A Christian Approach To Playing Super Bowl XLIV

Super Bowl XLIV, to be played Sunday February 7, 2010 in Miami between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts, is expected to shatter the record for number of viewers.

Worldwide around 1 billion.

With so many eyeballs – what a wonderful opportunity to honor Jesus!  And, bring His message of Love to the world!

Yes, we will have the Jesus-oriented pro-life / anti-abortion advertisement from Focus on the Family, featuring Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mother Pam, aired during the Super Bowl. 

And, we will have CBS commentator James Brown on the sidelines at Sun Life Stadium.

Who wants to make sure that Players who talk about their Faith in Jesus Christ, and how It has helped them, get air time during the Game. 

But, talk is cheap. 

How about the Walk?

How about no trash talking?

No sneaky elbow butts?

No bone-crunching tackles?

No take downs that cause concussion?

In fact – how about eschewing deliberate violence against the opponents altogether?

Why not a good, clean, Game?

Is it too much to ask of 22 Christians on the field to play in a manner that honors Our Lord Jesus Christ?

Unnecessarily violent tackles do not honor Our Lord. 

Nor, sneaky underhand hits.

Nor, expletives, insults.

What honors Our Lord is Fair Play.

What good is it? — a Player mouthing off how the Lord is his Rock? — the keystone of his Success…..?

…..if he follows it up by unleashing mayhem on the opponents?

Willfully inflicting bodily harm.  

Designed to render the opponent incapable, or less capable.

Yes, in so doing the Game may be won.

But, the people watching, who hear violent Players glibly confess the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Center of their lives, will be left baffled, confused, bewildered, by this hypocrisy.

And, the opportunity to evangelize 1 billion people will have been lost.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

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