The Real Tebow Miracle

Well, Tebowing is officially a cult phenomenon as Saturday Night Live felt it worthy of a skit. Of course SNHell was true to form as they have come to mock anything and everything, including Christianity. There was one thing SNL got right, though I doubt it was on purpose. The fact is God does care about who wins football games.

Jesus taught that God superintends even the death of a sparrow (see Matt. 10:29). The Lord God, by means of General Providence, oversees and brings to pass all happenings in creation, whether the demise of leaders or the fruitfulness of one’s scalp. (see Prov. 21:1; Matt. 10:30).

"The lot is cast into the lap," we read in Proverbs 16:33, "but its every decision is from the Lord." God is utterly and completely sovereign over all. Nonetheless, God’s work of providence does not require His direct, miraculous involvement.

This kind of technical theological language can be difficult, but the bottom line is that sometimes God intervenes in a miraculous way, like parting the Red Sea. Other times God is simply sovereign, not letting anything transpire apart from His oversight.

Paul reminds us of this truth in Romans 8:28, "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Notice that Paul says all things, not just certain things, and certainly not just small things.

Yet, make no mistake, it is not ultimately about Tim Tebow. For God gains glory through the work of a faithful schoolteacher, a giving mother, and any athlete who works hard in Christ’s name while seeking to be a light in a dark world. First Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

As with every other believer, God's hand is leading Tebow's life, blessing him as he applies Christian character and biblical principles to the task before him. I doubt God has performed any bona-fide football miracles, but is the true miracle not more obvious?

Tebow is enjoying great wealth and fame in a world profoundly influenced by Forbes’ lists, and fame-aholics. And yet, all he wants to do magnify the Lord and exalt His great name.

Psalm 34:3, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

Tebow, or not Tebow?

I haven’t cared a whole lot about sports since the Chicago Bulls ended their dynasty, but my interests have recently rekindled. Tim Tebow has won seven out of eight starts as the Bronco’s starting QB. He never gives up, puts his team ahead of himself, inspires them to play better, and realizes incomplete passes are better than interceptions. Oh, and did I mention he is a bona fide, born again, pew jumping, Bible thumping, fired up follower of the risen Christ?

The secular media, bless its poor misguided heart, just doesn’t know what to do with terrific Tim. While many so-called sports analysts have either downplayed the conservative quarterback’s success, or worked hard to be offended by it, they both have been ever so careful not to credit Heaven.

The wide world of pagans would rather bed down with mockery and dark sarcasm than entertain the thought that Tebow’s God shares any responsibility for fourth quarter resurrections. Yet, I submit to you that they haven’t quite pulled it off.

Cal-Berkeley Professor Dacher Keltner says, “What this new science of altruism and cooperation is finding is that, highly cooperative, other oriented, compassionate and empathetic individuals, their teams perform better, their organizations are healthier.”

Holy methodological naturalism, Batman. They just credited Tebow’s leadership skills to God-inspired biblical principles (see Psalm 1:1-3 and James 3:16-17). It appears even the most sensible and honest pagan evaluation of Tebow’s success gives glory to God. And I couldn’t be more tickled.

“I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another.” Isaiah 42:8