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/R-cover/without%20spine/9781575673653.jpg "The Reason For Sports: A Christian Fanifesto")
Not only will you be entertained as you read this book, but also you will be trained to think Christianly about many of today's most pertinent issues in sports.
"There are plenty of books about Christian athletes, and plenty of books by Christian superstars. But there is precious little writing on sports from a Christian perspective. It's amazing really. Americans are obsessed with sports, especially men, and yet Christians haven't done much to reflect on the good and bad of sports. That's why I love Ted's writing. He knows sports. He's played sports. He's done real sports reporting. And he's a strong Christian who knows how to write."
Book review by Kevin DeYoung on TheGospelCoalition.com
A Short Excerpt from Ted's Introduction:
Sports are a huge part of the lives of American men, including church men. Our churches have informal basketball, golf, and softball leagues. Guys talk about sports in the church lobby. Yet with all the books teaching us how to worship with our marriage, our money, our "quiet times," and our sex lives, little is written about the subject that drives most of our banter with each other and around which much of our free time revolves.
How do we worship God with this part of our lives? How do sports help us to grow in sanctification? How do we think theologically about the myriad of moral dilemmas in sports?
On the pages that follow, hopefully, you'll be able to enjoy sports with me as I try to find the good in a sports world that at times has gone bad. I'm not going to try to convince you that Mike Tyson or Ricky Williams should be your spiritual guide, or that you shouldn't cheer for Mike Vick because he drowns puppies, or that you should cheer for all American QB Tim Tebow because he etches a Bible verse on his eye-black before every game. I'll let you draw your own conclusions about all of these people. But I'll invite you to begin formulating your own theology of sports with me.
This is not your normal sports book. Nor is it your normal Christian book. Here's to some abnormal reading then for those seeking a different point of view.
-Kenny Mayne, ESPN sports journalist
Ted Kluck helps us think about sports Christianly without the Christian clichés and worn-out sports piety. He's an athlete and a fan whose writing implicitly reminds us why God created sports: for the joy of play.
-Mark Galli, Senior managing editor, Christianity Today
Ted Kluck is passionate about sports. He's even more passionate about the gospel. You won't read any athletic rags-to-riches stories or find any cheesy quotes about 'leaving 100% on the field' in The Reason for Sports. Instead, you'll find insights into God, the gospel, and the sometimes crazy, sometimes wonderful world of sports.
-Stephen Altrogge, Author of Game Day for the Glory of God
Ted makes it clear that while we do love our sports, the only real sports joy is found when honoring Jesus Christ. With much humor and much love, Ted gives enlightening and biting perspective on the athletes and events we remember most. What a treat to be convicted of our own idolotry of sports and, at the same time, laugh out loud! How can you not embrace a book that quotes both Allen Iverson and J. C. Ryle? Not a lot of sports guys reference 19th century evangelicals. (Ryle, that is . . . not Iverson.)
-David Stein, Host, Sporting News Radio Network
Most Christian books on sports are books about Christians playing sports. Not enough are books that give a Christian view on sports. This book fills the gap admirably. The writing is funny, honest, and provocative, and the subject matter is relentlessly interesting. Ted Kluck knows sports and knows how to write. We need more books like this one.
-Kevin DeYoung, Author of Just Do Something
