Saturday, December 05, 2009
Reading Tebow: College football and biblical verse
Tim Tebow, Florida's star quarterback, has written "John" on his right cheekbone and "16:33" on his left. In the King James version (the only edition of the Bible permitted at my father's funeral), John 16:33 says this:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I admit, I do not do well with poetry, lyrics, or scripture, but I presume that "I have overcome the world" refers to Florida's unbeaten record and #1 ranking. Is this the Biblical talking of trash? Any more diligent Christians out there want to offer a competing theory?
Note that last year Tebow sported John 3:16, which is generically Christian and a lot more modest:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Going unbeaten changes a man, but he's behind at halftime. The Gators could use a little "touchdown Jesus" this evening.
7 Comments:
By 
, at
Sat Dec 05, 06:07:00 PM:
I believe you've transposed the cheekbones, TH. Or perhaps that is the meaning of "turn the other cheek."
By 
TigerHawk, at
Sat Dec 05, 06:31:00 PM:
Good point. I've always been much too subjective. I'll fix it immediately!
By , at
Sat Dec 05, 06:40:00 PM:
Sally says she thought that was called a little Hail Mary.
By Mark Tempest, at
Sat Dec 05, 07:07:00 PM:
Me? I want linebacker who has "Stop You" under his eyes . . . and in his heart.
By , at
Sat Dec 05, 07:12:00 PM:
By Assistant Village Idiot, at
Sat Dec 05, 08:33:00 PM:
I think it's unlikely Tebow intends that meaning. We evangelicals tend to lean pretty heavily on the "this world is difficult, but temporary" angle of things.
wv: emoses. That must mean something.
By , at
Mon Dec 07, 02:42:00 PM:
I agree with AVI.
The concept is that Christ's victory over the world enables Christians to endure worldly tribulation from a different, and eternally grounded, perspective (particularly in light of the union of the believer with Christ). If anything, this is the scripture choice of a man who anticipated getting thumped by the Tide.
--ScurvyOaks
