Zach Johnson wins Masters, “feels” Grandpa and Jesus
This weekend golfer Zach Johnson turned in an impressive performance and won The Master’s. He was able to hold off Tiger Woods down the stretch to come away with his first green jacket and only his second victory on the PGA tour.
Apparently Johnson is known for his faith. He climbed up onto the riser behind the 18th green and joked that he should “start preaching”. Then he let everyone know what his aim was for the weekend:
“Regardless of what happened today, my responsibility was to glorify God. Hopefully I did.”
Well this is a great encouragement to hear someone present a good biblical work ethic, especially in the arena of professional sports.
I do wish that Johnson would have stopped there, however.
Johnson went on to say:
“I don’t know if I was necessarily calm. I had some people looking after me today. Being Easter, my faith is very important to me….I felt Jesus, I felt my grandfather, my family, everybody…So it was awesome.”
You felt Jesus, your grandfather, and everybody? What does this mean? What did Jesus feel like?
I’m assuming that his grandfather has passed away and this was one of those “he is looking down on me” things. The feeling Jesus thing is a little strange as well. And what does he mean by feeling everybody?
This is the sad offspring of the evangelical mystic theology that is so prevalent in America today. Evangelicals so tend to elevate feelings to a level of authority. It is the inside out (subjective) revelation rather than the outside in (objective) approach to revelation.
I don’t want to be hard on Johnson, nitpick his words or try to dissect his theology. I am encouraged that he was aiming to glorify God. However, as a Christian I am continually alarmed by the elevation of these fuzzy feelings to such unbiblical and unlikely levels of authority. This is the culture that we as American evangelicals have created through our ill advised marriage with New Age pagan mysticism, and it is a shame.
I can’t help but think if this guy was alive and won a major golfing tournament when the Puritans dominated the religious scene in America that he would have stopped with his mission to glorify God and give him thanks for a victory. This type of thing motivates me to study, teach, model faithful handling of the word, and faithful speech concerning God. All of this that we might be part of drawing folks back to the Scripture as the authority, governor and interpreter of our feelings.
And I do want to reiterate that I am not picking on Zach Johnson and am encouraged by what seems like a sincere desire to glorify God, from what I have read he is a professing Christian. We are all growing, including both me and Zach Johnson. His post tournament speech, however, is a telling commentary on the contemporary religious scene and should serve as both a rebuke to evangelicalism and an encouragement to revisit the sufficiency of Scripture in our own lives and churches.
Possibly Related posts:
- Think of Him as God…or responding to the preaching of an effeminate Jesus
- Book Review- Jesus Made in America
- More Valentines’ Day Cards from Jesus
- Plastic Jesus
- Remind me again why we are here?
16 Responses to “Zach Johnson wins Masters, “feels” Grandpa and Jesus”
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Good commentary. I would not be too hard on Zach Johnson either. He had a public stage and had just won a the most prestigious golf tournament, a tournament that was, from all reports, very emotionally draining. I don’t believe he had a chance to think about what he would say before he said it. And I am glad he is willing to speak about his faith.
However, I think you “hit the nail right on the head.” Johnson’s comments are a reflection of our current evangelical vernacular. It is (generally speaking) man-centered, feeling-oriented, and theologically sloppy.
You got it Dan…I do not want to slam the guy and I hope it doesn’t come off that way (tone is often so hard to communicate).
Glad to have you. Checked out your site and see you are pastoring up in Canada…it is a pleasure to strive together with you.
Perhaps this is a question for your Friday series, but let’s up the ante a little bit. Say a couple has a miscarraige and they pray for Phil 4:6-7 as do others for them. Don’t you think it is possible to “feel” closer to God at those times than others?
I’m interested in your comments to feeling more close to God at certain times than others. Even during periods of spiritual growth, wouldn’t there be Biblical evidence that one might feel that way.
If I’ve made a hermenutical error or there are other passages to consider, please bring these to my attention. I agree that the thought of feelings is used too often and too loosely.
I think the charismatic movement has had a large role in influencing evangelicals to trust their emotions more or even as much as the word of God. Mix in the desire for blessings from God rather than holiness and the post modern mantra of truth is relative and you can see why we are having such problems in the church today.
Erik,
Ditto what Tyler wrote. I would like to read your thoughts on this subject. I used to hear folks say that you get closer to Jesus the more santified you are. And I used to hear people say that they felt the presence of Jesus in worship or in solitude. Is this biblical?
Does scripture trump the audible voice of God? I have met two people who have heard the audible voice of God. One was an 80 year old man, the other was a middle-aged woman. I firmly believe both of them. I have grown up in the church and these are the only two people that I know who have claimed to hear God’s voice, so it isn’t something that I think happens all the time, but I do believe it happens.
What about “feeling” the guidance of the Holy Spirit to talk to someone you see on the street? Did you rush to open your Bible and find out what that feeling meant before talking to that person?
I understand your point about placing too much weight on “feelings,” however, I believe they are there for a reason and shouldn’t be ignored. The Bible talks about the Holy Spirit giving us the words to say or providing us guidance. Do you need to have a Bible verse pop into your head to know that it is the Holy Spirit working in you? These kinds of feelings will never “trump” scripture because they will never deviate from scripture. The Holy spirit’s guidance will ALWAYS be in accordance with scripture, that doesn’t mean he can’t guide without the use of literature (The Bible).
JG: just for reference this post was not about God speaking to Zach Johnson but about him referring to ‘feeling Jesus’ and his ‘grandfather’. My issue is with the climate of subjectivism that has sprouted so many problems within the evangelical landscape, too many times ending in unmet expectations, disappointment and a lack of faith in God.
You bring up another issue and that is God speaking to people. I have some questions…
What does God’s voice sound like?
How do you know it is him?
Why would he communicate to these people?
Where would one put this revelation in relation to Scripture?
How come he doesn’t ‘speak’ to everyone like this?
Where is the precedent in Scripture for ongoing revelation from God as normative feature in the church?
I think you presuppose that folks like me who embrace Sola Scriptura are opposed to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are not. However, I do not go around stamping every feeling or impulse as inspired.
Tyler and Barry,
Would be nice to tackle in a post. Perhaps soon. thanks!
Well
I have certainly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit at times in my life,Actually alot of times, Maybe he did also?
And I agree with the emotion comment except, when the spirit comes into you how can you not!! experience Emotion? How can you not feel the love, the power? And I am not talk Charismatic experience, Im talking prayer time wit others quiet and also alone.
Or maybe Zach was just nervous.
Erik,
I’ll answer the questions that I can.
I don’t know what God’s voice sounds like. They couldn’t describe it.
How do you know it was Him? I personally don’t because it wasn’t me he spoke to, but if He did, how could you NOT know it was Him? The other thing is WHAT was said. The woman I referred to had her husband leave her for another woman and she found herself on her knees by her bed praying to God. She has been a Christian for a while but has always struggled with how to witness to people. There, on her knees, beside her bed, devestated, crying, she prayed to God and asked, “why is this happening to me?” She said that at that moment, she heard God’s voice telling her, “this will be your testimony.” She made it very clear that it wasn’t “like his voice saying,” or “almost as if He said,” she was clear that it was an audible voice that she heard. She was overwhelmed by the Spirit and at that moment, God gave her peace. Since then, she has shared about numerous occassions where co-workers or friends or others have been amazed at how well she has dealt with her husband leaving and how she can not be angry with him. Her response has been to share her faith. This is her testimony. This is what God gave her to share her faith. So, my question is, why would anyone other than God say that? If it wasn’t God, then is it just coincidence that so many opportunities have come her way that she could share her faith in this way?
I’m sorry, I just got a phone call and need to leave, so the rest of the answers will have to wait. I’ll be back.
A couple of things often bother me about conversations that hinge around God speaking to someone, where it seems like it is good practical advice.
1st I can observe someone’s life as a Christian and make a wise observation that is grounded in my knowledge of the Scriptures and pass that onto that person. Does that make me the Holy Spirit? (Sure, my advice or encouragement could be right on the money) Then, wouldn’t it be possible as a Christian to look at my life and make a wise observation about myself? (which my thoughts are telling me – which I might confuse with an audible voice)
2nd I have noticed that I hear inferences to Scripture by people in this conversation to support God speaking in an audible voice. However, I don’t see a direct reference to the Scriptures. If these things are true, shouldn’t I be able to affirm them with the Scriptures?
My understanding on the issue of how God talks and directs the Christian can be found in several passages. I will give you one passage:
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-15
If you are a Christian, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and indwelled by the Spirit. If God is speaking to you (which would be through the Holy Spirit), He is going to guide you into all truth. Therefore, it is not going to ambiguous messages that may be partially true. Also, the Holy Spirit is disclosing what is Jesus Christ’s truth. The Holy Spirit doesn’t have a different message, it is simply the truth of Jesus Christ. In Colossians 3:16, we see that the Word of God is also called the Word of Christ. So, to the Apostles that were responsible for communication this revelation from God into the New Testament, they knew it was going to be all truth that came from Jesus Christ and revealed by the Holy Spirit. To the Christian after the close of the canon (death of the Apostles), we trust that when God is going to speak to us… it will be the Holy Spirit guiding us into the Word of Christ (Scriptures).
The beauty of the subjective experience comes from knowing if God’s Word is being brought to mind.
Just to relay a subjective experience on this: I was in a situation talking with someone, without a Bible in sight, when the conversation became heated. Immediately, my mind was flooded with accertain Scripture. This scripture had everything to do with how I should respond and react to this person. (not scriptures that would be out of context)
Did god speak to me?
I would say yes! He spoke to me by the Holy Spirit guiding me into His Word.
Steve,
thank you.
Erik,
To continue with the questions.
Why would he communicate to these people?
God knows how to get our attention. Some people are attentive enough to listen when He speaks through scripture or when the Holy Spirit guides. Some people need something big to get their attention. God knows each person and knows how best to get through to them. Maybe they needed to hear an actuall voice? I don’t know.
Where would one put this revelation in reference to scripture?
Not sure what you mean, but I do know that there are numerous instances of God talking to people in the Bible. The story of Paul’s conversion even talks about the people with him hearing something.
How come he doesn’t ’speak’ to everyone like this?
Why doesn’t He elect everyone?
Where is the precedent in Scripture for ongoing revelation from God as normative feature in the church?
Who said anything about normative? The audible voice of God is not something that I would classify as normative. If you are simply speaking of any revelation from God, I don’t see where the scriptures say it doesn’t continue on. 1 Chorinthians 13 does not seem to indicate that it would stop with the disciples. It says when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. Now I know in part. Then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. These are said in the same context as the part about toungues and prophesies and knowledge. If perfection has come, where is it? When in Pauls’ life did he know fully?
I agree with you about being cautious and not quick to label any emotion as guidance by the Spirit. I once knew a girl who said, “The Lord told me to do this.” and “the Lord told me to do that,” and just about everything she did, she claimed that the Lord had told her to do it. I’m sure some of her actions were guided by the Holy Spirit, but, like you, I think she probably took every emotion she had and attributed it to The Lord telling her something.
“I can’t help but think if this guy was alive and won a major golfing tournament when the Puritans dominated the religious scene in America that he would have stopped with his mission to glorify God and give him thanks for a victory.”
If he was living in those days brother, he wouldn’t have even been at the tournament as a Christian. The Puritans play golf on a Sunday…are you kidding?? lol – not a chance!
Good thoughts and take on this by the way.
I appreciate your ministry and I agree with you that the church needs a good dose of sola scriptura today. But I also believe we shouldn’t swing to the other extreme of losing the biblical truth that believers enjoy fellowship (experiential) with the living God (1jn1:3). Just one passage col. 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Scripture doesn’t handle every situation and this teaches that we should let the Spirit umpire with His peace. This is more than just Scripture and our minds.
God bless.
John,
Your passage that you used for experiential peace, Col. 3:15 is right before the command to let the Word of Christ (verse 16) live in you. In the context of that passage, the experience of peace comes about by the Word of God permeating someone. It sure seems clear to me that the Holy Spirit works hand in hand with Christ’s Word. I don’t see it as an either – or proposition.
The key to understanding experience must come from God’s Word not our subjective interpretation. Am I saying that God will only comfort our intellect? No!
But, I don’t believe that Scripture affirms that our hearts are to be encouraged and our minds will be uncertain. The Holy Spirit ministers to the Saint in his/her whole being.
thanks steve, im not trying to seperate Christ from His Word but i do believe that there is a subjective aspect in our love relationship with Christ. I like the way Spurgeon puts it “Call it fanaticism if you will, but I trust that there are some of us who know what it is to be always, or generally, under the influence of the Holy Spirit-always in one sense, generally in another. When we have difficulties, we ask the direction of the Holy Spirit. When we do not understand a portion of Holy Scripture, we ask God the Holy Spirit to shine upon us. When we are depressed, the Holy Spirit comforts us.” God Bless