A sports columnist for a Fort Myers newspaper recently criticized Tim Tebow, in particular, and all evangelical athletes, in general, for their efforts to glorify God and give testimony about God in the sports realm. He wrote that he doesn’t care if he ever again hears another athlete publicly thank God!
I have never met Tim Tebow, but I have been particularly impressed with his public testimony on behalf of his faith — a faith which I obviously share. I have never known Tim to pray for a victory, or to give God credit for giving the Gators a victory. He does give God credit for enabling him to perform and blessing his team as they give their best effort. Many athletes do that, and I applaud them for making that effort.
All of us should strive to give testimony and bring glory to God in whatever venue God places us. And I have no problem with people of other faiths doing the same thing. I believe the Gospel will hold its own under scrutiny, along side any other faith.
For years, the Muslim faith has found an outward expression through sports in America. Many of us remember when the boxer, Cassius Clay, changed his name to Muhammad Ali, and we remember when the basketball star, Lew Alcindor, changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I do not recall much outcry against their right to do so. Nor is there any reason to fret over evangelical Christians expressing themselves in the world in which they live.
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