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Character and Sports |
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These are links to articles and essays which appear elsewhere on the Internet. This material is NOT on our website. Because the Academy lists material from other websites on the Internet does not imply acceptance or approval of the comments or opinions expressed by the author of the material. Nor is the Academy responsible for any misrepresentation of the facts included. It is your job to be a critical reader. Posted on September 13, 2006 Introduction and resources provided by Leadership University As the Fall sports season begins, televisions are once again tuning in to NFL games. Soon all eyes will be on Major League Baseball's playoffs and World Series. While sports and sports franchising continue to be a huge part of our culture, more and more fans are becoming disillusioned with the allegations of steriod or drug use to enhance performance in pro sports. American Floyd Landis' Tour de France win and the cloud of doping allegations that haunts him is just one of the most recent examples. Earlier in the year, more than half of MLB fans polled thought that the league was not doing enough to curb steriod use, and many had questions about Barry Bonds, who continued to fight off allegations of drug enhancement. Why is it that athletes in the spotlight are so tempted to jettison integrity? Just what is a Christian view of sport, and how is playing sports related to Christ, integrity and character? The classic articles below explore these timeless topics. Classic Articles The Games We Play, by Jerry Solomon: Game-playing and competition can and should be seen as a healthy part of a life that seeks to glorify God in all things. This essay covers the following topics: Games and a Christian World View; A Brief History of Games; Games and the New Testament; Contemporary Views of Games; and Christians in a Competitive World. Out of Control - Obnoxious Little League Parents, by Chuck Colson: A few weeks ago, Michael Costin was supervising practice for his 10-year-old son's hockey team just north of Boston. During the practice, another parent, Thomas Junta, became upset at how his son was being treated. What happened next is a sign of where our culture's attitudes about parenting can lead. Where Have All Our Heroes Gone?, by Ray Cotton: We all have a need for heroes. But where do we find them in the world today? First of all, we must determine what key element determines heroism. The author chooses personal character, rather than superior performance, as the main ingredient. Heart of An Olympian, by Michelle Akers: She helped lead the U.S. team to victory in the 1991 World Championship by scoring ten goals in only six games. She helped lead her team to Olympic Gold in 1996. In 2004 she was selected by FIFA, the international soccer organization, as one of only 2 women in the top 100 living players of the century. But while many call her the greatest women's soccer player ever, you won't have to read much of Michelle's compelling story to realize that for her, there is more to life than soccer (opens on a separate site). The Weird World of Sports, by James Nuechterlein: Nuechterlein: "A life lived in a sports bar is a life ill spent. But for the great majority of us, sports provides a pleasurable interlude in life for which we not only need not repent, but for which we should offer continuing prayers of gratitude." Related Articles Knighthood and Biblical Manhood, by Lou Whitworth: Actually, we are more indebted to the knightly virtue of chivalry than we realize. Many of the concepts and words have become part of our familiar vocabulary. It is from chivalry, for example, that we acquired the concept of the gentleman (notice the dual stress here--gentle-man) and our concepts of sportsmanship and fair play. It is perhaps no accident that the decline in chivalry parallels the rise of taunting and the "win at any price" attitude among our sports figures. Character Deficiency Syndrome, by Garry D. Nation: What causes character defects? Contemporary answers to this query usually suggest "disease" or "dysfunction" as the root cause for violence and other problems. The Bible offers a different answer. In particular, the Old Testament differentiates four stages of moral depravity. Integrity - What's the Price?, by Patrick Morley: True moral character is revealed when one is alone. Integrity, which manifests itself through honesty, is the key to good character.
Christian Leadership Ministries has created a Resource Center to help you find resources for ministry. Browse our growing collection of books, Bible studies, videos and other resources offered for the purpose of encouraging you in your spiritual growth and ministry. Items published by Campus Crusade for Christ, NavPress, InterVarsity Press and many others, as well as those created and published specifically for the Christian professor, are made available for your selection. Every effort is made to serve you by providing proven resources at competitive prices. Resource Center. The place to buy ministry materials. All material within this frame is © 1995-2006 by Leadership University. All rights reserved. |
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