Pete Rose is Good for Missions

I can't control myself. I love baseball too much. I know this weblog is supposed to be about missions, but I can't let this pass by. In fact, I am sure the title seems like a stretch, but give me a chance to develop my argument.

I have been reading article after article on the recent Pete Rose book. My favorite article, which I think best analyzes this whole Pete Rose mess, is by George Will - another baseball fanatic. George Will equates this "confession" to Bill Clinton's "confession" in 1998. I think one of the reasons we are seeing such a backlash has something to do with the saying, "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!".

People, Christian and non-Christian, are growing weary of hollow "confessions". People are looking for integrity, for sorrow, for "repentance". Not only do we want someone to say, "I'm sorry", but we want them to say, "I will not do that again." When Bill Clinton "confessed" his adultery, many people were frustrated by his lack of contrition. Now that Pete Rose has "confessed" and shows no sorrow or shame, people are saying enough is enough. I don't think that is a such a bad thing.

I think this shows that in some way, people in our country long for absolutes. They long for being able to say "right is right" and "wrong is wrong". They long to see people live lives of integrity. They want to be able to believe people at their word.

So, in some strange way, or at least in my strange mind, Pete Rose is good for missions. His lack of repentance gives us all a way to discuss the deeper truths of Christ. We have an opportunity to share that "confession is good, repentance is better." When family, friends, and co-workers are discussing broken or difficult relationships, we have opportunity to share the differences of these two vital concepts. We have opportunity to teach our children that when they continue to do something wrong, they need to not only confess their sin, but repent of it.

Thanks Bill and Pete - you have given us good teaching opportunities to share the deeper truths of our Faith!

Comments

[Andrew]

I just set um a missions forum (www.comingstobrazil.com/forum). You are welcome to participate!

[Jim Burchel]

Hey dude...that's harsh... No just kidding. I saw an interview with him and he seemed sincere. Of coarse he was one of my childhood hero's until I realized I wasn't any good at Baseball. I know this has absalutely nothing to do with missions, but you have to let Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame...right?? Grace is a good thing... Anyway...love you guys.... I am reading the blogs regularly!!

[Tim]

Jim,

I think George Will points out (correctly I might add) what the Baseball Writers rules are in regards to casting votes for the Hall of Fame.

``Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.'' The rules for voting by the veterans committee similarly mention ``integrity, sportsmanship, character.''

I have tended in the past to agree that his numbers should make him eligible for the HOF. However, I do not think that Baseball needs to lift its ban. In fact, I would have no problems with him being inducted after he died. That way, his numbers are in there, but he personally does not get to gain from it.

Harsh, maybe, but I am tired of sports and sports heroes acting if things like this are no big deal.

Grace yes. But grace only comes to those who are made aware of their gross sin and confess with their mouth and repent of their ways.