As many of you know, I am a big sports fan (especially football). So, I thought I would start with my take on the big game! I will be rooting for the New Orleans Saints but if I was a betting man (note to the deacons: I'm not!)I would have to go with the Indianapolis Colts. I think their experience of playing in a Super Bowl just a few years ago (and winning) along with Peyton Manning being half human (neck down) and half computer (brain) will be too much for Drew Brees and the Saints.
But that was not the point of my blog.
The other big deal with Super Bowl Sunday is the commercials. This year one of the commercials has become a big deal, and it hasn't even hit the screen yet. By now I'm sure that you have heard about the Pro-Life Tim Tebow ad. If you are not familiar with Tim Tebow (if you have been living under a rock these past 5 years), he is the Heisman trophy and National Championship winning quarterback for the Florida Gators whose collegiate career finally came to and end after what seemed to be a decade instead of four years. Tim Tebow is outspoken about his faith in Christ whether through interviews or his popular Scripture eye black (God grease). This is the black under the eyes that is used to resist the sun, but not the Son! I think pastors should start wearing this on Sundays when they preach! Anyway, Tebow was born into a missionary family, and at the time of his conception, his parents were missionaries in the Philippines. So the story behind the "ad" is when his parents found out they were expecting, the doctors advised his mother, Pam, to abort due to her age and possible complications. And of course, she made the right choice not to abort but to give birth to Tim.
Now to the debates! Obviously, there is an uproar from those who are on the "pro-choice" side. One of the reasons for the uproar is because of the logic and half-truth given in the "ad". While the commercial tells their story, the opposition is saying that it fails to mention that abortion was illegal in the Phillippines in 1987. Therefore, this choice to not abort was really not a choice at all. Pam Tebow would have faced a sentence of 6 years in prison for an illegal abortion. So, in this sense, I can see their argument that the "ad" can be misleading. Although, I think their argument should bring up two bigger issues. One, why is it illegal in the Phillippines to have an abortion and not here in America? Second, if it truly was and is illegal, then why would doctors still have given this advice? It reminds us that while we should "warn" about the issue of abortion and "inform" the uninformed, we must remember that we cannot legislate morality. Only God can truly change hearts and minds on these issues and truly turn lives from living for themselves to living for God and His Glory.
So, a few "not-so-quick" comments:
1. I am absolutely "pro-life" and am completely against any abortion under any circumstance. I know this is hard, but I cannot change what God's Word says about life in the womb. I preached on this last Sunday and hope to become a better influence on our community in this important issue.
2. I truly believe that the alternative to the issue of abortion is adoption. For all the hard cases of rape or teenage pregnancy often the best solution would be adoption. The most difficult cases are when the mother's life is in danger, but we are not the first generation that had mothers lose their life or have their life reduced as a result of childbirth. In fact, my grandmother gave birth to my mom late in life which had a significant effect on her health. I can't imagine my grandmother wishing to have kept her life and aborted my mom. Why is it that parents consider losing a child the worst experience they could ever imagine even over their own death?
3. While I am "pro-life" and appreciate any efforts to "warn" and "inform"...it doesn't mean that I have to like everything that is so-called "Christian". I too have my issues with this commercial put on by Focus on the Family. I am thankful for anyone who promotes the "pro-life" agenda, but we must remember that not everyone who is "pro-life" is necessarily Christian or motivated with the proper motive of glorifying God and making His glory known. I would like to see this shared in what they promote instead of language like "celebrating family", "celebrating life", "families need to be inspired", and "helping families thrive". All of those expressions may sound good, but there is nothing in them that is distinctly "Christian" or "Christ-focused". While I am a "family advocate", family is not to be our primary focus. What is the chief end of man? "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever".
4. While this ad is intended to promote the "pro-life" agenda, I would dare say that it reveals that our thinking isn't really much different than those who say some lives are more valuable than others. Why did Focus on the Family choose the story of Tim Tebow? The idea that it would have been such a "tragedy" if they would have aborted Tim is true...but not because of how popular or successful he is...but because of how wrong and sinful abortion is.
5. Finally, staying with the same line of thought..unfortunately, among Christianity we have often bought into the lie that the messenger is more important than the message. In Christianity, we would do well to remember that God's message does not depend on who it is that is giving the message. Why do we always think that if we can win over the quarterback of the team, then we can win the whole team over? It's as if we believe that if we have Tim Tebow on our side, then the world must stand up and take notice. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Tim Tebow and I appreciate what he stands for and believes. My problem is not with him, it's with a Christianity that thinks that when we get the really cool people on our side our message and influence will be greater. I think this comes from a Christian culture that is always trying to fit in. We want so badly to tell the world that we are relevant. Somehow we think that our relevance is more clearly seen by the athletes, actors, and politicians that agree with us. Maybe I am reacting too much to this "ad", but there is no question that there is far too much of this kind of thinking among our evangelical churches and ministries. Why would Focus on the Family run an "ad" using Tim Tebow when there are so many other better choices? Is Tebow really the best advocate for someone who "almost was aborted"? I like how one "pro-life" advocate puts it when he says that 'truly, we all were potential abortions when we were in our mother's womb because the law does not protect the unborn child'. Any of us who have been born since the Roe vs Wade ruling in 1973 truly were potential abortions and we ought to thank our parents for not making or considering that choice!
If you and I are truly passionate about the issue of abortion and Focus on the Family really wants to have an impact by talking about someone who was almost aborted, why not make a commercial with one of these individuals who were truly "almost aborted".
I hope that you will take the time to read some of these!
