Two-Kingdom Theology and Professional Sports Fans

Published on by D. G. Hart

Protestant athletes are in the news — Tim Tebow, of Bible-verse eyeblack fame, and David Freese of World Series heroism (thanks to our D.C. correspondent). The reasons for the attention to these athletes say a lot about the differences between evangelicalism and confessional Protestantism. Practically anyone who watches sports knows that Tebow is a Christian and for good reason since he exhibits the typical born-again wear-it-on-your-sleeve (or in this case cheek) piety. Practically no one knew that Freese is a Missouri Synod Lutheran, and again this is fitting since confessionalists prefer not to draw attention to themselves.

Brian Phillips at Grantland (thanks to one of Reformed Forum’s listeners) has a very funny and poignant essay about Tebow. He is particularly interested in the way that the Denver quarterback is carrying the weight — likely intentionally — of the culture wars on his strong back. People either love or hate Tebow and it seems to depend on whether one is a Christian or one is anti-Christian. But Phillips points out astutely how stupid rooting against Tebow is:

For the sake of argument, let’s say that the universe is radically meaningless. If that’s the case, then when Tebow wins, it’s a fluke that doesn’t prove anything. When he loses, it’s also a fluke that doesn’t prove anything. For his losing to mean anything, it has to tie into some larger cosmic order, and if it does, then it can’t prove that there isn’t one. Since no one really knows whether the universe is meaningless or not, things rapidly grow confusing. Tebow scoring a two-point conversion on an off-tackle power play could prove that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, or it could, well, not. Tebow’s getting picked off after telegraphing a pass could doom us to a state of terrifying metaphysical uncertainty, especially if we are the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach. But if you’re against Tebow, you can’t read too much into Tebow’s failures, or else Tebow has already won.

I myself have no dog in this fight, partly because the National Football League holds less and less interest, and also because the Tebow story hasn’t grabbed any part of me.

At the same time, I have plenty of reason to root against Freese (though it is too late for that) since he is part of a team that took down my beloved Phillies (and he had some hand in doing that). If I were an evangelical and my faith went “all the way down,” then I’d have to root for another confessional Protestant (better if he were Reformed — and didn’t play on the Lord’s Day). But two-kingdom theology is remarkably handy in allowing me to separate my ecclesial convictions from rooting interests. So while I appreciate Freese’s church affiliation as a confessional Protestant, as a native of Philadelphia I hope the Cardinals recognize his value and trade him to Major League Baseball’s equivalent of hell — the Houston Astros.

42 thoughts on “Two-Kingdom Theology and Professional Sports Fans”

  2. Yes, the Astros are currently the gehenna of MLB. However, this was a hell of their own making. They were ample with talent as evidenced by the Phillies (!) pillaging of our pitching staff (seems like Brad Lidge was money for the Phillies the year they won the WS). Phillies also weren’t afraid to grab up Oswalt either, during their experiment with a thicker rotation. And don’t forget Lance Berkman, who decided to start mashing once he left the Astros and now has a WS ring for his efforts (he is member of an “Independent” Presbyterian church, for what its worth).

    Honestly, I don’t need 2K theology to justify hating the Cards (or the Phillies). IT is simply a law written on my heart!

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  3. Living in Colorado, I am sick of the over exposure of Tim Tebow. I’m of course glad that he trusts in Christ, but putting the emphasis upon yourself only sets himself up for a huge fall. And now we have people doing the “Te-Bow” in a mock prayer. How does that help? There are plenty of Christian athletes, but thankfully most keep out of the limelight so that they are not turned into some Evangelical Super Hero. Remember Evander Holyfield?
    And since I am a lifelong Cards fan, what a win. Coming back from 4 down against Cliff Lee? Whoah. Freese will stay with Cards and win a few more title with Pujols and friends. Phils are getting too old. They better win next year or else.

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  11. Dr Hart,

    “So while I appreciate Freese’s church affiliation as a confessional Protestant, as a native of Philadelphia I hope the Cardinals recognize his value and trade him to Major League Baseball’s equivalent of hell — the Houston Astros.”

    As a Phillies fan whose first visit to Connie Mack was in 1965, I think Freese would look good in Phillies pinstripes. Polanco only has one more year guaranteed and is barely out produced Wilson Valdez last season.

    Isn’t there a good church home for him in Glenside?

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  15. Ugh. And I forgot about Hunter Pence going to the Phillies, too. Wade basically shipped our team to the NL equivalent of the Yankees, and got wampum in return.

    And keep Howard. We’ll send you Ed for free.

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  16. Albert will be Theo Epstein’s first big move in Chicago, triggering the apostasy of thousands in St. Louis.

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  17. Great opportunity for sabermetrically-minded evidentialists here. First, gather religious data on baseball players: denominations, theological distinctives, frequency of church attendance, and hours of devotional time. Then, correlate that data with WAR (wins above replacement) and other key productivity data. Viola! (not Frank), we will have statistical proof of the true religion. Isn’t Cagle a math guy? There’s your calling, Jeff.

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  19. Dr. Hart, I have been waiting for a post on Tebow…especially after the news I read on Monday about the events of last Sunday 🙂

    What ever happened to athletes evidencing their Christianity through being in the world but not of the world? The movie Chariots of Fire constantly comes to mind whenever I hear of Tebow. 100 years ago, Tebow may have been excommunicated from a church for what he is today doing supposedly in the name of Christ.

    What better way to prove you are a Christian to all the Christian fans than by skipping church and working/playing the entire Lord’s Day? If I was a child and my parents cheered Tebow every Lord’s Day (and the occasional Monday/Thursday), and Tebow didn’t have to go to church, I would wonder why I should have to go to church…I would obviously be a better Christian if I stayed home and work out to prepare my body to become a Christian sports legend.

    Apart from the light of nature, what’s the difference between playing football on the Lord’s Day in the name of Christ and stealing or committing adultery in the name of Christ? In my experience, guys like Tebow and Pujols are very beneficial in leading children out of the Reformed faith, and keeping parents from ever entering the Reformed faith.

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  21. Dr. Hart, I have enjoyed listening to the Christianity & Politics 2011 podcasts from Christ Reformed Church. I thought David Coffin’s lectures were particularly “accessible” and helpful. The lectures made me think scripturally and spiritually. That’s a great group of guys you’re associated with!

    And we won’t talk about the Twins.

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  25. MM, sex is okay as long as the tenets of adultery aren’t included? THE TENETS OF ADULTERY!!!???? I did not know that adultery had become a w— v—.

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  26. DGH, I didn’t even notice that, but I’m with you in thinking that adultery is not a deduction from a belief system. It’s kind of amazing that we even need to point that out.

    I was thinking more about Pastor Mark’s alternatives: Christian yoga or demonic yoga. With a tip of the hat to Zrim, I don’t think Christ died for yoga, but neither do I think demonic yoga is the alternative to Christian yoga. But when you synthesize the charismatic perspective with w___v___, I guess you end up with demons inhabiting thoughts and various suspect activities. Stay tuned for more charismatic-infused utterances from Pastor Mark.

    Can you imagine attending Driscoll’s church? Maybe there’s a thirty-something who likes the flexibility, balance, core work, and relaxation she gets from yoga. She’s been regularly attending a class with a couple friends followed by a visit to the local Starbucks. It’s been a nice little break in her routine. But when she sits in her pew this week she’s wondering whether she’s been involved in demonic activity or if other attenders think she is demonic. This ties in with the whole Sovereign Grace fiasco: the charismatic perspective is wired to oppressive oversight.

    It’s not that Christian yoga hasn’t been tried. I’ve seen a local promotion for Yahweh Yoga, but that title wasn’t a real magnet for me. I’m thinking there would be a too-smiley instructor backed by some mellow (and annoying) CCM playing, neither of which would be conducive to alternating concentration and relaxation. Just give me the standard ethereal music, thank you, with an athletic instructor whose routine flows well.

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  27. But for fans of irony, one has to love the richness of a clairvoyant opposing an activity for its mystical dimension. Christian yoga is a contradiction in terms but not Christian ESP. Following worldview philosophy can be like tracking with a Dispensational eschateology chart.

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  28. What’s Driscoll’s fuss with yogurt being demonic? He better leave the hummus alone, which may be difficult since the first recipe was delivered by no less than Zoroaster himself.

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  29. I did’nt waste my time reading the whole article by Pastor Mark, but I got a good laugh by reading the comments here. Especially the image of MM doing yoga with the standard ethereal music and the athletic instructor whose routine flows well. For some reason I saw Sarah Palin as the instructor in Eminems mind. Ugh oh, I guess I have not lost all my charismania yet- it still lingers and that is a bad thought. Thank God for confessional statements and the ordinary means of grace. Does this somehow tie in to the original post here, probably not.

    I did learn that the playoffs and world series hero (David Freese) was a Missouri synod Lutheran- now I know why I seemed to like his demeanor during interviews- he often had a quizzical and embarassed look on his face when trying to answer some of the uncomfortable questions that sports journalists ask.

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  30. John, how do you envision Michael doing anything with just that nondescript avatar? Maybe you have Driscoll’s powers of telepathy. But I wonder what the Holy See of Seattle thinks is more demonic, practicing yoga or going to see “Avatar”:

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  31. No Palinesque instructors, John, but there have been some interesting characters. My first instructor was a former Type A personality and downtown lawyer who ditched her career to pursue yoga and other healing/holistic activities. It was interesting watching her old Type A battle with her new philosophy right there during class. She would have us all in a full body sweat within twenty minutes and regularly had athletes who would strain to keep up with the physical demands of her class. She was actually quite philosophical and had some pretty valid things to say along the way.

    Another instructor was a physical freak. He once rode a bicycle over 450 miles within 24 hours. He was in his forties when he did that. Then there was a guy who lit a bunch of candles and utilized a lilac scent. No, I didn’t go back for a second class with him. But the majority of instructors I’ve had could just be your next door neighbor and treat it like just another exercise class.

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  32. “John, how do you envision Michael doing anything with just that nondescript avatar?”

    Speaking of it, what’s the deal with having/getting a message board avatar? Truthfully, my avatar would be as ambiguous as my name, but it would be nice to have some Miami Vice colors in that square.

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  33. You’re such a man’s man MM; I was going to phrase my previous comment differently by wondering our loud whether the athletic yoga instructor was male or female ( I was betting on female, hence, the Sarah Palin remark); but you answered the question in your comment, so, maybe I do possess some charismatic clarvoyence. Just kidding, mainly.

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  34. Yeazel, you’re really trying to get me going, aren’t you? Well I have no time for this nonsense because I have to go do…um…laundry now. What am I laundering? My martial arts uniform, of course.

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  35. Zrim, I have seen that video by Pastor Mark before; I am not sure if his interpretation of the movie was correct or not but it does square with the kind of thinking which is common in much of Christiandom, ie., there are demonic forces behind most everything which comes out of Hollywood, the arts or other talented persons who do not adhere to a biblical point of view. I think the idea of common grace questions these types of interpretations; I have found lots of negative reaction by Christians to the concept of common grace which they find ungrounded in scripture. How do you counter their arguments?

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  38. I actually think David Freese has been attending The Journey in St. Louis, which is the MO Baptist Convention/Acts 29 church pastored by Darin Patrick. Not sure how this affects your argument; I guess it makes it easier to root against Freese?

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  39. Well, if Freese left confessionalism for YRR, at least you can nullify it when adding the numbers since this former YRR embraced confessionalism. A fair trade? well definitely not. A personal “I’m sorry” to the confessionalists, but you’re stuck with me.

    Besides, his being a professional athlete, who is now evangelical (we all know he is the best candidate now to win souls for Jesus in the St Louis area…) goes right along with the typical theology of glory that even the YRR crowd seems to evoke, albeit in an altered form from the rest of evangelicalism. That’s one reason I never seemed to “fit” in my local SGM church. I’m just an ordinary, socially awkward dude. That makes me feel right at home in my old-school PCA church (no offense to my fellow church members who read @ oldlife!)

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