What Is Gleanings?

At Christianity Today, we’re constantly tracking important developments in the church and the world. Often we use our network of reporters around the world (and for that, visit our main site). But we also monitor other news outlets, bloggers, newsmakers’ social media feeds, and countless other information streams. Gleanings compiles the most urgent and interesting items we’ve found, explains why you need to know about them, and gives you the background you need to understand them. It’s our snapshot of what God is doing in the world, hour by hour.

Free Newsletters

« North Korea Protests South Korean Christmas Trees | Main | Yet Another College Investigates InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (Edited) »

December 14, 2011

Pastor Says He is Not Tebow's Pastor, Does Not Believe God Favors Broncos

Sarah Pulliam Bailey

A Denver-area pastor clarified earlier comments to a TMZ reporter, saying news outlets have wrongly portrayed him as Tim Tebow's pastor who believes God plays favorites.

Tebow has long been outspoken about his Christian faith, but his late-game wins have attracted even more attention this season as he began starting as the Broncos' quarterback, making him one of the most hot button athletes this year. Earlier this week, TMZ quoted a Colorado pastor suggesting God might favor Tebow.

Pastor Wayne Hanson -- who runs Summit Church in Castle Rock, CO where Tim's dad often speaks -- tells TMZ God is actively intervening in Denver Broncos football games ... and aiding Tim on the field because of his strong faith.

Hanson tells us, "It's not luck. Luck isn't winning 6 games in a row. It's favor. God's favor."

However, he told the Denver Post that he is not Tim Tebow's pastor and he does not believe God plays favorites with the Broncos.

For starters, he is not Tim Tebow's pastor. He has met the Broncos' quarterback and visited his home, but Tebow has never attended his church. And for good measure - no, Hanson does not believe God is choosing the Broncos over opponents because of Tebow's presence on the field.

..."I don't think God cares about who wins a football game," he said. "I do think he cares about people and people care about football. I think Tim has favor from God in his life, but that is there win or lose," he said.

Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner recently suggested that Tebow might consider toning down. CT interviewed Tebow earlier this year about his public expressions of faith.

posted by Sarah Pulliam Bailey | Comments (3)

Share thisShare this post

Comments

It's a favorite tactic of the left to mischaracterize those that they distrust. One of the best ways to mischaracterize a conservative, is to make it seem like he's saying something that no other christian would support. So you can make him look like a fool - if you can make him say something absurdly unbiblical. And then you hope that he compromises... by becoming a liberal and betraying his christian beliefs!

In order to get people to stop praying in public, make it seem that those who endorse public prayer are endorsing a man (which is unbiblical)...and then everyone will back off of endorsing prayer in public! Simple!

Posted By: E Harris | December 19, 2011 8:11 AM

I love Tebow as a football player, but I wish he would pray in his prayer closet (at home, or in the car) and not out in public.

It just strengthens the caracatures of so many Christians that the media plays up.

It's not necessary.

Posted By: Steve Martin | December 21, 2011 5:59 PM

Scripture does say to pray privately, and not for the approval of people but for God. However, he should not have to tone in down! He should be proclaiming on the mountaintop! Praise God for Tim Tebow!

Posted By: Ben Jones | January 1, 2012 9:10 AM