Two Christianities? Not likely.

So just today the question was poised to me, “Did I support Tim Tebow taking a knee” in the context of my disapproval of NFL athletes’, coaches’, and workers’ choice of protest venue.

Yes. Yes I did.

Let’s be clear. Tim Tebow knelt in prayer, in thanks to God, and in doing so was ridiculed and run out of the NFL. Tim Tebow paid a major price for his display of faith.

On Sunday the 24th, over 100 NFL players, coaches and workers knelt in protest of perceived injustices, choosing to do so during the playing of the National Anthem. This form of protest was publicized by Colin Kaepernick, whom the Washington Post cited in a recent article was of a brand of Christianity not preferred by today’s church.

Hmm? What? Did I hear that right?

Ok, so first off, only God knows the heart of either man. For all I know Tim Tebow is a great actor and Colin Kaepernick is misunderstood. I’ve never met either man and all I know is the public persona.

But what did the author mean by “the brand of Christianity preferred by many in the church today” in reference to Tebow vs. Kaepernick? (see “Colin Kaepernick vs. Tim Tebow: A tale of two Christians on their knees” in September 24th The Washington Post) Well, the author himself states the divide between the two men represents the divide in Christianity on an international scale – one “that values personal piety, gentleness, respect for cultural mores, and an emphasis on moral issues” versus “another that values social justice, community development, racial reconciliation, and political activism.”

Ok – gloves off.

That second version of “Christianity” is not biblical – it’s no more Christian than the guy on the corner, drinking a beer, smoking a joint, cursing at the crowd saying ‘The end is near!’

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Show me anywhere that “social justice” or “racial reconciliation” is a fruit of the Spirit. Where does placing ones’ self above another, which is the crux of social justice, even come close to spiritual fruit? Where does violent political activism resonate with Christ’s living example?

It doesn’t. Just like churches preach wrong gospels, teach wrong principles and claim more than one way to heaven, the “Christianity” described by the author is not Christianity at all. Rather, it’s a tool of Satan himself to distract and destroy the church God built. He’s the thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and he’s doing it through social protests and American Idols we call sports stars.

So I challenge you today to seek your own salvation. Don’t be deceived just because a millionaire told you so or the speaker is the same color skin, has the same tattoos, or drinks the same Kool-aid.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12, NIV)