the universe: how could a good, loving, all-powerful God be believed in when the world in which He supposedly rules over is in such chaos and brokenness?
That question is a great barrier to faith for many non-believers. And the next time I encounter that question -- especially if it's a sports fan who poses the question -- I might remind the inquisitor of this football game before getting into the testimony of the Scriptures, which of course are our only sure and reliable witness to all things pertaining to faith. I say that to make absolutely clear that any earthly parable attempting to explain heavenly realities -- including this parable -- has its holes and weaknesses. Nevertheless, here's what I got out of yesterday's improbable Eagles win:
Simply put, there is a "glory" to yesterday's game that would not have been so palpable and awe-inspiring had the Eagles just steamrolled the Giants from the opening kickoff. Had the Eagles won yesterday by a score of 45-3, surely Eagles fans would be thrilled. But that thrill couldn't possibly compare with the thrill of seeing what was a sure defeat (down 31-10 with 8 minutes to play) suddenly, stunningly, transformed into an incredible victory. An Eagles blowout would have been nice, but not nearly as momentous (by sports standards) as what transpired yesterday. This game will be talked about by football fans for decades.
As Philly Sportswriter Phil Sheridan put it, "There is no fourth-quarter ecstasy without three preceding quarters of agony." And it's in that quote that I see a football-illustrated parable of the history of the whole world.
I do not want to minimize or trivialize the indescribable pain experienced by millions in this world by comparing it to a ballgame, but I believe there is a pointer here which might help a skeptic (especially a sports-enjoying skeptic) come to grips with how a corrupted, miserably broken world is still compatible with the sovereign, benevolent, God we discover in the pages of the Bible.
In His infinite power and goodness, God surely could have prevented the fall of this world into sin, and the ensuing chaos, misery, brokenness and suffering that has ensued as a result. He could have maintained a perfect world that was eternally free from any contamination of sin. But in His inscrutable wisdom, He knew there was another way of governing the world which would bring deeper joy to His redeemed: allow the world to fall into terrible corruption, and then triumph over all the forces of evil and corruption by setting the cosmos free from its bondage to corruption so that it might enter into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
This is what Jesus Christ, the God-Man, accomplished in coming into this sinful world, suffering on the cross for the sins of all who believe, and rising from the dead as the firstfruits of a victory which is still to be consummated when He comes again to make all things new. All who place their trust in Jesus will share in awesome triumph, enjoying His glory for all eternity. And that enjoyment will only be deepened by the pain and affliction we've been called to endure in this broken and chaotic world.
In the New Heavens and New Earth, when we celebrate forever the victory of the Lamb of God, who looked hopelessly defeated as He walked up the hill of Calvary, yet triumphed over sin and death and Satan and hell to make His blessings flow throughout the renewed cosmos "far as the curse is found", there will be deeper joy for us, and greater glory to Him, for having endured millennia of pain and heartache and sorrow in this sin-soaked world. He will be more beautiful to us than He would have had the world never fallen into sin and corruption, just as yesterday's game is more beautiful to Philly fans because it had appeared so hopeless during so much of the game.
Ultimately, I think that's why the "miracle in the Meadowlands, Part 2," captures the enthusiasm of sports fans like me. It's just a little preview -- a little foretaste -- of the great, final, cosmic victory of Jesus, our great King and Savior. To Him be glory forever and ever...even through echoes as small and trivial as a football game.
Youtube is amazing. I did a search for Julius Erving buzzer beater looking for a highlight from this game, and found it. I was at this game with my dad, in the very top row of the arena if I'm not mistaken.
As Phillies fans get ready for the big series against Atlanta this week, this video provides a good ballast for enjoying the short-term pleasures of twalk-off home runs without turning our favorite sports team into an idol.
Jason Werth cannot die for my sins. The right hand of Roy Halladay can throw a baseball really well, but it does not offer fullness of joy nor pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Chase Utley did not form the galaxies by the power of his word.
The glory of sports is a pointer to something more. Paul Tripp provides a wonderful reminder of this:
You don't expect to see the guys on Sportscenter praising the excellence of the Presbyterians, but that's what happened. Is it ethical for them to do something this deceitful?
When Tiger Woods finally addressed the media several months ago after all the talk about his adultery, he spoke of how had returned to his Buddhist roots and was finding much help from his faith.
But it seems as though Buddha is making minimal impact on Woods' security and ability to own up to the full weight of his sin. I read in Newsweek yesterday that Woods has reportedly paid his wife $100 million in a divorce settlement, in exchange for her silence.
Evidently Tiger cannot bear the thought of people knowing his heart to the core. That kind of freedom can only be found in the true Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. With Brit Hume, I'm hoping that some day Tiger would find that true freedom in the Savior.
What a cool article from the Wall Street Journal about former NBA player Manute Bol (tall guy on the left, for the sports-challenged), who recently passed away at the age of 47. As a kid I watched Bol swat shots and rain 3's for years; I never would have imagined we'd spend eternity together in glory.
Here's a few quotes from the article:
Bol reportedly gave most of his fortune, estimated at $6 million, to aid Sudanese refugees. As one twitter feed aptly put it: "Most NBA cats go broke on cars, jewelry & groupies. Manute Bol went broke building hospitals."
When his fortune dried up, Bol raised more money for charity by doing what most athletes would find humiliating: He turned himself into a humorous spectacle. Bol was hired, for example, as a horse jockey, hockey player and celebrity boxer. Some Americans simply found amusement in the absurdity of him on a horse or skates. And who could deny the comic potential of Bol boxing William "the Refrigerator" Perry, the 335-pound former defensive linemen of the Chicago Bears?
Bol agreed to be a clown. But he was not willing to be mocked for his own personal gain as so many reality-television stars are. Bol let himself be ridiculed on behalf of suffering strangers in the Sudan; he was a fool for Christ.
Apparently Nebraska is joining the Big Ten, which causes a real dilemma: what's going to happen to the coolest logo in college athletics (notice the hiding 11 in the T)?
Yesterday I expressed wonder that government officials feel compelled to intervene in a botched call during a baseball game.
But I didn't address the rich pointers to the gospel that this story has provided. Gospel themes of human imperfection, justice, contrition and mercy are on display in this interesting story. This post from Erik Raymond does a nice, concise job of helping us think Christ-exalting thoughts about this baseball story.
I trust that especially the sports fan who frequent this blog will enjoy Raymond's post.
Regarding the blown call in last night's Tigers-Indians game that took away a perfect game from Tigers' pitcher Armando Galarraga:
Michigan lawmakers got into the act on Thursday, lobbying Selig to reverse the call and recognizing Galarraga as having thrown a perfect game. Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued a proclamation declaring that Galarraga had indeed pitched a perfect game, while U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell said he'd introduce a congressional resolution asking Major League Baseball to overturn the blown call.
Flyers fans are surely thrilled after last night's finish. Since I haven't followed this team over the past few years, it's hard for me to get as excited about them as I was about the Phillies in 2008. Nevertheless, it really was a thrilling end to the game; I even stayed up late to watch it, so you know it must have been exciting.
But as I watched the roar of the crowd and their exuberance in the thrill of victory, I couldn't help but feel a deep longing for the day when that kind of roar and joyful celebration is aimed at the Son of God, who was slain for the sins of the world. If people can get this excited about athletes they have never met and over a game that really makes no impact on our lives, what will the response be when we see our Savior celebrated throughout the entire cosmos?
It's a shame I'm not more of a hockey fan, because Philly's team is certainly on an exciting run this spring. Ten years ago I would have said that hockey/the Flyers were my favorite sport/team. But after the lockout a few years ago, I've pretty much lost interest.
Though the Flyers are playing great, I'm still not that excited (though I probably would force myself to watch a little if they make the Finals!). Nevertheless, I have great respect for hockey players. I think it requires more skill (have you ever tried to ice skate?) and more toughness than the other three major sports, and they typically get paid a lot less than the other major sports.
If you're in the Philly area, are you more excited about hockey than you were a month ago?
In response to yesterday's post on whether God delights in the art of non-Christians, Rob wrote:
I think I see where you (and Reinke) are coming from, but I still am on the fence here a bit. Can we use the word "please?" There are things that are done in the world by non-Christians that "reflect" something about God Himself, but do they actually "please" Him?
How do you explain it in light of Hebrews 11:6?"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
It is a great question. I told Rob I'd answer his question today, but I'm going to have to delay that answer one more day. For now, let me muddy the issue even more with a similar situation from the sports world.
I have writtenbefore of my thoughts on basketball superstar LeBron James. Last night, in his team's biggest game of the year, James played a dud of a game. Here's a snippet from his post-game remarks:
"I spoil a lot of people with my play. When you have a bad game here or there, you've had three bad games in a seven-year career, then it's easy to point that out."
This appears to be the same lack of humility that I have observed in the past (see the two links above). While I want to make clear that I am painfully aware that I am a proud man who has a long way to go in the pursuit of humility, I can't imagine God is very pleased with comments like this from LeBron. I have a hard time rooting for LeBron because of this evident lack of humility. You know it's bad when you actually find yourself rooting for the Celtics!
Nevertheless, though I am not fond of LeBron, I still take a measure of delight in watching some of his extraordinary moves on the basketball court. I don't take pleasure in the man's character, but his skill on the court brings delight to the basketball fan in me.
As I think of my attitude toward LeBron James, or Dave Matthews for that matter, I can't help but come to the conclusion that though the sin of these men causes me grief, I still take pleasure in some of the things they produce.
If I can do that with an athlete or a musician, is it possible that God can (and does) do the same?
Just some more questions to consider. I'll try to answer Rob's question more directly tomorrow. Thanks for bearing with me, Rob!
Regular readers of this blog know that I thoroughly enjoy sports. So it surprised me that in the 14 months I've been keeping this blog I haven't mentioned Stephen Altrogge's book Game Day for the Glory of God.
I won a free copy of this book from Stephen nearly two years ago in a contest he did at his blog determining the ten greatest moments in sports history. Here's a description from the publisher:
Scripture calls Christians to do everything for the glory of God. That means every thought, every word, and every deed are to be done in a way that brings pleasure and honor to him. Believe it or not, this includes playing, watching, and talking sports! But most of us fail to recognize how sports fit into the big picture of a God-glorifying life, unable to imagine that the God who created the universe might actually care about Little League games and Monday Night Football.
So how do we play, watch, and talk sports for God's glory? Game Day for the Glory of God seeks to answer that question from a biblical perspective. Sports fan Stephen Altrogge aims to help readers enjoy sports as a gift from God and to see sports as a means of growing in godliness.
I think the book is ideal for junior high and high school athletes, but it is also an excellent book for fathers to take their younger children through, to help them get a grasp on how to engage in sports (either viewing or playing) in a God-exalting manner.
It must really be the year of the Christian athlete...Tim Tebow, Linsanity, and now Bubba Watson wins the Masters' Golf Tournament. Check out this article on his faith.
