Bob Jones University and the Bruins Foundation are hosting “An Evening with Tim Tebow”

I started a thread on this under the header “Celebrity Culture?” You might want to close that so comments stay in one place.

I am extremely disappointed by this, though, alas, not surprised.

Have to say my heart sank a bit when I saw this. BJU has always brought in non-fundamentalists for secular-type things, such as Artist Series or political convocations. But this is Christian koinonia in my book and a departure from what they normally have done. Not fond of charging for something like this, either.

There are probably lots more differences that that.

and I could care less about his athletic accomplishments

This does seem like a strange move. What’s the point?

[josh p]

This does seem like a strange move. What’s the point?

This is another indication that BJU is actively trying to appeal to a bigger pool (i.e. broader Evangelicalism) of Christian-college applicants.

….is it any stranger than having Cantus on campus? (most of the singers are homosexual and refer to their husbands in their bios)

Really, with the closing of Pillsbury, NIU, and a bunch of other schools, and the halving of their enrollment even with the closure of rival schools, they’ve got to do something. You can hope that fundamentalism revives, or reach out to broader evangelicalism, or prepare to contract or close.

First, although a graduate, I don’t defend BJU by default. Second, I haven’t researched Tim Tebow’s Christian testimony, doctrinal positions or his associations within Evangelicalism, though I assume his associations are pretty broad. Third, I am not necessarily agreeing with this decision by BJU. I think those are all my disclaimers.

As I’ve (hopefully) matured in life, Christian walk, and ministry, I have developed an appreciation for genuine Christians with a broad influence who might not align with my positions on everything. When quoting them or using something from their lives as an illustration, I often say, “I don’t necessarily agree with everything this person says or does, but here’s something we can learn from.” I’ve mostly appreciated them from afar, but at times have attended an event where they are being featured. I’ve heard some of them in educational settings.

Some so-called celebrity Christians seem to enjoy riding the wave of popularity created by their fame. Other individuals who become prominent in the world maintain a solid Christian testimony and it is evident that they follow Christ first and their profession, sport, business or other achievement is secondary. Their success gives them a platform from which to live and speak Gospel truth. Whether this is the case or not with Tebow, I don’t know.
Two examples of “famous” Christians I’ve respected and who I’ve observed practicing this are Christopher Parkening and Joni Eareckson Tada. Parkening is a world-renowned guitarist. Joni is a widely-known paraplegic. Both operate in wider circles than I normally associate. But I would gladly attend a function in which either one shared his/her experience and testimony. BJU has had Parkening repeatedly for Artist Series programs (as is FBBC this Spring). I would be delighted if BJ hosted Joni. These are educational experiences with spiritual benefits as well.

My perspective is that exposing ourselves (or our students, as in the case of BJ) to genuine believers who are successful in the secular world and/or have broader associations than our own can be beneficial without being detrimental. Again, I haven’t evaluated how Tebow fits in this. But I think evaluation and thoughtful conclusion is a good idea.

My understanding, based on impressions from others I know and trust, is that sports is already overemphasized at a certain Greenville campus. (Recent promo mailings appear to confirm this.) I can’t see how this event—and the accompanying affirmation about being a Christian celebrity—helps in any capacity to debunk that impression or steer students’ minds toward more heavenly pursuits. The “Christian koinonia” aspect (already mentioned) shouldn’t be overlooked. Then there are other issues, such as the fact that Tim had no problem appearing shirtless for GQ (not an especially sanctified publication, by the way).

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/tim-tebows-sexy-jesus-pose-gq…

http://www.eonline.com/news/337739/tim-tebow-celebrates-25th-birthday-b…

Can you count the many issues here? I wouldn’t personally elevate him as an example for my kids. Nope. I’m a BJU alumnus, but you won’t hear any cheers from my corner.

1 John 5.21

The examples Dean gave, Christopher Parkening and Joni Eareckson Tada, aren’t mere celebrities. They have spent their lives in pursuits that glorify God. As far as I can tell, Tim Tebow is about Tim Tebow. He uses his Christian testimony to promote his own notoriety. Some have justified his testimony (in another venue) by his “charity work,” helping handicapped kids have a “night at the prom”. Wow. There’s a crying need.

Well, don’t know if this will help or hurt BJU. But I see no problem with them having Tim Tebow there.

I’m sure I could find a thing or two about Tebow to disagree with, but I’ve gotten the impression he is a committed Christian. A Christian athlete’s testimony can speak to a lot of people.

David R. Brumbelow

PS – Tim, I like you, but keep your shirt on; especially at BJU.

[Bert Perry]

….is it any stranger than having Cantus on campus? (most of the singers are homosexual and refer to their husbands in their bios)

Really, with the closing of Pillsbury, NIU, and a bunch of other schools, and the halving of their enrollment even with the closure of rival schools, they’ve got to do something. You can hope that fundamentalism revives, or reach out to broader evangelicalism, or prepare to contract or close.

Are they a professing Christian group? I really don’t know. I don’t know if Tebow has a legitimate testimony or not. If I had kids going there I would be wondering why they would be using celebrity in that way.

BJU has had a number of famous Christian sports figures, politicians, etc. to give their testimony over the many years. Just two years ago it was Bobby Bowden, last year it was Bobby Richardson. When I attended, in the 80’s, it was a string of politicians, not just giving stump speeches, but giving their testimony.

Nothing new. Just more fodder for those who are already upset about the changes at the University. Speaking of suggestive:

[Don Johnson]

1 John 5.21

The examples Dean gave, Christopher Parkening and Joni Eareckson Tada, aren’t mere celebrities. They have spent their lives in pursuits that glorify God. As far as I can tell, Tim Tebow is about Tim Tebow. He uses his Christian testimony to promote his own notoriety. Some have justified his testimony (in another venue) by his “charity work,” helping handicapped kids have a “night at the prom”. Wow. There’s a crying need.

Let’s be serious here. Tebow has spent summers as a missionary in the Philippines, appeared in a pro-life ad sponsored by Focus on the Family (to the mockery of pro-abortion advocates), thanked God in public to great mockery, supports 40 evangelists in the Philippines, raises money for hospitals in the Philippines and the U.S., and more. This is a man who is all about himself? While he certainly isn’t immune from mistakes(GQ article, playing for the Mets), this kind of statement is excessive, and quite frankly illustrates why a lot of people with fundamental theology are heading for the exits of fundamental churches. They’ve had it with the circular firing squad.

For reference about his theology, he does have fellowship with FCA, which is one of the broader evangelical groups out there. So if you’re all about secondary separation, I guess you would want to separate from them. But other than that, I’ve not heard any place where Tebow would differ with the five fundamentals, the Solas, or anything else that would place him outside of Christian orthodoxy. He’s even a Baptist. And no, I don’t have a Tebow jersey on, or even in my closet. I just think that he’s done a lot for the kingdom in his first 30 years, and we do ourselves no favors with half informed insults of the man.

Josh, they’re definitely not part of the “conservative fundamental music industry” or even CCM, but when they went to BJU, they were presenting a program of religious music. I actually saw them sing in MN. I just think it’s odd to have uproar about Tebow, but not Cantus.

On the light side, if it’s OK to have unbelieving musicians there, the concert schedule could get interesting….