Duggar Husband Ben Seewald Calls America’s Football Worship ‘Idolatry’
Football season is months away, but that didn’t stop Duggar husband Ben Seewald from taking time out of his Sunday afternoon to warn America that the obsession with football is an act of idolatry, and that God isn’t happy about it. In a nine-tweet-long rant, he complained about the tendency to put sports first and Jesus….somewhere after sports.
Ben opened his impromptu sermon by quoting Pastor Joel Beeke, author of a number of books on faith and the history of Christianity.
“Americans should treat their religion like their sports and their sports like their religion.” -Joel Beeke
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
He then agreed, and elaborated, sharing his own thoughts.
So true…how much time, money, thought and energy do we freely devote to sports?
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
Now think about how little time, money, thought and energy we devote to God and eternal matters.
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
Having shared his own thoughts, Ben told us what God thinks.
The Lord is not pleased. Idolatry. Keep Jesus first.
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
Then threw in a few hashtags.
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
Finally, Seewald shared a few more thoughts, and a directive to his followers to get their priorities in order.
Christ is life–not ball is life.
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
This is coming from a guy who loves football.
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
Let’s check ourselves and make sure our priorities are straight.
— Ben Seewald (@BenSeewald) July 5, 2015
Seewald’s sudden compulsion to tell his followers about the line between enjoying sports and giving up decisions to God, is particularly interesting in its timing: only yesterday, his wife, Jessa, shared a photo on Instagram in which the family hangs around the pool — with her in shorts and a sleeveless top.
https://instagram.com/p/4uZ3gzDfp3/
It’s not an unusual outfit for summer, unless you happen to be a Duggar, or of a similar mindset — the family doesn’t believe women should wear pants or shorts, or bare their shoulders. Ben Seewald’s family is reportedly slightly more liberal, so perhaps Jessa (whose family has said before that they purchase swimwear from WholesomeWear, a seller of full-coverage swimsuits with skirts) is leaning their way. Or maybe she just chose to make comfort, relaxation, and sport a priority for the day.
Of course, her husband doesn’t mention swimming, only “sports” in general, and football specifically, so maybe Ben Seewald’s rant is completely separate from Jessa’s shorts-wearing and arms-bearing at the pool, even if the timing is suspicious.
[Photo Credit: Jessa Seewald Instagram]
