"Lord, I don't ask that I should win, but please, please don't let me finish behind Akabusi."
Kneeling in the end zone,
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Kneeling in the end zone, Josh Tinley, Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 2009. 157 pages (or 183 including appendices and notes)
The book's subtitle is "Spiritual lessons from the world of sports" and it does so admirably, pointing out similarities between Christian life and sport. In the introduction, the author states that "The book explores ways in which sports illustrate essential principles such as perseverance, humility and redemption. It also uses sports in metaphors, drawing parallels between scriptural stories and memorable tales from the field and court…My hope is that readers will begin to see glimpses of God in the sports they watch and learn something from their favourite athletes about how to live as children of God and disciples of Christ". The author writes as a sports fan for sports fans.
However if you were hoping for any theological reflection on sport or an integrated approach to Bible and sport, you will be disappointed. The book rarely gets above the "object lesson" approach or the simplistic parallels such as the reference to underdogs in sport as David and Goliath or comparing miracles in sport (the unexpected result) and miracles in the Bible. The author seems to have no concept of sport as a ministry.
I like the application of Pascal's wager to following your team – it is better to continue to support them through a dismal period of losses so that you are there if they suddenly start winning, rather than giving up and miss out on that joy.
Chapter four is an analysis of racial issues in US sport but fails to apply the Bible in a practical way – I am reminded of allegations made by Krattenmaker that evangelicals have turned a blind eye to racial discrimination in sport.
Pages 102-5 in a chapter on integrity in sport are excellent, arguing for God's standards of integrity in sport even when they are well above the prevailing standards of sport.
There is a list of inspirational sports films 132-33 and 167-69. I also found the glossary of religiously inspired sports terminology (Page 162ff) useful. Well do you know what a Hail Mary pass is or a why a "Steeplechase" is so called?