Follow up to Tebow's Super Bowl ad
Okay, so I don't get it. What was the big fuss about Tebow's commercial? Political correctness is absolutely out of control if people thought that commercial was out of bounds. Truth be known, most of the folks who were wringing their hands about a pro-life commercial were relieved to see the soft message of Focus on the Family's 30-second spot. It had prime placement just after the start of the game. Here is one of many places you can see the clip:
There is a new "controversy" surrounding this commercial. Get this: Some are saying this ad promotes violence toward women.
Okay. I'm no big supporter of groups like Focus on the Family. In James Dobson's last years there, the group became way too politicized for my liking -- telling people which candidates to vote for and the like. It all sounded way too moralistic and big-brotherish for me. But I love this commercial. It's an understated approach that Christians should be proud of. It tells a story without slamming anyone. It gives a hint of something healthy without trying to bash people who disagree. Shoot, it doesn't even mention abortion!
But it seems as if some people are so intent on criticizing this. Why? Because our society wants to relegate Christianity to the private sector. As long as you just promote a personal faith in Jesus, no one will mess with you. But as soon as you suggest that Jesus has something to say to our society, then alarm bells go off in the minds of those who have decided that public debate will exist without religion. It's a joke, right? Hardly.
It is a sad truth of our society. Public discourse is so warped, that Christianity has no seat at the table. Part of this is our fault. For too long, we dominated discourse. It wasn't even a discourse. It was a monologue where Christians dictated their will upon others. The answer to this, in the minds of many smart people, is to completely sideline faith from any discussion about public society.
But I and other Christians can't and won't be silent about what God might want society to look like. We won't impose our will on others. The days of Charlemagne are over -- thankfully. But it isn't time for us Christians to crawl into our holes and be silent either. May God give us courage to speak & listen as we seek to be God's partners for bringing His Kingdom rule into existence on earth as it is in heaven.
There is a new "controversy" surrounding this commercial. Get this: Some are saying this ad promotes violence toward women.
Okay. I'm no big supporter of groups like Focus on the Family. In James Dobson's last years there, the group became way too politicized for my liking -- telling people which candidates to vote for and the like. It all sounded way too moralistic and big-brotherish for me. But I love this commercial. It's an understated approach that Christians should be proud of. It tells a story without slamming anyone. It gives a hint of something healthy without trying to bash people who disagree. Shoot, it doesn't even mention abortion!
But it seems as if some people are so intent on criticizing this. Why? Because our society wants to relegate Christianity to the private sector. As long as you just promote a personal faith in Jesus, no one will mess with you. But as soon as you suggest that Jesus has something to say to our society, then alarm bells go off in the minds of those who have decided that public debate will exist without religion. It's a joke, right? Hardly.
It is a sad truth of our society. Public discourse is so warped, that Christianity has no seat at the table. Part of this is our fault. For too long, we dominated discourse. It wasn't even a discourse. It was a monologue where Christians dictated their will upon others. The answer to this, in the minds of many smart people, is to completely sideline faith from any discussion about public society.
But I and other Christians can't and won't be silent about what God might want society to look like. We won't impose our will on others. The days of Charlemagne are over -- thankfully. But it isn't time for us Christians to crawl into our holes and be silent either. May God give us courage to speak & listen as we seek to be God's partners for bringing His Kingdom rule into existence on earth as it is in heaven.
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