Sports talk
Asa is back. Asa Chapman, the mountainous All-American nose tackle that was dismissed indefinitely from the Flames football team after news of a felony cocaine charge and misdemeanor marijuana charge just over a month and a half ago.
Chapman’s Sept. 12 court date was postponed until Dec. 7, well after the Flames regular season closer against Stony Brook and in America, you are still innocent until proven guilty, whether you play football or not.
Danny Rocco told media that Chapman had exceeded what was asked of him by Liberty, and was turned in the right direction after a lot of reflection and counseling.
Upon Chapman’s suspension, Liberty offered Chapman mentorship, legal and personal counseling and got him involved in community service.
On top of that, there are other factors that the administration are aware of, but legally are not allowed to disclose to the public.
That’s the hard news of it.
But here’s the bottom line at Liberty: a guy messed up, is sincerely repentant and is on the right road. It’s time to forgive.
It’s easy to want to disagree with Liberty inviting Asa back to the program. From the surface it may look like Liberty is sweeping a felony under the rug. That’s not what this is about, though.
Christians aren’t called to forgive, just when it feels convenient.
No, Christians are called to forgive even when it’s not easy.
Right now, one of Liberty’s own has “fallen by the wayside,” as the pulpit cliché goes. Here’s the decision to make.
Option A is easy. The Pharisee route takes the other side of the road, giving Asa a wide berth. That’s the, “I am pious and have a clean record and don’t have drugs in my car, but he did” route.
Option B is a little messier, but is what Christians are called to do, and if Liberty holds true to its mission, the university is called to forgive.
When someone has been bloodied, bruised and is destitute on the side of the road, are we not supposed to bandage wounds, provide needed care and return as the Samaritan did?
Is it not better for someone trying to find their way to be surrounded by Christians who love and accept them, beyond the faults, beyond the bruises, and shows them a loving Christ?
It’s not pretty. It’s not easy. It’s messy and politically incorrect and controversial. And Christian.
I find it interesting that Christian values do not include being responsible for your actions. It was and is beneficial for the Liberty University Athletic Department to have Asa continue to play. It is Christian to forgive Asa although to do it for the benefit of the football team is indeed questionable. If you truly believe in the Christian way of life, you would forgive Asa, help him correct his ways and hold him responsible for his actions. It appears the Athletic Department has a different set of values.