Message boards outside of a church building or place of business can be quite interesting or very dull. It has grown exceedingly tiresome to drive by a Dairy Queen, for example, on a day when it is 105 degrees in the shade, eagerly looking for an announcement about a sale on some cool treat, only to see the monotous and ever-present words, “NOW HIRING” (one can only wonder why they always need help). Would it be too much trouble to give customers a twenty cent break on their favorite soothing refreshment?
Churches have often been recognized for their brief, pointed sayings. One of the best ones in past years was the one that asked the question, “If you’re not as close to God as you once were, guess who moved?” And appropriate for Texas is the one that resurfaces periodically: “So, you think this is hot?”
But in a small town just a few miles outside of Denton, there was quite a contrast in messages just a few weeks ago. One church sign read: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Another one (a short distance away) said: “Deion Sanders makes a play then thanks and praises God.” The Scripture quotation was in front of a Baptist Church building; the other one was on one of “ours.”
In all fairness, the one with the name Church of Christ upon it does sometimes fare a little better. But sometimes they are worse, too, such as the time they sported this one: “Easter Is Not Colored Eggs; Easter Is Jesus Christ.” A letter of protest to these brethren served only to amuse the elders, who laughed off the criticism.
They had no appreciation or concern for the embarrassment that such words cause to members of the church who are trying to be New Testament Christians rather than like the denominations. They cared nothing about their erroneous promotion of an unauthorized, pagan-inspired “holiday.” One can only imagine the twisted “logic” that would lead to such a statement.
So the “Deion Sanders” quip was hardly a surprise–but what is wrong with it? Probably the intention was good on the part of whoever came up with this idea, but that individual obviously did not think it through very carefully. First of all, it presumes that God cares as much about football as we do. Second, it assumes that the Cowboys are not only America’s team, but Heaven’s team as well. Hmm. If God were a football fan, what team would He root for? After all, sporting events are not a matter of right versus wrong, good triumphing over evil, or holiness fighting against corruption.
And since He is omniscient, He cannot sit back for three hours, watching intently, wondering who will win. When Jacksonville played at Buffalo two weeks ago, the game was a genuine nail-biter. Down 16-10, Buffalo (led by recent CFL quarterback, Doug Flutie) marches slowly down the field on their last drive of the game. With 39 seconds left, Flutie throws a pass; the receiver catches it, eludes one tackle, stumbles, and stretches his arm out so that the football falls into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN, signals the referree. Fans are celebrating. But wait. Another referee overrules him, and the ball is placed on the 1 yard line. Three downs later the ball has not been advanced. How will the game end?
Only one down remains (and a few seconds) to get that last yard. The entire game hinges on this play. If Buffalo gets the yard and scores, they will win; if this fourth attempt fails, they lose. The play begins; it looks like a handoff to the running back straight up the middle. No. Flutie kept the ball: he rolls out to the left and dances into the end zone. The extra point is good; Buffalo wins. “What a finish!” we mortals shout. But in heaven God could have declared accurately what would happen before the game began. So how can He take sides between teams or be enthusiastic about any game? Such do not usually have eternal consequences, and souls seldom hang in the balance.
Third, therefore, although Sanders may be showing some humility in thanking and praising God, what are we to think if his opponent then makes a brilliant play for the opposing team and praises God for his ability? Is God playing for both sides, or what? Some basketball players have been known to “cross themselves” before shooting free throws. Which Catholic players on which teams should God listen to?
In the movie, Texas Across the River, the hero needs money; so he enters a shooting contest. Falling a little shy of the entry fee, he asks the owner to deduct the fee from his winnings. The owner stops him from shooting, however, by pointing out that if he fails to win, he will lose the cost of the entry fee. The hero stiffens and proudly says, “I am a Balthasar,” meaning that because of his Spanish heritage, he will not miss. But the owner responds with, “I’m a Baptist myself, but it ain’t never improved my aim none.”
Likewise, athletes may pray, cross themselves, or offer thanks after a great play, but such does not imply God’s involvement or approval. One young man assured this writer that he went to “mass” every day for a week before a big high school football game, and his team won! It probably did not occur to him that if that formula was valid, they should have won the state tournament. [Of course, it is never wrong to thank God for our abilities or use them in His service (although football is questionable “service”).]
Fourth, the worst flaw with the Deion Sanders message, however, lies in the misconception that somehow Deion is getting his strength from God, and this relationship is causing the Cowboys to win. So what happened when they played the Chicago Bears two weeks ago? But further, let’s suppose the Cowboys play Miami. Deion makes a play and praises God. Then Karim Abdul-Jabbar makes a play and praises Allah. Can we expect to see a sign outside a Muslim temple that says: “Karim makes a play then thanks and praises Allah”? Now what are people supposed to think? Will football games become contests between Jehovah and Allah: between Christ and Muhammed? We surely don’t want questions of religion decided by professional athletes. Let’s stick with Bible verses on message boards.
The question has been asked, “Why don’t people care?” This writer’s humble opinion is that the relative silence has occurred because a great number of citizens are selfish. Let’s say that Dick lies to Jane about his working late. Somehow she learns that he has been seeing another woman who has an apartment near his office building. Does she say, “Oh, well, I have plenty of food, clothing, and videotapes to watch”? Hah!
Her pride is hurt that he would commit adultery and lie to her. She probably will not say, “Well, nobody’s perfect; I forgive you.” More likely, she will file for divorce. She will be outraged, not silent. Why? It’s a personal matter; it happened to her! If it happened to her neighbor, she might just yawn and think, “It was her own fault.”
If a man’s business partner lies to him or embezzles money from the firm, he will take such shabby treatment personally. He will not just quietly forget about it. Parents do not remain silent if their children lie to them: they will ask them, “How do you expect us to trust you in the future based on this kind of behavior?”
But when the President does so, people just shrug their shoulders because they do not think it affects them personally. Only extreme selfishness can produce silence rather than outrage. But those who reason in such false fashion will discover that the President’s immoral and unethical conduct will affect them–eventually. Many will be influenced by what was done–and the lack of righteous indignation expressed by citizens. They will only be shocked when someone lies to them and then wonders why they are upset. When an individual in the public trust violates his position, every citizen, male or female, young or old, rich or poor, should take it PERSONALLY!!
By the way, this “outraged by silence” message was not outside a church building; it was displayed by a printing company. Most denominational churches have forgotten how to stand for decency and honor; they are too busy fellowshipping abortionists and homosexuals. Many leaders of those groups are too busy attending prayer breakfasts in Washington and trying to forgive a man who has not repented of anything–a man who uses them like he does everyone else. Lead on, printing establishment; the churches have lost their soul.