Last Two Books (Again)
ajcarter | December 31, 2009Yesterday I mentioned that I would give a brief report on the last two books I am reading this year. Yesterday I spoke mostly about the book by Milan Ford. Today I mention the other book Onward Christian Athletes: Turning Ballparks into Pulpits and Players into Preacher. Ford’s book was a critical look at the church from the inside. Krattenmaker’s book is a critical look from the outside. In particular he looks at the influence and contradictions of evangelicalism with the ranks of professional sports (baseball, football, and basketball to be exact.
I first heard of this book as Krattenmaker was doing an interview on National Public Radio. It sounded interesting because he was addressing what I believe is one of the most shallow expressions of Christianity in our culture, namely the public display of faith on the professional and collegiate athletic field of play. Krattenmaker, a self-professed former evangelical, Young Life, and Campus Crusade convert, takes to task the confluence of evangelical Christianity and conservative politics within professional sports. The book is well written and well researched.
Krattenmaker explains the origins of the kneel down prayer in the endzone and how the author of that gesture is now a prominent evangelical pastor and conservative political insider. He explains the origins of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action and Baseball Chapels. And while he readily admits to the advantages of having these organizations around, he decries their ongoing influence within the professional locker room.
Though Krattenmaker tries to be fair-handed, his biases are evident. Nevertheless, I will admit that these athletes give him much ammunition. For example, following his teams victory in the NFC Championship football game, Kurt Warner declared boldly his faith in Jesus Christ and how Jesus had made the victory possible. Yet after losing the Superbowl a couple of weeks later, Warner was less vocal in his postgame remarks. In fact, Krattenmaker makes the observation:
In his generally gracious post-game TV concession remarks, Warner had not a word to say about his Lord, suggesting that the religious obligation to proclaim Jesus belongs only to the victors.
While it is easy to see that Krattenmaker has an axe to grind, it is also unfortunate that these athletes give him much on which to grind it. Too often public professions of faith are often followed by sexual promiscuity and lavish living.
Krattenmaker is liberal, but his writing and research are legit. I could wish these athletes were better instructed in the ways of speaking and living out their faith. I could wish also that Krattenmaker was better instructed in biblical, gospel-centered Christianity. I am really enjoying the book and would recommend it to all who want to understand better how Christian expressions in sports are being encouraged. I would also recommend it to those who minister to these athletes. Krattenmaker concludes the book with these words:
A word to Christians in sports: The vision sketched above is not intended to silence you. If anything, your message will come through louder, and resonate more clearly and with far more listeners, when it is expressed through your ethical witness in addition to your get-Jesus evangelism. The nonevangelical rest of us will be more likely to relax our defenses and engage with you in an open, hospitable manner if you consistently lead with your hearts rather than a rigid theological proposition about Jesus, heaven, and hell that will inevitably exclude and alienate large numbers of us.
Obviously, Krattenmaker has much he could learn from a better understanding of the gospel and Christianity. Yet, the church could learn quite a bit from Krattenmaker as well.











