Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey

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Pastor's Pulse

by Paul Leggett, Pastor

Faith in Our Society

February 2012

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.”- Psalms 100:1

It seems that Christian faith is starting to emerge as a topic in our society once again.  My wife and I just saw the new film A Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. The film is about a gospel choir competing for a choir championship.  Strikingly, for a contemporary commercial film, most of the picture takes place in church. The film shows the characters’ all too human sides but everything is discussed in the context of faith and Christian service. Queen Latifah sings a song that I found absolutely spellbinding called, “Jesus, Fix Me.”  During that number it seemed the theater was as quiet as a prayer meeting.  People not only applauded the movie at the end, they applauded individual gospel songs during the film.
This morning’s front page of The New York Times carried a major story on Denver Broncos’ quarterback, Tim Tebow.  By this time even non-sports fans know about the Tebow phenomenon.  Tim Tebow, former quarterback for the national champion University of Florida Gators and winner of the Heisman Trophy as college football’s best player, is an outspoken Christian. His parents are missionaries in the Philippines and he has returned there in the off season to help them in their work.  The Tebow phenomenon has been fueled by the fact that he often seems to be floundering as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos.  Some of his passes have looked like the proverbial wounded duck in flight.  These lapses have been irrelevant however.  He has brought his team to a series of what even the media have called “miraculous” wins.  After a touchdown he gets down on his knees and prays, a stance now referred to as “tebowing.”
Some have found his outspoken expressions of faith excessive.  Yet the attention he has garnered has been remarkable and, truthfully, it has been as much about his Christian faith as it has been about his winning ways on the football field.  By the time this is read we’ll know whether or not Tebow is leading his team to the super bowl.  In any event he has managed to make the issue to be not about himself, nor even about football, but rather about faith in Jesus Christ. 
The Lord has said that his word will not return to him empty (Isaiah 55:11) so we should not be surprised that even our post-modern, secular culture periodically has to confront the reality of the gospel in one form or another.  The Book Review section of The New York Times focused on Christmas Day on the enormous influence of the Bible in all of western literature. 
This month we begin the observance of Lent.  If you are not already in a Bible study or prayer group this is an excellent opportunity to get involved.  We will also be offering special services every Wednesday evening throughout Lent. Plan to be with us as we continue our year long emphasis on the joys and challenges of Christian discipleship.