On a recent Fox News panel, the trials and tribulations of Tiger Woods was a brief topic. Former Fox anchor Brit Hume had this to say: “He’s said to be a Buddhist; I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be: ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith, and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.’”
Of course, Hume’s comments caused liberals in the media (which is like saying “teenagers at the prom”) to go nuts. Jay Bookman of the Atlanta Journal Constitution implied Hume was arrogant and declared him to be “pompous” along with “rude and crass.” Bookman also used the all too familiar liberal line that, “faith is a private matter between that person and God.”
Later, in an interview about his comments, when Hume stated that “It is certainly true in secular America today that the most controversial two words you can ever utter in a public space are ‘Jesus Christ,’” Bookman said that Hume’s conclusion was “absurd.”
MSNBC anchor David Shuster declared that Hume had somehow “denigrated” and “diminished” Christianity. MSNBC business columnist Eve Tahmincioglu, on the Huffington Post, warned us to “Beware the Brit Humesin Your Office.” She added that, “The fact that a journalist -- and I use that term loosely as it pertains to Hume -- would go on a national news show and put down another high-profile individual's faith should tell all of us that religious bigotry, and bigotry as a whole, is a growing problem in this country.”
Tom Shales of the Washington Post said that Hume’s comments were sure to be “one of the most ridiculous” statements of the year and insisted that Hume should apologize. Of course, Keith Olbermann had to chime in, and essentially agreeing with Bookman, stated that we should, “keep religious advocacy out of public life.” Olbermann then went on to compare Hume, and those like him, to terrorists, suggesting that “the worst example” of this kind of “proselytizing” are “jihadists.”
Around this same time last year, when liberals were in a similar tizzy over Obama’s decision to have Rick Warren pray during the presidential inauguration, I wrote (see here) that “Many outside of Christianity, and many who feign to be a part of it, have an especially distorted view about what it means to be a follower of Christ. They seem eager to embrace His message of love and forgiveness, as well they should, but they easily forget His message of repentance and salvation. Also, they fail to notice that He was and is, of all things, a very controversial and divisive figure.”
Consider these words or accounts of Jesus: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matt. 10:34-39).”
“Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent (Matt.11:20).” “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it (Mark 8:34-35).” “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out (Mark 9:43).”
Brit Hume was right; it is absolutely true that the two most controversial words anyone can utter are “Jesus Christ.” Christ Himself essentially said the same thing: “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also (John 15:20).” “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me(Matthew 24:9).” “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11).”
Also, Jesus Christ NEVER claimed that a person’s faith was a private matter. That is frequently-uttered nonsense by many non-Christians, and even by some Christians. Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).”
As I pointed out in my column on Tiger, his only hope for true healing and redemption lies in finding a relationship with God. The only path to this relationship is through Jesus Christ. Of course, this invitation is not only for Tiger, but for all of us, for we have all been in a similar place as Tiger. Those of us who have made a decision for Christ know of the peace, joy, hope, forgiveness, and love we have in Him. It would be “rude and crass” not to reveal this to others.
Copyright 2010, Trevor Grant Thomas
At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason
Trevor and his wife Michelle are the authors of: Debt Free Living in a Debt Filled World
tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.com
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