Vol. 2 No. 1, April 2025

Faith and Fellowship: Exploring the intersection of Christianity and Sports

Kuponu Selome, PhD & Alao, Damilare Samuel

Abstract

The relationship between Christianity and sports goes beyond mere physical competition, delving into the realms of faith, community, and personal growth. The paper investigates how Christian principles and values intersect with the world of sport, examining the profound impact their faith can have on athletes, coaches and the communities alike. The paper also examines how sports serve as a platform for athletes to express and integrate their faith, often leading to enhanced mental resilience, ethical decision-making, and a sense of purpose both in and off the field. The qualitative paper will adopt comprehensive analysis of core studies, interviews, and scholarly research. This explanation sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between Christianity and sport, emphasizing how this intersection can improve individual, strengthen community and deepen spiritual connection.

Keywords

Christianity, Christian principles, sport, athletes, mental resilience

Full Text

Download

References

Adogame, A., Watson, N. and Parker, A. (2018). Global perspectives on sports and Christianity. London: Routledge.
Chung, Y., (2015) “A postcolonial reading of the Great Commission (Matt 28:16–20) with a Korean myth” Theology Today,
72(3), https://doi.org/10.1177/ 0040573615601466.
Eitzen, D.S. and Sage, G.H. (1997) Sociology of North American Sport. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Encyclopedea, “Sports and Religion” Cenage, https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-
transcripts-and-maps/sports-and-religion, retrieved 16 September 202.

Eusebius Pamphilus. “The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, In Four Books, From 306 to 337 A D.” London: Samuel
Bagster and Sons, https://books.google.com, Chap XXX.
Fanning, D. (2011) “The Great Commission”, Journal of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 1(1).
Jona, I.N. and Okou, F.T. (2013) “Sports and Religion” Asian Journal of Management Sciences and Education, ISSN: 2186-
845, Vol. 2. No. 1.
Jambrek, S., (2016) “The Great Commission in the context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia in the second part of the
twentieth century”, Kairos: Evangelical Journal of Theology, 2(2).
Jeroh E.J. (2008). Sport as a Veritable Tool for Economic Empowerment and Elimination of Youth restiveness in the Niger
Delta Region of Nigeria. Int. J. Sports Sci. Eng., 2(1): 62 – 64.
Johnson, T. M., (2010) “Globalization, Christian identity and frontier missions” International Journal of Frontier Missiology,
27(4).
Kgatle, M.S., (2018) “Globalization of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20)”, In die Skriflig 52(1),
a2346. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids. v52i1.2346.
Null, A. (2008). Finding the Right Place: Professional Sport as a Christian Vocation. In The Image of God in the Human
Body: Essays on Christianity and Sports. Lampeter: The Edwin Mellen Press.