Game Day for the Glory of God is must reading for anyone involved in sports ministry. Pastor, author, and self-proclaimed “wannabe” athlete, Stephen Altrogge has given us a straightforward guide into what it means to be a Christ-follower who wants to glorify God through athletic participation.
The tension between competitive athletics and the principles of the Christian life can sometimes become uncomfortable for a Christian athlete. There are two extremes people often go to: On one side there is the “turn the other cheek,” monastic-like perspective. Such people will say that there is no place for athletics, or more specifically, competition, in the Christian life. The opposite extreme is to be totally dualistic and play as if your faith has no barring on how they compete. Stephen Altrogee offers a reasonable response to both extremes, and comes to a proper and necessary middle ground of where we can, and should play.
His book is a thoughtful presentation of what it means to Glorify God in our play. Altrogge is not trying to address every potential issue the marriage of sports and Christianity may present. Rather, his goal is to provide a useable framework from which the Christian can view and play sports. In short, he seeks to establish a God-centered view of sports.
Altrogge uses the first two chapters of the book (A Life for the Glory of God, and The Source of all Talent) to remind us that a proper view of sports starts with a proper view of God. This proper view of God leads to a God-centered view of life—all of life, including our athletic life. If we understand this truth, then we will naturally understand that whatever abilities and interest we have in sports, come as a gift from God to us. And as such, they are to be used for His glory and purposes.
Building on these foundational truths, Altrogge uses the rest of the text to offer thoughtful applications of how our understanding of God and His gift of sports to us can be applied to every aspects of our involvement in sports
While the entire book is useful, there are two other chapters that I find particularly helpful and want to highlight. The first is Chapter three, The Joy of Sports. It is a theologically informative presentation of both the intrinsic and eternal value of sports. Altrogge wisely shows how the intrinsic value of sports is seen in the joy we can experience as we play and watch sports. Moreover, he argues that our excellence and victories on the field can magnify God, and they are glimpses and reminders of the far bigger excellence of God.
The second highlight for me is chapter four, Game Day Priorities. This chapter should be a must read for every athlete. In it, Altrogge reminds us that every so-called Christian athlete has a biblically informed “priority” to play with: humility, a right passion, self-control, trust and dependence on God, and with an eternal perspective.
Stephen Altrogge has given us an excellent resource for anyone connected with sports ministry. It could be used at many levels to help players, coaches, parents, and fans better understand how their love and participation in sports can, and should, be something that brings glory to God.
