God Isn’t on Ray Lewis’ side…or anyone’s for that matter

Posted Feb 4 2013 by Michael Kimpan with 24 Comments

Ray Lewis1

    Earlier this week, it was reported that one in four Americans believes that God ‘plays a role in determining which team wins’ at sporting events.

    Additionally, more than half of Americans believe God ‘rewards athletes who have faith with good health and success,’ as researched by a recent poll performed by the Public Religion Research Institute.

    <insert divinely inspired facepalm here>

    Last night after their Super Bowl win, Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens made two (perhaps) well-intentioned yet theologically inept statements ::

    ’When God is for you, who can be against you?’ (in response to being asked what it was like to be a Super Bowl champion)

    I’m not even sure how to *begin* to respond.

    My friend Andrew Marin said it well in less than 140 characters:

    Context and usage determine meaning.

    The verse Lewis quoted is Romans 8:31. In context, it is speaking specifically of individuals being reconciled to God in the person of Jesus Christ – who advocates on behalf of humanity in the midst of our common struggle with falling short of perfection.

    Not the San Francisco 49ers, regardless of how poorly they played in the first half.

    The Apostle Paul, in the middle of the first century, wasn’t writing about an American football game.

    Lewis’ second comment came in response to what he would say to the families of the two men that were murdered by being stabbed to death (Lewis himself had been accused and acquitted of their double homicide):

    ‘To the family, if you knew – if you knew the way God works – he don’t use people who commits anything like that for his glory. No way. It’s the total opposite.’

    Hmmmph.

    Moses killed a guy. Then he led the people of Israel out of bondage and into the promised land.

    King David killed a guy, because otherwise it would have been exposed that he’d slept with his wife while he was out of town working. Oh, and that ‘guy’ was his friend. He is celebrated as the greatest king of Israel’s history, and called ‘a man after God’s own heart’ in scripture.

    The Apostle Paul killed people for following Jesus. Then he had a change of heart. Then he stopped killing people and started helping them find and follow Jesus (just like the people he’d killed). He also wrote the verse Lewis quoted out of context.

    I’m confident in saying that Lewis, donning his ‘Psalms 91′ undershirt did not intentionally propagate unhelpful and damaging theologies.

    New to Red Letter Christians? Start Here…

    Perhaps the same can even be said for the *thousands* of people who retweeted his quote exclaiming, ‘Ray Lewis just quoted my favorite verse! Praise the Lord!’

    I’m sure they had the best of intentions.

    But well intentioned bad theology is still bad theology.

    When Ray Lewis and one in four people in our country believe that God gives a damn about the outcome of a football game – and that the winner is dictated by whomever’s side God is on (spoiler alert :: he’s on neither side), it gives me reason to believe there is a need for some clarification || the logical result of the well-intentioned-bad-theology of Ray Lewis is that good things happen to good people (whose side God is on), and bad things happen to bad people (whose side God is not on).

    That’s what gives us the type of asinine statements that happen after tragedies like 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Japanese tsunamis and sandy hook elementary. and it’s worth speaking out against.

    For what it’s worth ::

    God is not on the Baltimore Ravens side; God is not on the San Francisco 49ers side.
    God is not on the Republicans side; God is not on the Democrats side.
    God is not on FOX news’ side; God is not on MSNBC’s side.
    God is not on Iran’s side; God is not on America’s side.
    God is not on Israel’s side; God is not on Palestine’s side.
    God is not on women’s side; God is not on men’s side.
    God is not on skinny people’s side; God is not on fat people’s side.
    God is not on gay people’s side; God is not on straight people’s side.
    God is not on married people’s side; God is not on re-married people’s side.
    God is not on single people’s side; God is not on divorced people’s side.
    God is not on Christianity’s side; God is not on Islam’s side.
    God is not on the side of the progressives; God is not on the side of the conservatives.

    Whether capitalist or socialist, celibate or in relationship, clinically depressed or overly bubbly, loud-mouthed or soft-spoken, a member of a church or someone without religion, African or Caucasian or Asian or Latino or European or whatever tax bracket you find yourself in, whether you speak English or another language, whether disabled or able-bodied, a pastor or parishioner – God is not taking sides with you against anyone.

    God is planted firmly on the side of humanity, in solidarity with each of us.

    God is on everyone’s side, and we’re all invited to be a part of what it is he is up to.

    even those of us with a past full of mistakes. even those of us still making mistakes.
    even those of us with bad theology.
    even Ray Lewis.
    even you.
    even me.

    Any questions? What do you think?

    —
    Michael Kimpan is the author of the WayWard follower blog, a site designed to inspire thoughtful conversation and movement among followers of Jesus Christ. Michael works with The Marin Foundation in Chicago, a non-profit organization which works to build bridges between the LGBT community and the Church.

    Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

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      About the Author

      Michael Kimpan

      Michael KimpanMichael Kimpan is the author of the WayWard follower blog, a site designed to inspire thoughtful conversation and movement among followers of Jesus Christ. Michael works with The Marin Foundation in Chicago, a non-profit organization which works to build bridges between the LGBT community and the Church.View all posts by Michael Kimpan →

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      • otrotierra

        Great commentary. I assume athletes like Ray Lewis and Tim Tebow have faith communities with teachers, biblical scholars, and theologians who would help them. Are they listening?

        • SamHamilton

          Don’t compare Tebow to Lewis. Tebow has never said anything remotely similar that I remember.

      • http://www.facebook.com/DeepNarcosis William J. Green

        Who was responsible for turning out the lights? God, Satan or Beyonce’s power-hungry half-time show (Esiason said she blew the lights out TWICE during rehearsals!)

      • http://twitter.com/smith_brooks Nate Smith

        Love this man!

      • Burgandy

        Moses killed a guy…read that in Ron Burgandy voice..

      • eric

        I guess 2 comments:

        1) Lewis isn’t speaking theology — he’s trying to associate his feelings (exultation), with God. As a marathoner, I also try to connect the feelings of well-being I get from running with my connectedness with God. Not just exultation — humility! I didn’t do this, God did it.

        2) The fact that Lewis says this in the context of a violent game between two mock-armies doesn’t take away from the strength of what he says (IMHO). I think he redeems the contentious nature of the game by celebrating the awesome physical capabilities he has developed, and giving God the credit.
        We humans take games seriously, that’s true. I think comments from Ray Lewis only help put our games in context.

        • 22044

          Great thoughts, in my opinion. :)

      • HaveFaith

        So proud of Ray Lewis for standing up for what he believes in unlike most people today. God is the only way! God will bless those who trust and follow in his word. Thanks for those who still spread his word. God is in everything, including football.

      • Jonathan Starkey

        What’s worse Ray Lewis taking scripture that inspires him out of context, or taking the time to thrash on it? Time I’ll never get back by reading this article.

      • Jonathan Starkey

        To sum it up: I’m more of a Super Christian than Ray Lewis because I can understand scripture in context.

      • Marc

        Wait so you think that the outcome of the superbowl in no way shape or form is dictated by a sovereign God whom has put into motion and requires the world to to move in such a way as to complete His plan because there is money involved? You remember that the two wealthiest men ever were BOTH Gods beloved, Solomon and David. Money, ALL OF IT, belongs to God. Some men use it for misdeeds. I assure you God does not shy away from the superbowl because its driven by money. He is far more powerful than money and is not effected by it, it’s use, or whether it is in volume or or lack. I would however debate that everything on earth is to his glory, whether we see it or not, the Ravens win, has altered the outcome of the world. Would we be having this topic if the 9er’s won? So it has dictated something, and the end result of it all is that God’s plan IS in full effect and glory. Could it have been any other team? How the hell would any of us know?! WE are NOT omniscient! I don’t even know how this effected my house let alone the course of the world and how it may have ensured that God places His throne in Israel. So please, before we castrate a man who is not a biblical scholar, lets consider for a second, that GOD, IS, IN CONTROL at all times! Whether that means he just lets things go knowing it will lead to His Kingdom, or if every step is ordered to ensure it.

        • Jonathan Starkey

          I’m not on board with the greek view of the three O’s. Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience. I’m not even totally sure God knew who was going to win the Super Bowl.

          Yay, Open Theism.

          • bluecenterlight

            High five, lol

        • JR

          Just curious as to how you would respond to someone, especially a non-believer, who would ask how to rationalize God being “IN CONTROL at all times” with what happened at Sandy Hook or the Holocost? I’m genuinely curious.

      • Jonathan Starkey

        Is it dualism or monism that wants God to be separate from our daily events? a little of both? Dualism be a private Christian, and monism God’s probably not involved.

      • 22044

        As this was Ray Lewis’ final game, he went out on top, he is known for freely expressing his emotions in significantly milder situations, and he often talks about his faith in God – I say let the guy say what he wants. And I’m a lot freer for not treating this like a big story.

      • bluecenterlight

        “We are
        Born like this
        Into this
        Into these carefully mad wars
        Into the sight of broken factory windows of emptiness
        Into bars where people no longer speak to each other
        Into fist fights that end as shootings and knifings
        Born into this
        Into hospitals which are so expensive that it’s cheaper to die
        Into lawyers who charge so much it’s cheaper to plead guilty
        Into a country where the jails are full and the madhouses closed
        Into a place where the masses elevate fools into rich heroes”
        ― Charles Bukowski

      • http://twitter.com/rdistaffen Rob Distaffen

        In Joshua ch1 we read of God telling Joshua that he is going to lead his people into the promised land and that as he was with Moses he would also be with Joshua. Therefore, be strong and courageous.

        In ch 5, Joshua was out walking through the land when he sees a stranger standing with a sword drawn. Joshua challenges him, are you for us, or our enemies?

        The man replied, neither, but as commander if the Lord’s army I am come.

        Joshua immediately fell down to worship. He realized that even though he was leading God’s people, God still is sovereign.

        If this was the discourse between God and Joshua regarding leading God’s people, how can we even begin to think he is on one sports reams side or another?

      • Paull

        Did you see the ending of the Denver game. More impressive miracle than parting the Red Sea.

      • Mathias

        Astonishing you figured this out but are too stupid to realize your God is a sham.

      • JRog

        God is on the side of those who follow Him through His Son Jesus Christ.

      • David

        Ray’s theological prowess does lack clear biblical understanding. His statements infer God was not on the side of any 49ers players. I am sure there are believers on the 49ers team. God is for His people specifically, so much so He sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in them to accomlplish His will.
        I am equally unimpressed with Mr. Kimpan’s conclusions. His idea that God is not against anyone is pattently unfounded in scripture. Those diametrically opposing His will, plan and purposes were over and over again schooled in God being against them.
        Perhaps my most difficult concern with Mr. Kipmans position is his idea that God is firmly planted on the side of humanity in solidarity with each of us. On its face, that reduces God to human level. It is the other way around. God is love, holy, ect. And we are invited into solidarity with Him through repentance and daily dying to self. God sent His Son to die for our sin, making this kind if relationship available to us. In that sense, He is for all humanity, and He invites all humanity to this (whosoever may come), but the fact remains not all come, and some try to come on their own terms instead of Gods terms. God is not in solidarity with those who oppose Him. He loves them and died for their sin, but He is not in solidarity with them.
        Thanks Mr. Kimpan for the lively conversation starter and may the Grace of God cover us both where we are wrong and shield those from our conversations that could be turned away from Our Savior by them.
        Christ’s servant and yours,
        David D. Smith, Pastor, LC1st Nazarene

      • Mark

        Article would have been just as effective without the profanity… just sayin’

      • Omonse Esangbedo

        I don’t know if God is on everyone’s side… I think God is on God’s side and we’re the ones who have to choose a side to stand on.

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