Applying The Bible to Our Culture and World

These are the opinions of Jeff Phillips, pastor of an inner city Southern Baptist church in the heart of the bible belt. These views do not represent Woodfield Park Baptist Church, Ashley my wife, our 3 dogs or 3 cats.







Friday, April 18, 2014

Dabo Swinney On The Hot Seat For God

Acts 5:29, "But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'"

Clemson University head football coach Dabo Swinney has been on the hot seat before. Following a 6-7 season in 2010, the schools first losing season in 11 years, Swinney was hearing the cries of the Tiger faithful. Clemson has a proud football tradition and losing is not taken lightly. Swinney responded by letting go some trusted assistant coaches to address the issues, and over the last 3 seasons Clemson has won 32 games. Last season Clemson finished ranked 7th in the nation and were Orange Bowl Champions. Dabo Swinney knows what it feels like to have his job on the line. But now, as the result of scrutiny from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Swinney finds himself on the hot seat again. This time, not from the rabid Tiger faithful, but from a group who says that Swinney, is simply......to open regarding his Christian faith.

Dabo Swinney is very open regarding his faith in Jesus Christ. His faith is a defining characteristic of who he is. His life story is inspiring and he credits his faith with being the primary thing that has seen him through many tough times. He does not shy away from sharing this about himself, rather, he embraces it openly for all to know. He tells perspective recruits that he is a Christian, and that if they have a problem with his faith, Clemson is probably not the school for them. He and the staff arrange for voluntary activities that help engage those members of the team who do wish to pursue Jesus with opportunities to do so. Now the FFRF is calling for him to be fired for this. They say there is no place for this sort of display of faith at a public university. They say he has violated the U.S. Constitution in regards to separation of church and state.

Dabo Swinney is a football coach. He is paid to win games, and he does so. He is also a Christian, commanded by God to be "unashamed" of the gospel and to share Jesus with others. Does Swinney discriminate and not allow players of other religions or no religion not to participate? No, Swinney is a football coach paid to win games. If a player were a Druid and worshipped the beautiful trees surrounding Clemson's home field, "Death Valley," but could run a 4.4 40 and gain 1500 yards rushing, Swinney would recruit and play him. He'd tell the player of his convictions and let the player decide whether or not he wanted to play under a Christian coach. Their are 119 NCAA BCS football schools from which to choose, so the player is not limited in his choices in which to pursue football. Clemson currently has a Mormon member of the football team, and in the past have had Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, and yes, atheists. None have complained. Swinney understands his job, but he also understands his faith. The question now being raised is can the two coexist?

The media has taken to this story with a frenzy. Regular segments on Fox News and other news organizations have peppered the airwaves. Yesterday on ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption," substitute host J.A. Adande said that "freedom of religion is freedom from religion." This is the question that must be answered here. Is a person to be allowed to openly embrace and practice the tenets of their faith in the public square as a public employee? Will they be allowed to obey their beliefs unfettered? This issue is far larger than Dabo Swinney and Clemson University. Does our constitution guarantee an individual the right not to have religion anywhere around them in regards to a public institution?

This argument of "freedom from religion" has been gaining steam for years now. We've seen the Ten Commandments removed from government buildings and municipalities banned from displaying nativity scenes. Apparently, any display of Christian faith in a public forum is the establishment of that religion by the public entity. Apparently, just having something regarding faith within earshot and eyesight infringes upon the constitutional rights of an individual. Apparently, having a football coach who obeys his faith and is open and honest about it is harmful and discriminatory in the opinion of some.

The scripture verse above states the Christian principle regarding something like this in the bible. When a Christian is faced with a decision as to whether they will obey the rules and laws of men or God, the Christian must choose God. Our constitution, in the first amendment, guarantees it's citizenry the right to practice their faith. It does not infringe or prohibit that faith from being practiced anywhere. Will it now be prohibited in public by employees of state institutions because to do so indicates an endorsement by the said institution? Will it be decided that a Christian must disobey God in order to be employed by the state? These are huge questions, and ones that this case may finally bring to a head.

Dabo Swinney is on the hot seat, only this time, it's his faith that has brought it about. As a Christian, that hot seat is where we should desire to be. The bible tells us that "all who desire to live a godly life shall suffer persecution." Coach Swinney is a man who understands this, and I am confident will embrace it. He will do so with conviction but also with grace. Personally, I see this complaint gaining steam and more and more Christians rallying in support. I can see it going to court with great fanfare. It will not just be Dabo Swinney in the cross hairs, but also Clemson University and the state of South Carolina which funds it. I also have confidence those two institutions will stand strong here. As a result of all the publicity this is now generating,  I believe all involved realize their is far more at stake here than the practices of a football coach in regards to his team. What's at stake is this:

Will a Christian be allowed to openly practice their faith if employed by a state institution? The constitution places no such prohibition on this. Will the courts?