Most Americans love football and faith. Tim Tebow, Denver quarterback, has mixed the two and sparked quite some debate about the public expression of religion. One of the controversial points has been his wearing of scriptural reference on the eye black (marks under his eyes) such as John 3:16.
The Barna Group did a recent survey to see if the typical American knew the significance of this reference. Could Americans identify what the “3:16” meant? And could they know, without predetermined choices what the “3” means?
Overall nearly 7 out of 10 Americans (68%) were able to identify without prompting that the “3” meant chapter 3. More than 3 out of 10 (15%) gave an incorrect guess or ventured no guess. 18-27 year olds had a lower basic understanding rate than the overall national average (61%). Practicing Protestant Christians (80%) were more likely than practicing Catholics (66%) to understand the reference. Interestingly enough, a majority of the people outside Christianity (59%), including those affiliated with another faith or atheists or agnostics, said they understood the “3” references the chapter.
I think it’s interesting that relatively speaking so many people know what these numbers refer to. Most Americans have at least some knowledge of the Bible and a connection to Christianity. In respect to Tebow, I wonder what would happen if more people were less concerned with public opinion and shared their faith more ‘audibly’. After all, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10: “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim (shout!) from the rooftops.”
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Blessings to you,
Patrick
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