Famed Christian quarterback Tim Tebow has decided to cancel his upcoming speech at the controversial First Baptist Dallas Church.
Tebow, who was scheduled to appear at the church on April 25 of this year, chose to cancel the engagement and not associate himself with the views of lead pastor Robert Jeffress. Jeffress has come under fire for his comments against Muslims, Jews, homosexuals and Mormons.
Robert Jeffress, lead pastor of the First Baptist Dallas Church.
One of Jeffress’ anti-homosexual comments was made public in a statement back in July 2012:
There are a disproportionate amount of assaults against children by homosexuals than by heterosexuals, you can’t deny that. And the reason is very clear: homosexuality is perverse, it represents a degradation of a person’s mind and if a person will sink that low and there are no restraints from God’s law, then there is no telling to whatever sins he will commit as well.
The NY Daily News received a statement from Jeffress about his stance on his previous comments:
I think as pastors we have a duty to preach ‘the whole counsel of God,’ and not just discuss those that are politically correct. It’s my role to speak clearly on the issues on which the Bible speaks clearly. It’s my role to preach what the Bible says, and that includes the controversial issues.The reason for this firestorm is not because the word of God has changed. It’s because society has changed.
Tebow announced his cancellation plans via Twitter:
While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ’s unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic…
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013
… First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my…
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013
…upcoming appearance. I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those…
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013
…needing a brighter day. Thank you for all of your love and support. God Bless!
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013
Robert Jeffress stated that Tebow did tell him that he intends to appear at the church at a later, unspecified date. The First Baptist Dallas Church released a statement on Tebow’s cancellation:
The leaders and congregation of First Baptist Church Dallas are disappointed that New York Jets’ Quarterback Tim Tebow today has announced he will no longer speak at First Baptist Church Dallas on April 28, 2013, as part of the month-long celebration events surrounding the grand opening of our new $130 million, state-of-the-art campus on Easter Sunday. Mr Tebow called Dr. Jeffress Wednesday evening saying that for personal and professional reasons he needed to avoid controversy at this time, but would like to come to First Baptist Dallas to speak at a future date. We are saddened that Mr. Tebow felt pressure to back out of his long-planned commitment to First Baptist Dallas from numerous New York and national sports and news media who grossly misrepresented past comments made by our pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress, specifically related to issues of homosexuality and AIDS, as well as Judaism. As a Christian pastor, Dr. Jeffress takes a biblical approach to moral and social issues, closely following his duty to preach ‘the whole counsel of God,’ and not just address issues that are politically correct. First Baptist is a church built on the truth of Scripture, even though at times that approach can be perceived as controversial or counter to the prevailing winds of culture. The reason for the recent media firestorm is not because the Word of God has changed, but because society has changed. More important, contrary to editorializing in the media, Dr. Jeffress shares a message of hope, not hate; salvation, not judgment; and a Gospel of God’s love, grace and new beginnings available to all.
Video footage of Robert Jeffress speaking on his controversial views can be viewed below: