Sport vs. Faith
Football season officially began last
weekend in America and had
begun earlier in England, Spain, Italy, etc. The most popular sport
in America
will once again hit the headlines in sports pages; it will influence work-place
conversations and impact family life. Many Americans love their football and
many love their faith. For some, football is a religion, but for many more,
football and their faith are perfect partners. Some of the most famous and
successful NFL players are men of strong Christian faith. Players like
Aaron Rodgers, Robert Griffith III, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, and of course,
Tim Tebow, are all very devote Christians. Are these two loves at odds?
In the February 4, 2013 Sports
Illustrated Super Bowl issue, Mark Oppenheimer wrote an article entitled, “In The Fields Of The Lord.” There
he mentioned some things that American football teaches the Christian players,
like team work, selflessness, service, stewardship etc. but here I want to talk
generally about what sport should be to Christians, both players and
spectators.
Let me state here that I believe the
Word of God, and 1 Timothy chapter number four verse eight says “for bodily exercise has some value…” no
matter how little or infinitesimal it is, the bible says its okay, for at least
it has some value to participate in sporting activities.
Often times the over exaggerated evils
surrounding sport, as it does many other things, make us not to consider the
blessing that’s in it. Sport itself is not evil, as there are dozen of allusions
and metaphors to it especially in the new testament of the scripture. Sport
teaches us discipline, one thing that’s very scarce today among the youths; it
teaches how be positive in the world of negativity, I wonder how an Arsenal fan
could still stand up and say I believe we will win the league this year, after
eight year of such dreams and hopes; it help us to be healthy physically and
mentally, both spectators and players, all of which are part of Christian
admonitions.
But what is most disconcerting about
Oppenheimer’s article is the shadow truth behind his thesis: Christian football
players are not meek, nice and gentle. The problem is that for too long, many
people have used Christianity to make men less manly. If you are a tough
working guy, a high-achieving Alpha male or a fun-loving adventurer, you can’t
be a real Christ follower according to some. This is why Sports Illustrated had
the Super Bowl cover article proclaim that football and Christianity just don’t
belong together.
Moses, David, Daniel, Peter and Paul
were all true leaders, and tough guys who got things done for God. Jesus’
bold leadership, blunt honesty and strong actions, a typical example of which
is when he cleansed the temple by getting rid of the touts, had Jesus not been
athletic they would have overpowered him, because they did resisted him, these
are some of what drew so many followers to Him and even some expect him to win
back the kingdom for them. Jesus going into the temple and cleansing the
house really showed that, he is no meek and mild man, or how do you expect a
carpenter to look like, without the sophisticated instrument of nowadays?
American football, wrestling, and even
boxing among many others physical sports, appeal to many men because of their
aggressiveness, toughness and risks that are involved. Christianity should
appeals to us for same reasons. I want to be in the battle between good and
evil; I want to fight for what is right, and enjoy the challenge of doing it.
Sport did not unmake me as a Christian; it made me a better one as it has done
for hundreds of thousands of other men.
The major danger in sport is it taking
the place of God in our lives, like many other things. But as a Christian two
things must be settled in our heart as a sport man or lover, my sport must not be at the expense of God
or His worship; two, either I and or my team win or lose, God must be glorified
as the scriptures says! Wish everyone will see the film, “facing the Giants” a film that help me
realize God can be seen on the field.
Concluding this write-up, I want to
acknowledge that some great Christians were also discovered on the field of
sport, three of wish I want to mention here. I respect the Brazilian football
player Ricardo Kaka, who is bold enough to announce to the whole world during
the UEFA championship since 2008 that I belongs
to Jesus which was boldly printed on his inner wear, not excluding the
fact that he marry as a virgin! Another is Allyson Felix, the woman adjudged to
be the fastest woman in the world around 2007, she declared, “my
speed is a gift from God, I run for his glory…”
lastly I would like to
mention Mariano Rivera, as a baseball player, he was often seen reading his
bible both before and after games. He loves Philippians 4:13 and he have it
imprinted on his glove, “I can do all Things through Christ which
strengthens me!”[1]
 |
| Mariano Rivera |
Sport don’t make me
less a Christian, it isn’t my god, it only gives me drive to aim at the
ultimate prize, not any how, but sportingly!
[1] Alabi, Samuel
A. (2013), winning the world through
sports: the role of the Church Ibadan:
Abbey business concept. Pp 48-51
Your views are most welcome...
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