Posted on 02/03/2013 7:29:33 AM PST by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
The decidedly secularist Sports Illustrated – evidenced by the busty swimsuit models it teasingly features on the home page of its web site (alongside the latest sports news, which is what “SI” is supposed to be about) – thought the occasion of the Super Bowl would be the perfect time to weigh in on the subject of Christianity and football.
The cover of its February 4 issue, still available on newsstands, has a picture of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, under the headline: “Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?”
In the cover shot, Lewis is up to his shoulders in water, hands folded as in prayer. It seems obvious the image is meant to suggest the baptism of Christ; as if Lewis, who was at least indirectly involved in the murders of two people the last time his NFL team made the Super Bowl, is some sort of Messianic figure.
SI’s cover story asserts, “The sport with the biggest Christian presence, most famous Christian athletes and most religious leaders affiliated with teams features a culture that seemingly goes against the values of Christianity.”
So whom did SI assign to write about “the values of Christianity” as they relate to “big-time football?” Mark Oppenheimer – yes, he’s Jewish – religion columnist for The New York Times.
Is it any wonder that a writer who disbelieves the divinity of Christ, who thinks he knows better than the 80 percent of us who identify ourselves as Christ followers, would sneer at footballers who publicly profess their Christ followers?
In his cover story, Oppenheimer mocks what he says has become customary for many NFL players: They point to heaven, pray on their knees and thank Jesus in post-game interviews.
The SI writer’s sarcastic prediction for today’s Super Bowl: Ray Lewis will wear his customary black T-shirt under his uniform that says PSALMS 91 and 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, if successful on a big play, will kiss either his tattoo of the words GOD TO GLORY or the one that reads FAITH.
Well, as a Christ follower who is also a football fan, I see absolutely nothing wrong with NFL players honoring God, giving glory to their Lord and Savior.
In fact, I root for those who are not ashamed to publicly profess their Christian faith – be it Lewis or Kaepernick, one of which will win the Super Bowl, or such past Super Bowl MVPs as Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Kurt Warner.
As to whether God cares whether the Ravens or 49ers win today’s Super Bowl, I think not.
But I do believe He delights in athletes who make full use of the talent with which He has blessed them; who pursue their craft as unto the Lord and not to men; who glorify Him when they achieve success; and who evince His peace, which surpasses all understanding, even when they fall short of victory.
Yes he does, Dalla Cowboy’s but we may have to wait untill the second coming.
Sorry typing with one hand and fending off a deranged Jack Russel with the other.
You’re forgiven, friend. The Cowboys will be in the thick of things next season, along with my hometown Redskins.
I refuse to play along.
I just have a feeling that God will favor the losers in this situation...
ha ha ha...
God will be watching The Puppy Bowl.
NWO folks. Thw whole idea here is to ruin football because it is basically an American sport. Not enough of the world watches football. Americans have to learn to hate football. What is the best way? Regulate it to a wussy sport and promote soccer, the game most of the world watches.
Nothing that happens anymore is happenstance. It is purposeful manipulation.
They did try to export football as a big sport, but it didn’t work. So now, football has to be destroyed.
Looks like we are heading to the point of laying back and taking it. Very sad.
He will be on the side of all those players who are injured for life. The one’s who make the mistakes while millions watch in disbelief.
Matthew 9:12
But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Speaking of which, have you heard about all the goings on with Jerry Jones changing the Cowboy’s mascot? I guess he wants to re-sell everyone t-shirts.
The proposal is going to be an armadillo. When they have home games, they will simply roll up and play dead. When they are on the road, they will get killed. Of course, they will be changing their colors. They will now be black and blue.
Jesus will be on the side of every champion. Every individual who against all odds rose to the top of their game.
On a day when everyone doubted their abilities. They looked the devil in the face and proclaimed.
“The Lord rebuke thee!”
As a matter of fact, I have a feeling that Jesus is rooting for every single man on the field and woman on the sidelines.
Last time I checked - he was not willing that any should perish...
ha ha ha...
Ray Lewis with his hands folded in prayer? That’s a laugh.Too bad his hands weren’t similarly positioned on the night he participated in the murder of two people.
BLASPHEMY!! Two Hail Mary’s and four Our Father’s for you, nascarnation! LOL!
I forgot to mention that He is probably favoring every fan in the stands who are watching the men on the field and the women on the sidelines...
ha ha ha
I think God put Tom Landry in charge of football matters.
While Tom Landry’s Cowboys are known for their two Super Bowls against Chuck Noll and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Landry also led Dallas to three other Super Bowls, and were a Bart Starr quarterback sneak away from representing the NFL in the second Super Bowl. Tom Landry was 2-3 in Super Bowls, winning both in New Orleans and losing all three at Miami’s Orange Bowl Stadium.
Landry coached the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win, defeating the Miami Dolphins 24-3, holding the Dolphins to a mere field goal. The Cowboys won their first Super Bowl a year after losing a heartbreaker to the Baltimore Colts. The Cowboys lost the first battle with the Steelers, in a game that is heralded as a classic. The rematch would be just as good, with the Cowboys being a Jackie Smith catch away from beating the Steelers in the rematch. Super Bowl XIII, the rematch, featured Cowboys Linebacker Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson saying famously “Terry Bradshaw couldn’t spell c-a-t if you spotted him the C and the T.” Landry recalled in his autobiography how he cringed when he heard that, because he didn’t feel that Bradshaw needed additional motivation in a big game like the Super Bowl.
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