Cam Newton, Idolatry, and Christ

A few things that I have learned about idolatry that I have learned from watching football, esp. Cameron Newton, this season.

First, on worship.  As human beings, we love sitting for long periods of time gazing upon superiority.  The better the athlete, the more talk, praise, and attention he gets.  Sure, the really bad players may get some attention, but only because they are superior in their inferiority!  How many times have we found ourselves discussing how fast a teenager is? Or how much they can bench press?  Or how many yards they have gained this year?  I find it very interesting that little to no effort is needed to commit these stats to memory.  Nor does anyone find it particularly difficult to engage in conversation about the same.  Again, interesting.

Second, on identity.  Cameron Newton’s jersey is sold out until next year.  In some mysterious way, our identity is attached to the life and identity of another.  When they excel we excel.  When they don’t, we don’t.  It’s almost like we take ownership of the merits [and demerits!] of another.  It truly is a great time when a superior athlete is on our team.  Why is this?  There is something deep within us that longs for worship; and also longs to be identified with the object of that worship.

Third, on futility of idolatry.  No athlete is worthy of our worship or identity. As superior to other athletes as they may be, not one of them is perfectly superior.  Not one of them is without sin.  They will fall.  Did Cameron Newton break the rules?  I’m not sure.  I wonder why so many men [and women] find themselves looking and listening, so eagerly and intently, for “Breaking News”.  Do we really care about the individual?  Or are we more concerned with our own identity and fulfillment?  Again, isn’t it interesting that many (myself included) find it almost effortless to search for and listen to news reports on the issue.  In a sense, we long for the conclusion.  But why?  Here is the reality of the situation.  Guilty or not, Cam will probably go pro.  Then he will either get injured or old.  Then he will leave sports.  Then he will die. I hope this news doesn't "break" us.

Fourth, on the abuse of idolatry.  When we raise these kids to the level of idolatry we abuse them.  Cam himself is experiencing the fickle nature of his own identity right now.  Praise from men is highly intoxicating – and intoxicated individuals rarely make good decisions.  In a way, when we feed our idols, we kill them.  In offering Cam praise, we sacrifice him upon our own alters of worship.  But that’s okay, praise keeps him blinded to this; and when that runs its course and doesn’t fulfill him anymore – we will pay him a ton of money.  Yeah, that will keep him in front of our eyes for a few more years!  Then we move on to the next guy.  Cam is left in the dark…sorry man.

Last, on Christ.  Why do we love superiority so much?  There is no doubt we do.  We long for it so badly that we are willing to ravage the slightest hint of it in the creature.  When a kid shows superiority, we adore him, praise him, follow his progress, and even memorize him.  Again, we place our identity in him.  As said before, however, all creatures fall.  And when they do – so do we. 

But Christ never falls.  He never fails.  He never tears an ACL.  He never takes money for selfish gain.  He never gets tired, old, sick, prideful, or “Terrell Owens-ish”.  And he will never retire! He is infinitely superior, with divine strength and endurance, able to save, change, care for, and redeem all who spend all of their Saturdays watching Him!  He is meticulous in all categories of life!  He is majestic, righteous and abounding in all that we need to be satisfied.  He will never let us down; nor will he leave us wanting.  He is the image of the invisible God – the One we were created for!  He is the maker and creator of every beating heart; and thus able to captivate and fill all of our emptiness.  He alone is worthy of our worship; and in Him (identity) we find our life.  Forever.  This season will never end.

I'm not saying watching and enjoying football is bad.  But making idols of players is.  There are many reasons for this, one of which is this:  we cannot show Cam Christ when he is our christ.  And right now, that kid needs Christ.  He needs to know that his identity can be secured and safely hidden in someone other than himself.