Sports and Play in Christian Theology

(Hardback)

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Sport is a major preoccupation of the modern world. It consumes the time and energies of millions of people around the globe. In fact, for many participants, it operates much like a functional equivalent of religion, giving them a way to interpret and understand the world. Sports stadiums are the cathedrals of our time. Sports stars are the saints or demi-gods through whom we access the transcendent. Members of the sports media serve as religious scribes, and sports fans are the worshiping faithful. What is true of sport is also true, more generally, of play. Nevertheless, and quite remarkably, Christian theologians and religious historians have been surprisingly slow to recognize the spiritual and cultural significance of sport and play, or to engage in the study of these concepts. This book attempts to redress that neglect by integrating sport and play with Christian faith and practice. In Sports and Play in Christian Theology, ten Christian scholars and practitioners explore sport and play from theological, biblical, historical, and pastoral perspectives. This rich collection of wide-ranging reflections and focused case studies will help readers locate sport and play within Christian faith and practice.

Reviews

Until I read this book, I failed to appreciate what a gift God has given us in the gift of amusement, play, and sport. God has created us not only as rational, creative creatures but also as Homo Ludens. This is the best treatment we have on a Christian theology of play, a serious, biblical, vibrantly theological exploration of a joyful human inclination that is a divine gift. Heres a serious theology of fun that is such fun to read.

-- Will Willimon, Duke Divinity School

This is a delightful collection of papers exploring sport and play from a biblical, theological, and historical perspective. Many important matters bubble to the surface identity, nationalism, competition, childhood, winning, losing, excellence, and the other, being a few. The contributions work well together and build a deep and joyful understanding of what it means to be human, while suggesting insightful contours for a flourishing life. This is a book to savor, enjoy and re-read.

-- Brian Harris, Vose Seminary

My writing on the Sabbath draws on the significance of play in a Christian understanding of rest, joy, beauty, and identity. I am delighted that the authors of Sports and Play in Christian Theology go even further in describing the role of play in a faithful and fruitful life. Adding sports into their analysis highlights the important components of teamwork, courage, and physical fitness. In an era when recreation often devolves into mindless entertainment, this volume helps Christians understand what we have to offer to the world and to our faith communities by teaching and living out the value of stopping work for the sake of nurturing the soul through play.

-- Lynne M. Baab, author of Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest

Play is inherent to the very nature of humans (and some animals). Organized sports are of more recent, though still ancient, origin. Both feature in cultures across the world and, as such are unarguably fitting subjects for theological reflection. These essays contribute new perspectives to that reflection. In particular, they bring the South Pacific experience into the conversation. Intriguing insights into theological and biblical aspects of play and identity are balanced by studies of the ways churches have engaged, supported, or challenged sport in Australasia. This is a fresh and significant contribution to and important theological dialogue.

-- Martin Sutherland, former dean of the Australian College of Theology

Author Bio

Philip Halstead lectures in applied theology with a specialty in pastoral care and counseling at Carey Baptist College and Carey Graduate School.

John Tucker is principal of Carey Baptist College.