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The Reason for Sports
- 09/18/09
- 15
I have always found it difficult to think about sports in a distinctly Christian way. I love sports (mostly watching, occasionally playing) and want to be able to enjoy fandom guilt-free. But every now and then, when I look at another of the sports scandals or when I hear of the lives of athletes, I wonder if professional sports really is a worthwhile pastime for the Christian. By our participation as fans are we contributing to the sometimes-shocking lack of morality, to the building of massive egos, to the idolatry of the athlete? How should we, as Christians, think about these things? Christians tend toward two extremes, I think, either writing off professional athletics altogether or embracing them with unblinking acceptance. Yet I’m convinced that neither extreme is helpful. It was with interest, then, that I picked up Ted Kluck’s The Reason for Sports (you may know Kluck from his books co-written with Kevin DeYoung, Why We’re Not Emergent and Why We Love the Church).
The Reason for Sports is “A Christian Fanifesto,” according to the subtitle, a series of essays on the subject. So it is not a cohesive A-Z kind of look at the topic and neither is it an apologetic for professional sports. Instead, it is a book that moves from one topic to the next, often based around articles that have been expanded from ones first printed at ESPN or elsewhere. Thus the strength of the book is not so much in the book as a whole, but in the scope of the topics it covers. Those topics include apologies (something athletes seem to have endless opportunities to practice, though few get it right), steroids and performance enhancing drugs, honest and dishonesty, pride and humility, the emptiness that the most popular athletes may feel even when at the top of their game, sports in popular film and the often perilous link between sports and sexuality. Like I said, this is a book with a broad scope!
Kluck writes from a near-insider’s perspective, having played semipro football (Arena League), having trained with pro athletes and having spent many years as a journalist in the field. The back cover says the book offers an “irreverent and contrarian look at the world of sports.” And I guess that about says it. It’s not that he is irreverent in his view toward God, but more toward sports in general. He tries to forgo easy answers in favor of thoughtful ones. And often his answers cut across the grain, so to speak.
If there is such thing as a theology of sports (and I’m sure there must be) this book is a good place to at least begin developing one. Its nature as a book of essays means that the reader will not walk away with a thorough theology, but he will still have a lot to think about as he attempts to integrate sports and faith. I can’t imagine the book will appeal much to those who care little for sports, but for the fan, this book will prove a light and enjoyable read.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (15)
So glad I decided to publish my review of this book the same day as you. I’m sure I’ll get tons of readers now…:)
Anyway, I agree with you on the book. I enjoyed the wide-ranging topics. Ted doesn’t try to provide a thorough analysis of each one, but he at least provides a good lens to think through the issues. I really enjoyed his writing style, though, and I think this is a great starter for Christians attempting to formulate their theology when it comes to sports.
I’m sure the book is great, but it strikes me as a little…uh…navel-gazing. Watching and playing sports is fun. Athletes aren’t gods, shouldn’t be treated as gods, and are fallen human beings just like the rest of us. Is there really that much more to it?
Side note: while idolatry is never good, some of the awe with which “normal people” regard phenomenal athletes is, in my opinion, completely reasonable and warranted. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Some of us more than others. When I see an athlete do something incredible, I don’t think it’s wrong to be duly impressed.
On one hand, I can’t believe that we’re talking about the theology of sports! On the other hand, as a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs (insert bad joke here), I get nearly depressed almost every weekend. Looking into the issue might help me a great deal. Thank you for the tip and the nice review.
This may be an interesting book, but I’m hesitant if it will be a “light and enjoyable read” for the fan rather than challenging.
There is an unhealthy imbalance towards pro athletes in this country and in our churches. Some (many?) parents are prone to show their children community on ball fields more so than in their local church families.
Think. How many church gatherings have children or adults missed for sporting events? How many sporting events have children or adults missed for church gatherings?
The juxtaposition of this book review and an a la carte item about David Robinson’s acceptance speech is interesting. I do not follow the NBA, but I did listen to Robinson’s 7 min 45 sec speech, and it is an incredible testimony to the Spirit of God living in (and, I suspect, ministering through) a very humble man. He has an amazing commitment to and love for his wife and three sons, and clearly an informed faith that he can express well. I recommend it to all.
The speech is here:http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2009/09/11/nba_20090911_hof_robinson_speech.nba/
Voddie Baucham’s article on the the Jordan v. Robinson acceptance speeches is very good. I posted a link to it and a few more resources (in addition to Kluck’s new book) on my bloghttp://www.ecrosstexas.com/blog/2009/jordan-robinson-sports-christianity
In a similar vein, I recommend Stephen Altrogge’s “Game Day for the Glory of God” by Crossway, available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Game-Day-Glory-God-Athletes/dp/1433501392
I’ve been waiting for a review on this one. Sounds like it’s geared to a north american audience.
Man made in the image of God. I wonder where and when man started inventing competitive games and adopted a competitive spirit. Christ didn’t condemn the concept of competitiveness nor Paul. Paul used the culture of the day in his teaching about running the race. Exercise profiteth a little…
But … I find myself very competitive and wonder why? Why - is it part of my fallen nature that is undergoing transformation and a renewing of the mind? I enjoy my chosen sport (cycling)and the competitiveness and sportsmanship, the fellowship of like minded people. I recognise the growth in technologies and nutrition that goes with it. etc etc. But somewhere in the back of my mind is - why bother with the competition? Why not just ride for pleasure? But - I do get pleasure and have fun in competing. I recognise winners and losers (been at both ends), recognize the God given abilities of others, and the awesome bodies God has created for us…
Somehow it doesn’t sound like this book will answer my questions.
Hey - what about the ‘sport’ of horse racing?
I don’t mean to be this random, bu I vote for more free stuff Fridays….db
On the subject of competitiveness, I wonder if there would be any progress of anything without competitiveness? Necessity may be the mother of invention, but competitiveness could easily be the father of better quality invention.
You said that one extreme is to write off professional athletes altogether, but that this is not helpful.
In what way is it not helpful to write off professional athletes or sports altogether? I realize that many enjoy sports, and I don’t believe that it is harmful for them to do so. But a person or family can be well adjusted and well rounded while having absolutely nothing to do with sports.
On the subject of competitiveness which Renee has introduced an essay I came across makes for interesting reading but no conclusions considering the wide range of opinions that float around christian circles.
Perspectives on Competition - Christian and Otherwise: http://www.cbfa.org/Johnson_Smith.pdf
If all of life is worship - we’re does competitiveness come into it - or is it just another example of man in rebellion and city building?
To add to my own and hopefully you reflection of this issue - here is another paper published by Calvin College:
FOUNDATIONAL THOUGHTS ON A CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY of PLAY, SPORTS, AND ATHLETICS
http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/pivot/some_foundational_thoughts_on_a_christian_philosophy/
Here’s another:http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/pivot/sport_and_idolatry/Julie Walton, Ph.D.Calvin College
I just finished a frustratingly familiar talk with a colleague about sport and our apathetic response as Christians. While I watched in dismay from home, he actually attended the UM-Oregon football game (debacle, I would call it) where, for a second week in a row, the party-hearty folks in the Big House found nothing worth celebrating. My friend decried the worship of the game, the millions of misdirected dollars, the wasted energy and resources poured into a 3 hour, Saturday afternoon spectacle. What if all that money- (spent on RV’s for tailgating, Lexus cars for getting to the game, on tickets, and Go Blue sweatshirts, and uniforms for a hundred fellows who will never play a single down, not to mention on obscene coaching salaries (far above the average professor’s)- for heaven’s sake, what if all that was instead directed to needy people, neighborhoods, and schools? When I saw fields of white from pom pom waving fanatics on Saturday in Happy Valley, I truly ached that nowhere on earth do we ever see such enthusiasm and energy and adoration for Christ. Well, I guess when football is one’s god, it’s easy to be let down, led in and out of strange ecstasies like a sad, worn-out crack addict, and left holding an expired ticket to heaven. Christians! It’s not sport that’s run amok, it’s us! It’s time we began speaking out. It’s time we returned sport to its proper place of play- where we delight in God’s company as we strive, with teammates and WITH our opponents, to play and delight in each other, in God, and in the play itself. If we are to get it right, we must put first things first, and that means shunning the modern-day farce of sport, and helping our athletes and coaches and fans focus on using play and sport to delight in God. :lol:
I stopped watching professional millionaires play games many years ago. I would start watching games again when they change the rules so that only the winning team gets paid. That would be exciting!
I do enjoy college sports. Go HOGS!
Is it easier to appear humble and thankful when you have an eight million dollar a year contract or an eight dollar an hour job? It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven UNLESS you live in North America and play for the NFL or the NBA.