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June 17, 2012
Webb Simpson, Golf's U.S. Open Champion on Faith: '*sinner* loved by a Savior.'
Simpson joins a recent string of high-profile Christian athletes.
Webb Simpson, who won today's U.S. Open golf tournament, might be the newest member of the "holy hall of fame." His Twitter bio describes him as a "*sinner* loved by a Savior."
Simpson, who trailed by four entering the final day, finished at 1-over-par 281 to beat Michael Thompson and Graeme McDowell by one stroke. He studied religion at Wake Forest University and has hosted a Youth for Christ Challenge golf tournament.
"It was a cool day. I had a peace all day," Simpson told reporters. “I probably prayed more on the last three holes than I’ve ever done in my life, and that kept me calm and got me home in 2 under."
He won his first PGA Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship last August.
“I’d be stupid not to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because it was tough out there and I was nervous, and I felt his presence all day,” he told CBN.
In an interview with Beliefnet's Chad Bonham, Simpson described how faith directly plays into golf ethics.
Our deposit of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, more than anything, has allowed me to make those tough decisions. It’s happened probably 10 times in my life where I had to make certain calls and call penalty shots on myself. For me, it’s not as much the nature of the game but the fact that the Holy Spirit is prompting me to call a penalty on myself. Within our own nature, we don’t want to call a penalty on ourselves. We want to see how much we can get away with. That’s been a part of every tough decision I’ve made in golf.
In April, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association spotlighted Bubba Watson, who won the 2012 Masters.
Earlier this year, CT spotlighted how many high-profile athletes--Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Kaka--put their faith front and center. CT has written cover stories on the pros and cons of sports.
Comments
What a refreshing story of the working out of one's faith in day to day work environment. Webb's work is our entertainment. He gave us a glimpse of what goes on in the inside of a professional as they perform their craft. Seeing his obedience to The Holy Spirit's promptings is encouraging to all of us that try to follow The Holy Spirit's leading.
Posted By: John Lee | June 17, 2012 11:32 PM
What's fascinating is the arrogance of Christian athlete's to think their lord and savior has any attention to a "game" and that's what it is...a game. Throughout the world people are oppressed, dying of starvation, being murdered, etc. You name the attrocity and it's happening to mankind. Where's the relief for the oppressed in the world? Oh, I know, it's preoccupied trying to help some kid win a golf tournament. What a crock.
Posted By: KG | June 18, 2012 12:13 PM
Amen! God does deserve the praise and glory for giving Web the ability and His peace to perform during the final round(really all 4 rounds) of the 2012 US OPEN!
Posted By: Andy | June 18, 2012 12:20 PM
What's fascinating is the judgmental nature of some Christian's tone on non-missionary Christians. I read no mention of a prayer for Christ to help win a game. What I read was a man praying for strength and wisdom. This could imply personal gain as some apparently believe, or it could be so that God may be glorified in everything Webb does. He is claiming the power of the Spirit instead of his own strength. I find it disappointing that anyone would criticize another Christian for exalting the strength of the Holy Spirit through a sinner for any endeavor. It sounds like KG is disappointed that a Christian would be called to be involved in a vocation of entertaining. This smacks of arrogance itself, and following the theology I suspect leads one to this conclusion, I could readily criticize any Christian who would have the audacity to own a computer or has any non-humanitarian vocation in a world of oppressed and starving people. To say that God is "preoccupied trying to help a kid win a golf tournament" is evidence of how small God is in someone's eye. To deny that God could be glorified in this or any manner (including suffering), is a belittlement of the Spirit and an almighty God who is in control of every lot cast in one's lap.
Posted By: Red | June 18, 2012 2:26 PM
God is indeed to receive the credit for Webb's success, but what is most significant about Webb's praise is that God is real enough to him that Webb recognizes it all to be the case. It is no great achievement to God to make a man a Master's event winner, but it is a great achievement of God to be so present and so loved by a sinful man that he forego basking in the glory himself in order that his God would receive the glory that is due to Him. Would that we all had the sense that Webb has to arrogantly assert that it is God who deserves the praise for any of our common everyday triumphs.
Posted By: Ben Schmittdiel | June 18, 2012 2:50 PM
THANK GOODNESS FOR CHRISTIAN ATHLETES LIKE YOU WHO PUT GOD INTO YOUR LIFE AND ARE A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. KEEP UP THE WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Posted By: D. EDWARDS | June 18, 2012 4:22 PM
There is no divide between God's grace for provision for a starving child, a discouraged pastor, a stressed out missionary, or a pro athlete who asks for strength. All are called to follow Jesus despite the circumstances. Dualism is a pervasive heresy that besets the church and has for its entire history. To portray a God who cares about the poor but not about the poor in spirit is to divide the character of God. Let's understand that he is the God of every square inch and Christ came to redeem the whole world, not only people, not only the oppressed and financially poor.
Posted By: Ray Blunt | June 18, 2012 7:27 PM
How interested is God in what goes on in the world? Is he involved in all of life, or does some aspects of life mean more to him than others?
Is He, for instance, concerned about the fact that people are "oppressed, dying of starvation, being murdered" and that assorted "atrocities" are "happening to mankind"? Is He, at the same time, equally concerned about whether or not "some kid wins a golf tournament".
I attended a Christian Conference one time at which all in attendance were asked to share in a simple meal of plain white rice and salt in solidarity with many African brethren for whom these items comprise their only daily meal. It was indeed an eye-opener for me on the reality of hunger and deprivation, and It impacted my life significantly.
After that meal should I have refused subsequently to eat the three or more meals God provides for me daily, because millions of people are starving? And must I denounce sporting activities because they bring pleasure in a world in which there is so much suffering?
In the end is sports not like everything else in the world: with the potential to be used for evil or for good, to build or destroy, to glorify God or magnify self?
Posted By: Steve Skeete | June 19, 2012 10:13 AM
@kg
God The Father, Jesus &Holy spirit is one powerful force involved in the lives of every single human on earth.
Every individual on this planet means something to our Lord including you "KG" God cares about your cares too.
Posted By: David Reyes | June 19, 2012 11:28 AM
it is all a placebo effect, if you believe in religion enough it actually has the power to make you believe in yourself even though it is all hot air. I wish i was gullible like Webb
Posted By: harry | June 21, 2012 1:17 AM
To Red, Steve, and David, I am glad to see your responses and your refocusing this as it was intended: On God.
To KG, I am too saddened by your response. I am a competitive gamer. I am blessed in many things that God has given me and I choose to use them for His glory, and my gaming is no exception. I lead a Bible Study on Xbox Live to help people grow in their own faith and understanding and allow anyone to join. Nothing is inheritantly something God doesn't care about, rather He cares about all. The question is what are we doing for Him?
To Harry, I am even more saddened by your post. I will be praying for you that you will choose to truly seek with an open mind and heart.
Posted By: Tyler | June 22, 2012 7:26 AM
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