Comments on: place of sports in Christian life

By: Jon S.

Jon S. — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:25:00 +0000

Well I’m glad someone finally said it. My brother in law, who is a pastor in central Georgia, is an extremely die hard Alabama fan. I tease him constantly about it being his “second faith.”
I have mentioned my concerns about American Christianity’s infatuation with sports to several friends and most think I am an extremist. Too bad CT had to be the one to say it. Most of us fundy’s will probably shrug the article off as being neo drivel.

By: ox

ox — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:54:31 +0000

In reply to Matt.

Hi Matt

Well, I certainly acknowledge Paul’s references to sporting events, however, I really doubt that Paul put the kind of emphasis on sports that many do today. I can’t imagine him being too keen on canceling church services in favor of the Super Bowl, or hosting Super Bowl parties at the church. It just doesn’t seem all that godly.

With reference to your term ‘ascetic’… well, I usually think of sleeping on boards (or nails) and hair shirts and the like with the term ascetic. Giving up sports and devoting one’s self to higher pursuits doesn’t seem too ascetic.

A number of years ago a friend of mine told me that he was going to pray that the Lord would take away my love of sports. I was a little shocked at his effrontery, but his prayers must have been effective. Sports have become less and less important since then. They tend to be kinda boring actually.

I still watch occasionally, especially hockey, but it is rare for me to sit through a whole game. I’ve seen it all before. Nothing ever changes.

But maybe I am just showing my age…

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:37:57 +0000

Paul used athletic and olympic events as examples in messages. He obviously understood and enjoyed sporting events and how sports can be used as examples of how to proceed in the Christian life. Just like every area of our life, we can place too much of an emphasis on sports. But to say we would do better to turn our eyes elsewhere seems to be a bit ascetic to me.

By: ox

ox — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:08:57 +0000

In reply to Kent.

Hi Kent

I agree. I thought the CT article was pretty hard hitting for CT.

I was once a member of a church with Al Dark, who managed the A’s to one of their World Series championships. This was long after his baseball days. He still justified it.

Generally, I think sports does seem to be a huge idol for many Christians. We would do better to turn our eyes elsewhere, though I do enjoy a game once in a while. And we have the Olympics coming up here in a week or two… big time idol worship going on!

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

By: Kent

Kent — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:49:50 +0000

Hey Don.

I watch a few games a year on the computer, one of which was the second half of the AFC championship game. When they handed out the trophy to the Colts owner, he praised God. Then the coach proceeded to praise God. I was fine with their praise of God, but I did wonder how that squared with the Colt’s naked cheerleaders as well as NFL football’s domination of the Lord’s Day. I played high school and college football, and there are many lessons that can be learned through athletics that were once learned in other realms of our culture, but I don’t see how a Christian could be a part of professional athletics and be obedient to God.