Sport and Christianity

Matt Hoven is Associate Professor of Religion and Education and the Peter and Doris Kule Lecturer at St. Joseph's College, University of Alberta, Canada.Andrew Parker is Professor of Sport and Christian Outreach at University of Gloucestershire, UK.Nick J. Watson is Chief Operating Officer of the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, UK.

• Notes on ContrtibutorsForeword - Tony Campolo, Eastern University, USAIntroduction - Matt Hoven, St. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta, Canada; Andrew Parker. University of Gloucestershire, UK, and Nick J. Watson, The Archbishop of York Youth Trust, UKPart One: Sport and Christianity: Practices for the Mind1. How Might A Theology Of Play Inform A Theology Of Sport? - Robert K. Johnston, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA2. The Paradoxical Athlete: Chesterton on Play and Work - Scott Kretchmar, Penn State University, USA and Nick J. Watson, The Archbishop of York Youth Trust, UK3. Creation, Salvation, Competition: Elements in a Christian Doctrine of Sport - Robert Ellis, University of Oxford, UK4. Flow, Sport and Spiritual Traditions - Patrick Kelly, SJ, Seattle University, USA5. Historical Relationship between Sport and Christianity - Andrew R. Meyer, Baylor University, USAPart Two: Sport and Christianity: Practices for the Heart and Soul6. Lived Religion in Sports - Matt Hoven, St. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta, Canada7. Running as Liturgy - Doug Hochstetler, Penn State University, USA8. Athletics as Sacrificial Offering - Lillie K. Rodgers, University of Wyoming,USA and F. Clark Power, University of Notre Dame, USA9. Integrating Faith: Sport Psychology for Christian Athletes and Coaches - Trevor J. Egli, at Johnson University, USA and Matt Hoven, St. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta, CanadaPart Three: Sport and Christianity: Practices for the Moral Life10. Servant Leadership and Sports Coaching - Don Vinson, University of Worcester, UK and Andrew Parker, University of Gloucestershire, UK11. Sport, Envy, and the Conundrum of Comparison - Brian R. Bolt, Calvin College, USA and Chad Carlson, Hope College, USA12. Ordo Amoris: The Essence of Christian Wisdom for Sport - Mark Hamilton, Ashland University, USA13. Sports in the Service of Self-Knowledge - Ed Hastings, Villanova University, USAConclusion - Matt Hoven, St. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta, Canada; Andrew Parker. University of Gloucestershire, UK, and Nick J. Watson, The Archbishop of York Youth Trust, UK

In the Christian world since St. Paul, and in the pagan world even earlier, people have engaged in sports in manners that reflect and further ingrain their beliefs in answers to ultimate questions. In Sport and Christianity: Practices for the Twenty-First Century, Hoven, Parker and Watson seize an opportune moment - given increasing emphasis on sport as well increased scholarly attention to practices and other non-explicitly religious "liturgies" - to analyze this perennial connection afresh. Similar to how many Christians have used discussion of sexuality as an entry point into Christian faith, Christianity and Sport will reward reading not only by scholars but also by a broader audience who may be surprised at just how "religious" they are.