God and the Super Bowl

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God and the Super Bowl

Nine years ago I made it into the big time. I got quoted in Sports Illustrated. In January 1998 that magazine did a cover story on the question of whether God cares who wins the Super Bowl. Several of us in the theological world were interviewed, but at a key point I was pitted against the Packers’ Reggie White. He insisted that God loves winners, and I took a different view. I do believe, I said, that God cares about the Super Bowl. And certainly, as a Calvinist, I believe that God has predestined the outcome–I did tell the reporter that, but the SI people chose not to quote me on that particular point, probably because they knew that Reggie White, as an Arminian, would come after me! But God’s main interest in the Super Bowl, I said, had to do with the actualization of created talent. God likes it when people cultivate the sorts of capacities and abilities that he has invested in the creation. Even more, God takes delight when certain important virtues–fair play, discipline, an energetic-yet-kind competitiveness, and the like–are on prominent display.

That SI piece skimmed lightly over some important theological points. There is a lot more to be explored regarding God’s attitude towared competitive exercises. “Competition” is a bad word in some circles, but I am convinced that a certain kind of competition can be a way of fulfilling God’s creating purposes. Here is an interesting question, for example: Might Adam and Eve have played chess in their unfallen condition? I like to think that it would have been a good way to spend some of their time in the Garden. As human creatures whose chief aim it was to glorify God and to enjoy him forever, I think they could have competed in a way that pleased their Maker. Playing chess would have been a way of matching wits, of accepting the mutual challenge to devise winning strategies. As unfallen persons, they would not want to humiliate each other–instead they would want to use the abilities of the other person as a challenge to cultivate their own capactity for problem-solving.

Amid all of the commercialism and hype of this weekend’s Super Bowl, there will be a core of basic atheltic prowess on display. If it is displayed well, I think God will be pleased. And I do think that the Maker of heaven and earth takes special delight this time around in the expressed attitudes of the two coaches. Each has made a point of talking about the faith they share as Christian friends. And each has said that while he hopes for a win, there is much more at stake than simply claiming a victory over the other team. Even though I am convinced God already knows the outcome, I believe that he will be watching the game this weekend–on his own day of rest!–with great interest.

6 Comments »

  1. Go Colts! Go Bears! Go football!

    Comment by Jeff — January 29, 2007 @ 11:44 am


  2. Given that Chess is predicated on the death of a King, I’m guessing that it wouldn’t have been possible in an “unfallen condition.” How about checkers?

    Comment by Mark Baker-Wright — January 29, 2007 @ 12:55 pm


  3. I some how have had very special tie with football over the years. During college years, I swept the Sun Devil Stadium several times a year as part of youth ministry activity for church. I got free tickets to watch the game and enjoyed the hot dogs, the most delicious food in the whole wide world. Then I was in a relationship with a man who was the vice chair for the local organization which promotes and manages Fiesta Ball each year. I had opportunity to join him of hosting couple of Heisman Trophy’s winners and their wives. I remembered that I once cheered and prayed for Oregon team, the under dog, and the team won the miraculous victory over a giant rival. I believe that God loves football too and He definitely wants us to enjoy and take delight in such healthy and inspiring family oriented sport. And don’t forget to enjoy the most delicioues food–Hot dogs.

    Comment by lauren luo — January 29, 2007 @ 10:40 pm


  4. You’ve got to be kidding! God doesn’t care about American football!

    It’s SOCCER that He’s watching! :-)

    Comment by D — January 29, 2007 @ 11:29 pm


  5. I believe D means God is watching Futbol

    Comment by K — January 30, 2007 @ 5:53 pm


  6. Go Bears, Dr. Mouw! I’m assuming that’s who has been predestined!

    Comment by Janice Ryder — January 31, 2007 @ 12:24 am

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