A brief theology of sport
By: Lincoln Harvey
Edition: First US edition.
Publisher: Cascade Books
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Eugene, Oregon
Language: eng
Number of pages: 130
ISBN-13: 9781625646170
Subjects: Moral and ethical aspects; Christianity; Sports; Religious aspects; History
Description: Sport is extremely popular. This groundbreaking book explains why. It shows that sport has everything to do with our deepest identity. It is where we resonate with the most basic nature of reality. ''A Brief Theology of Sport'' sweeps across the fields of church history, philosophy, and Christian doctrine to draw readers into a creative vision of sport. The book begins by examining how the church has historically approached sport before turning to consider sport on the basis of the divine act of creation. In doing so, Harvey is able to distinguish sport from all other human activities by identifying it as a set-aside sphere in which the unnecessary-but-meaningful nature of life is celebrated. Harvey's constructive proposal sheds light on a wide range of issues, including the role of competition, professionalization, and celebrity culture in sport today. As such, ''A Brief Theology of Sport'' makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the value of sport to human life.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Table of contents: title: A question of sport; title: Historical soundings: Ancient sports and religion; title: Classical sports and religion; title: The early church's view of sport; title: Case study: Sport and the medieval Catholic church; title: Sports, Puritans and muscular Christians; title: Analytic soundings: Notes on sport: A working definition; title: Towards a Christian theology of sport; title: The liturgical celebration of contingency: A brief theology of sport; title: Exploration and explanation: Seven avenues for further thought; title: Concluding comments: Christians and sports today.