Britt Hume and the message of reconciliation

Last weekend, television news journalist Britt Hume expressed an opinion that set off a fire storm of controversy. As part of a panel discussion, Hume was responding to the recent revelations of golfer Tiger Woods adulterous affairs. Hume opined that Tiger would probably reestablish his golf prominence, but may lose his family. However, Hume then offered his opinion about what Woods needed to do in order to personally recover from these transgressions. His commentary was as follows:

"Tiger Woods will recover as a golfer. Whether he can recover as a person I think is a very open question, and it’s a tragic situation for him.

I think he’s lost his family; it’s not clear to me if he’ll be able to have a relationship with his children, but the Tiger Woods that emerges once the news value dies out of this scandal -- the extent to which he can recover -- seems to me to depend on his faith.

He’s said to be a Buddhist; I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be: ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith, and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.’"

These words of truth spoken by Hume did not even mention Jesus Christ, but the backlash his comments have brought about should be no surprise. Hume is correct. Buddhism does not offer any forgiveness of sin and does even recognize the existence of a Creator God. Regardless, Hume could have probably suggested that Tiger Woods turn to any other world religion and there would not have been any backlash about his comments.

Jesus understood that people would always oppose Him and those who profess Him as Savior and Lord. When speaking to His disciples Jesus said, “You will be hated by everyone because of my name.” When speaking to one of the most learned religious leaders of His day Jesus told him, “This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.”

The criticism of Hume’s comments has ranged from one news commentator accusing him of “attempt[ing] to threaten Tiger Woods into converting to Christianity.” Another prominent news commentator “blasted Hume, saying he had no business mentioning Christianity on a political talk show.”

Yes, light has come into the world…that Light is Jesus Christ. People who love the darkness; people who love their evil deeds, will hate the light and avoid it. They will hate Jesus Christ and avoid Him.

However, all is not lost. For we, as born again believers, once stood in the same darkness. We stood opposed to God. We stood aligned with those who hate the light and avoid it.

But God pursued us, just as He is pursuing all those who have railed against the comments of Britt Hume. God’s desire is that no one should perish, but that all will come to repentance. For it is by grace we are saved. Grace – the unmerited favor of God through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. It is this grace that we are to be about the business of testifying to those God has placed around us, and to those where God may send us.

We are His messengers. He has given us a message of reconciliation; a message that is for the entire world…even Tiger Woods. Hume understands this. He understands there is no other religion that provides forgiveness of sin. He took a stand on national television, and in numerous interviews since, that has resulted in him not having to explain himself, but that has given him an even larger platform for telling the good news of Jesus Christ!

What about those around you? Are you so bold as to relate to them the love of God? Have you placed yourself at God’s disposal, regardless of the perceived cost – which is no cost at all in terms of our eternal reward – so that God can reach others with the message of reconciliation He has entrusted to you?