I found an interesting article in the New York Times this week. David Brooks, using the rise of Jeremy Lin as an example, argues that there is a contradiction between the values of sports and Christian values. He argues that sports values are courage, pride, self-exultation, and win at all costs, while Christian values are humility, self-denial, others-centeredness, and gentleness.
You can read the article here. What do you think? Can a sold out Christian achieve greatness in sports, while not compromising his or her Christian values?
- Durham
9 comments:
Off the cuff - yes. I mean wasn't there a Centurion at the top of his game that came to Christ. Afterwards, we here nothing about him changing careers. It had gone to a level of greatness but did learn it was nothing compared to the greatness of knowing JESUS. I get what Brooks is saying but what he's saying can be said of any field of work like ministry for instance. You know, that's where Paul said some peoples reason for ministry is self serving when the gospel is preach and for others it isn't. It's about "heart" "attitude" "serving Him" in any field of endeavor inside a moral boundary.
Jerry,
I think you are absolutely right. You could apply his same logic to any field or profession. We wouldn't tell a CEO of a company to resign when he becomes a Christian because of the competitiveness of the job. We would tell him to continue to be a CEO, but to lead in a way that glorifies God.
Appreciate your comments,
TDurham
Is there any truth in what the columnist wrote? Yes. And I think any Christian can achieve greatness in sports. But not any professional sportsman can make a good Christian.
To see why, we must divulge into what entails being a professional sportsman. Exactly what compels sports’ greatness - great physical ability – a competitive attitude – money – the excitement of the game? What goes along with such attitudes? The article is very clear, but – let’s see what the BIBLE says on the matter.
The Bible really does not condemn sports. It even compares our Christian career to that of a marathon runner. However, Paul appropriately referred to this merely to illustrate the importance for Christians to have such qualities as self-control and endurance. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) As so, there are Biblical principles and then there is what is associated with sports – specifically modern professional sports – that can disrupt and oppose Christian principles.
The fact is, many professional players, in the environment to which they are exposed, drink excessively and engaged in adultery, and a Christian can begin to be seriously influenced by all of this. Youths today look up to sports stars as their heroes, and it is really sad that increasing numbers of these stars are bad examples when it comes to use of tobacco, excessive use of alcohol, swearing and bad language, misuse of drugs, and immoral conduct. Even if the situation in the sports world is not any worse than in other segments of society, it is the example of sports stars that has a great impact on youths. So there are moral dangers involved in pursuing a career in professional sports for a true Christian.
In 1 Timothy 4: 7,8, the Bible shows that “bodily training,” such as we get in sports, has its place. It can help us to develop physical coordination, flexibility, muscle tone and strength.
But note the caution, “bodily training is beneficial for a little (or) [little profit].” What can happen if such Bible advice is ignored and you become totally absorbed in sports?
For one thing, it can spoil the fun, making sports “serious business” rather than a welcome recreation. Pointing to the effects of overstressing competitive games, sports psychologist Bruce Ogilvie said: “I once interviewed the rookies in 10 major league baseball camps and 87 percent of them said they wished they’d never played Little League baseball because it took the joy out of what had been a fun game.” Also, some sports, such as football, can be dangerous. What has made some sports so dangerous is the extreme competitiveness—the win-at-all-costs attitude—that is often encouraged.
Many equate a good sports performance with being a worthwhile human being. This misconception “can lead to arrogance, or to frustration, or to other troublesome attitudes” according to Dr. James P. Comer. Galatians 5: 25,26 states this “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another” – another version says “Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another”, yet another call it “paltry competitions”. Did God make exceptions for professional sports here? Hardly.
The article noted “The moral universe of modern sport is oriented around victory and supremacy. The sports hero tries to perform great deeds in order to win glory and fame. It doesn’t really matter whether he has good intentions. His job is to beat his opponents and avoid the oblivion that goes with defeat.”
Albeit a general sports statement, to really respond to that statement, we must ask ourselves basic and scriptural questions:
Does the praise of a touchdown or homerun really go to Jesus and God? Or does it center on the sportsman’s ability, stats, team effort, coaching ability, and even a bigger paycheck? Do we really hear the news media, team owners, and sponsors, and fans saying “Tebow is a great player because Jesus!” Most likely not, as they center on his proficiency, not his spirituality. We only hear Christians saying that to one another in an effort to associate any ‘worldly’ greatness that a Christian makes to God. But in James 4:4 – God doesn’t need or want ‘worldly’ greatness or sports events fervor and pride associated to him, does he?
Some may argue praying in a stadium does give credit to the spirit. But what exactly does the ‘act’ of sports victories have to do with God’s word and His Spirit? The Bible states that God’s word is “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness”, not for winning competitions. (2 Timothy 3:16). Also, the Spirit only operates in those that are working in harmony and to further God’s will – that is, to bring about His Kingdom under Jesus Christ. Jesus himself used this spirit, not for gain – but for inner and spiritual strength – Mark 1: 12, 13
The Apostles were good at their secular work/business. Was it due to God’s spirit? No, they were good at it before they met the Christ. Did any of the Apostles ask for Holy Spirit to improve or succeed in their secular work afterwards? No. They used it for its intended purpose – to further the will of GOD. Likewise, would asking for His Spirit to win a sports competition fall in line with God’s purpose on earth?
Or rather, does it lead to a showy display being more important that the content of our prayers? Christ had answered that already, long before Tebowing became the next great Christian fad, in Matthew 6:6, 7 when he said “But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly”.
Philippians 2:3 tells us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”. Do professional sports really help us to follow these Christian values, or do they foment the opposite – as are the “works of the flesh…loose conduct, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, envies, revelries, and things like these.” - Galatians 5:19-21
For Christians, physical achievement is of very limited worth. Spiritual qualities of “the secret person of the heart” are what make us beautiful in God’s eyes. (1 Peter 3:3, 4) We recognize that not all who take part in sports today have a fierce competitive spirit, but many do. Will association with them help us to follow the Scriptural exhortation to ‘do nothing out of contentiousness, or out of egotism, but to have lowliness of mind?’ Sure many Sportsman and Executives do good deeds – but again, is it for God’s glory – or for their personal reputation, company or team praise, or with a “form of godly devotion but proving false to its power”? – Galatians 3:5
Many modern contact sports have a potential for violence. Anyone attracted to such sports does well to remember the words of Psalm 11:5: “God himself examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one, and anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates.”
In its right place, sports can be enjoyable, and the apostle Paul did say that “bodily training is beneficial for a little.” The goal Paul was striving to attain, above all else, was that of receiving the God-given “crown” of everlasting life. In that, he set an example for us and professional sports players.
Sorry for all postings! I finally got the hang of it!
I really enjoyed this topic.
By the way, my sport was Rugby. I enjoyed that sport so much that I ended up in New Zealand on the Wellington league. We played Boston’s RC’s and Baltimore-Chesapeake’s in the US. My experience was much like my friend, Dave from the Oakland Raiders, whom began to appreciate the teachings of God’s Word, and he decided to give up his lucrative football career. Representatives of the Raiders visited him to try to change his mind. He told them, “what my associations in those circles had resulted in—use of drugs, loose living, an arrogant, proud disposition - That whole life-style connected with professional football, would interfere with the Christian life I now wanted to lead.”
Thank you for reading and creating this blog!
A few comments.... I believe when Tim tebow "tebows" he is simply worshipping his Lord, and couldn't care less who's watching. I also believe Mathew 6 is speaking of the hypocrite and not to the genuine. What difference does it make what arena a genuine prayer comes from. If doing it for the public to see then, okay, I see your point. If doing it to offer praise to a God that is more than deserving of our praise at any time... Then I see nothing wrong. In short, I would say that this argument has to be dependent on the persons heart doing the praising. We can dissect scripture til we're blue in the face but when it comes down to it if a person feels the need to worship our incredible Savior that is Jesus, who am I to say what that persons true motives are? And who am I to say when that person can do it? I could take this on so many different directions .........and, having a real hard time believing this 87% number of rookies wishing they never played.... Just sayin
Thanks though for a great discussion
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