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Football fan for a day
Super Bowl Sunday: The day America stops. For four hours in the evening, millions of Americans will be gathered together around televisions to watch the pinnacle game of the National Football League season. I will be among them because football is more than just a game for me; it’s an old friend.
I have loved football since my peewee playing days at Pearl Park in Minneapolis. I fell in love with the Minnesota Vikings during the same time period while growing up just a few blocks from the Metrodome where they play (and have since felt like a lover scorned more often than not). It is not just playing the game that I love, nor is it the Vikings. No, it is the game itself with all of its aggression, drama, skill, passion, competition, and spectacular displays of athleticism.
But just as much as I love football, others of you dislike it or simply don’t care about it. Your passions might be for music, literature, cooking, art, technology, gaming, or any of a million pastimes. And that is fine and good.
But I make one request of you: For one day a year, and one day only, be a football fan.
Be a fan for one day for a single purpose: People. Football draws people like moths to a porch light, and through football you can connect with people. There isn’t another social or entertainment event during the year that draws people like the Super Bowl. So take advantage of it!
For one evening take off the earbuds, turn off the Xbox, close the book, and go to a Super Bowl party. Or host one. Or crash one. Just be a part of what people are doing! It doesn’t matter that you don’t like football, don’t care about football, or don’t know about football. Share the food, enjoy the commercials, cringe at the halftime show, and give a football fan the opportunity to show off his knowledge of the game.
As Christians, we are called to love people, to know them well, to care about them. We’re also called to be in community. Our Sabbath day is devoted to worship and fellowship. Does a Super Bowl party fulfill those callings? Not entirely, but it can be fantastic, strategic, fun way to take a step toward obeying. Super Bowl Sunday is an event that transcends fandom and is culturally iconic, so I ask you to transcend your interests. For one day, for a few hours, be a football fan for the sake of knowing and loving people well.
back to top39 Comments to “Football fan for a day”
You’re really reaching here. REALLY reaching.
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This will be the frist game that I will not watch..
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Well, it isn’t a bad idea, depending on the crowd. I might go for it sometime among friends.
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Good Challenge!
This in a good illustration of one of a great variety of things we should be doing “for the sake of knowing and loving people well.”
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This should be a great game with matchups between two great coaches, Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin and two great quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Eli Manning. Coming from Boston, I look forward to a Pats win, as New York happens to be a Satanic den of iniquity.
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Sails – You have one coach who is a cheater and should have been dismissed.
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Then you have a QB that the league change rules to protect him and another QB whose family ego is so hugh that the NFL League can not hold it.
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Roy, Following Christian duty, I shall forgive you for your heretical polemic against Saints Bill and Tom!
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LOL
Go Yankees
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“Our Sabbath day is devoted to worship and fellowship. Does a Super Bowl party fulfill those callings? Not entirely, but it can be fantastic, strategic, fun way to take a step toward obeying”
Respectfully, I disagree that a Super Bowl party is a way to take a step toward obeying the Sabbath Commandment. To the contrary, I would suggest that professional sports (and, in particular, the Super Bowl) have done more to undermine the blessing of the Sabbath than anything else by comparison.
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Respectfully, Sunday is not “a,” or “the” Sabbath. Enjoy the day, and enjoy the game. Using it as an opportunity to reach out in your neighborhood, or friends, even family, is a terrific idea.
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Worse than tax collectors?
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I like football and may watch a portion of the game, but you have to admit this article is stretching things.
The argument is something like football draws people together more than church so watch football.
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How far this nation has fallen from its godly heritage.
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Barnabas Piper never watched Chariots of Fire.
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#5 Sails! Hahahahahahahaha! That is very funny. I heyah yah!
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I saw my first-ever Superbowl last year (the first half anyway; everyone else left at halftime, so I did too). This year we won’t be home at that particular time; my husband is taping it, and I may or may not watch. American football holds zero interest for me. I watched last year simply because the Superbowl is an American cultural phenonenon everyone should see at least once. But I served my time last year, so that’s all I need to do.
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As a Christian parent, I am called to love my children, to know them well, to care about them. I cannot, in good conscience, allow my young children to be exposed to the filth of many of the commercials–even for one day. That is one of the many reasons we do not own a television. Maybe once the children are older I can enjoy the fellowship provided during the Super Bowl–from another room.
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I don’t blame you #18, I didn’t either. Children are not to be included in any of these Super Bowl parties.
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“in this world” or “of this world???”
my take; bread and circuses for the masses that is the opium of the masses and hence competition for religion.
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Unaccountably and strangely, I, Drill, agree with HRW, the self-proclaimed Canadian anarchist who nevertheless never saw a government confiscatory program that he did not admire.
Improbability factor 10 million to one, and falling.
Whales and bowls of petunias and all kinds of eerie, odd things.
Perhaps history is nearing some sort of space-time singularity, where all things become possible, and the contradictory becomes unity, HRW.
Anyway.
Someone in the first century once said, in a fit of extreme and unwarranted optimism, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
Pray tell: Exactly HOW does the Superbowl fit THAT?
Presumably, a bunch of foul-mouthed overgrown men in tights running around enthusiastically hitting each other on a field, whilst eagerly egged on by gyrating, essentially naked women in fur boots, must somehow be admirable, lovely, pure, right, noble, and/or true.
Help me out here, folks.
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“Presumably, a bunch of foul-mouthed overgrown men in tights running around enthusiastically hitting each other on a field, whilst eagerly egged on by gyrating, essentially naked women in fur boots, must somehow be admirable, lovely, pure, right, noble, and/or true.”
Similar sentiments here, Drill. Not to mention irreversible brain damage that can ruin the rest of their lives and scar their families. So much for the whole “body=temple of God” thing.
#19–I would argue that children should not be included in the sport at all. The little bitties get concussions too. See Throwaway Players: Concussion Crisis from Pee Wee Football to the NFL by Gay Culverhouse or Google “second-impact syndrome” for more info.
And, yes, I know there is an element of risk in every sport. But football excels at glorifying the ability to knock the snot out of your opponent.
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by this logic we should all hang out in the strip clubs since the people are there. This is a seriously flawed piece of writing.
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It IS possible to be at a Superbowl party and be having a positive impact (Christ-like) on friends. Just as it is possible to be at work surrounded by un-godly people and represent Christ well. It sounds like some people would criticize Jesus for attending a wedding where there was a lot of drinking. Followers of Jesus should be able to discern the clear difference between a strip club and a Superbowl party.
Overly insulated and isolated Christians have about the same effective witness for Jesus as quarterbacks who sit on the sidelines affect a football game. Jesus was a “friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Paul sought to be “all things to all men.” Some Christians don’t seem to understand that it is very possible to be around sinners and not sin. Most people do not respond very well to being talked “at.” It is much more effective to talk “with” people. I think that is the foundation of what B Piper is saying.
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Neil Evans: “It sounds like some people would criticize Jesus for attending a wedding where there was a lot of drinking.”
Actually, if I recollect correctly, Jesus made MORE wine, when it ran low, so I don’t see the point here.
The thing is, a wedding (in original principle, anyway) is a meaningful celebration of the holy uniting of a man and a woman before God and man.
So the Superbowl is a meaningful celebration of exactly what?
I have no problem if you go to a Superbowl party solely in order to evangelize.
Lots of virgin territory for evangelicalism, there, I would think.
Well, not the cheerleaders, of course (by the way, don’t watch them – concentrate manfully on evangelizing especially hard, particularly during THOSE parts!). Cheerleaders are not exactly virgins, presumably, most probably not in actual practice, and certainly not in principle.
Actually one can never be sure exactly WHAT cheerleaders are – are they carbon-based lifeforms, or are they silicone-based lifeforms?
Or perhaps most likely some sort of hybrid?
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Everyone must see Chariots of Fire. Some dialog–Liddell is the main character, the good guy:
———
His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales: We have to explore ways in which we can help this young man to reach that decision [to run on Sunday].
Eric Liddell: I’m afraid there are no ways, sir. I won’t run on the Sabbath, and that’s final. I intended to confirm this with Lord Birkenhead tonight, even before you called me up before this inquisition of yours.
Lord Cadogan (chairman of the British Olympic Association): Don’t be impertinent, Liddell!
Liddell: The impertinence lies, sir, with those who seek to influence a man to deny his beliefs!
Cadogan: In my day it was King first and God after.
Duke of Sutherland (another member of the committee): Yes, and the “war to end wars” [World War 1] bitterly proved your point!
Eric: God made countries. God makes kings, and the rules by which they govern. And those rules say that the Sabbath is His. And I for one intend to keep it that way.
Prince of Wales: There are times when we are asked to make sacrifices in the name of [our common] loyalty. And without them our [national] allegiance is worthless. As I see it, for you, this is such a time.
Eric: Sir, God knows I love my country. But I can’t make that sacrifice.
Lord Lindsey [enters the room and suggests]: Another day, another race. [That is, let Eric switch from 100-meters on Sunday to 400-meters on Thursday. The committee agrees.]
Duke of Sutherland: A sticky moment, George.
Lord Birkenhead: Thank God for Lindsay. I thought the lad had us beaten.
Duke: He did have us beaten, and thank God he did.
Birkenhead: I don’t quite follow you.
Duke: The “lad”, as you call him, is a true man of principles and a true athlete. His speed is a mere extension of his life, its force. We sought to sever his running from himself.
Birkenhead: For his country’s sake, yes.
Duke: No sake is worth that, least of all a guilty national pride.
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#24, Neil Evans. I agree completely. You are, as usual, a clear voice for grace and reason.
This kind of legalism helped to kill off relationship with our older girls, and were a huge factor in both of them ending up in therapeutic boarding schools as troubled teens.
So here is a word of caution. As a Christian parent, I too am “called to love my children, to know them well, to care about them”, and that is exactly why I’ll be sitting with my teenage boys chewing on our Buffalo Chicken Wings as we cheer on the Patriots to wreak vengeance on the Giants for the squeaker they got over on our beloved 49ers. That was the game that made me a fan! I finally understood football’s fascination.
I learned the value of entering these faith-stretching worlds when I feared I was losing the heart of one of my boys, who was crazy for baseball. He talked a lot of gibberish about it that I didn’t understand, and it was a language that I, as a Literature Major, found completely alien. But as we watched the Giants together as they made their tortuous progress toward eventually winning the World Series, and provided us great spiritual parables to discuss together, I surprisingly found that
I admit I still like baseball better. Fewer concussions and no cheerleaders! But oh my goodness, what stories to be found on those scrimmage lines,to reach a young man’s heart with the things they care most about: Tim Tebow and Christian Witness, Providence and the Place Kick, all played out in amazing epic battles to the bitter end between the soldiers of city-states.
There is much that can be redeemed from this world of football, much worldview that can be taught, much being ‘in and not of’ that can be modeled, all as we avert our eyes from what passes as half-time entertainment. You might think this suggestion was a stretch for Barnabas to make. But I think it is good to make some faith-stretches for the unreached, especially if they are our own children.
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If there’s a commandment you don’t like, just call it legalism!
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Watch out for the shower scene in chariots of fire. The brits don’t know when to edit.
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I wouldn’t necessarily call it legalism, I would just throw the red flag to challenge the call of the men on the field and ask that it be reviewed by the Man in the booth. This provision is in the rule book.
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KAREN BUTLER @27 – I usually skip the long posts, but I’m glad I read yours. I already agreed with Neil Evans.
I will enjoy the Super Bowl with family and friends, and look for ways to encourage others with eternal truths. I also won’t judge others, or look down on them if they choose to avoid the game.
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Heavens knows I don’t want to be legalistic.
And, it is true that all good Romans faithfully attended the Circus Maximus . . . and concentrated on eating their chips, and not looking – and trying not to hear what was happening, during the really bad parts of the spectacles.
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#24 Neil – of course it is possible to have a positive impact. So if your church has a regular worship service on Sunday evening (as most do) should we alter that for the Super Bowl? Should we skip church and worshiping God to attend or host a super bowl party and be friendly to people? Where in this article did the author even casually mention evangelism? The point of this article is make sure you don’t miss the super bowl. Take the opportunity to skip church and be friendly to people. If the intention was to share the Gospel where was that mentioned? The point is that we as Christians are not called to infiltrate the world as a under cover agents of the Gospel. I am not suggesting that we must walk around wearing a 3 piece suit and the fundamental haircut, but we are to have priorities. God is to be at the center of all we do and that should not change for the sake of a football game or anything else. If you read your Bible you will see that the crowds came to Jesus, he did not go to the crowds. He dealt with individuals and crowds formed. He did not go to where the crowds formed for some entertainment and try to pluck out an individual and turn them to the Gospel. We are called to follow his example. Nothing wrong with watching the super bowl, but don’t let the super bowl alter your priorities!
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wow on a second reading of this article I have serious concens
“…Just be a part of what people are doing!…” – This kind of blanket statement shows no discernment.
“…enjoy the commercials…” – wow. Have you seen some of the commercials over the years? Not all are bad but some are borderline pornographic and we should enjoy them? They get racier every year!
“…cringe at the halftime show…” – Cringe at the halftime show, seriously? If the halftime show were not part of the game would you advise watching? If you have to cringe should you even watch?
“…give a football fan the opportunity to show off his knowledge of the game…” – This is the higher purpose that warrants setting aside regular worship service attendance? Frivolous conversation? I am all for conversing with people, getting to know them but the conversation must be steered to the Gospel. When does the author get to that? His whole point is to immerse yourself in the super bowl experience and meet people. How does that help with getting the Gospel out? Granting glory to God?
“…As Christians, we are called to love people, to know them well, to care about them. We’re also called to be in community. Our Sabbath day is devoted to worship and fellowship. Does a Super Bowl party fulfill those callings? Not entirely, but it can be fantastic, strategic, fun way to take a step toward obeying. Super Bowl Sunday is an event that transcends fandom and is culturally iconic, so I ask you to transcend your interests. For one day, for a few hours, be a football fan for the sake of knowing and loving people well…” – We are called to get the Gospel out, make disciples and get them baptized. We are called to reach the world for Jesus Christ not to be part of a “cultural icon”! This entire article is an excuse to feed the flesh and watch a game. I like football and will most likely watch all or some (dvr comes in handy). Does the great commission stop with love and care for people? We are called to love and care for people in the context of giving the good news of the Gospel! it is not enough to be friendly and then go home. If you want to go watch a game and be friendly do it, but don’t try to convince yourself and others that you are fulfilling God’s commandment by watching a football game with people.
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DennyB, would it be okay with you if people whose church did not have a service on Sunday evening attend a Superbowl party? BP did not encourage people to skip church, but to not watch it alone. Neither did he suggest that it was to be “sharing the Good News focused.” I think you are misunderstanding the authors admonitions. Also I think you have your contexts backward. You say: “We are called to love and care for people in the context of giving the good news of the Gospel!” I think we are called to give the Good News of the Gospel in the context of loving and caring for people. Too many people have been told the Good News by people whom they feel are judging them rather than loving them.
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Neil, I am always so grateful to see your name on a comment. Never skim reading them.
Leo, thank you for not skipping my verbose comment–I get passionate about certain issues, and stumbling children is one. I hope you don’t sense that I was looking down on others who don’t want to join the Superbowl party–I want to use my unfortunate history as best I can to warn others of the consequences of scrupulous adherence to man-made rules with guilt and shame expertly applied to manipulate compliance. Not saying anyone here does that though. I just like to warn when I can.
MacRutabaga, been there with crockpot cooking on Sunday and Sabbath-only games, and the TV on a typewriter stand wheeled out on momentous and edifying occasions. Like watching “Chariots of Fire.” Till the girls threw off their denim jumpers and called us to name the hills we would die on. Going to church on Sunday we’d hold on to. We would die on that hill, and so my son could not go to Little League games,and his heart died a little,and he never got to play those organized sports his heart so loved–although he and his friends organized their own sandlot games. But still!
Are we going to crush his spirit even further by saying no to watching sports games on Sunday? Not if we want another round of runaways! A chilling statistic: the director of one ministry to troubled teens says that fully one third of his clients come from fundamental homes. I wonder how disheartened and shamed that kid felt, from whom Eric Liddell took the blasphemous football? As for me, I am so done with exasperating my children.
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I’m glad you don’t intend to exasperate your children, Karen Butler.
What do you think of people who call spanking “child abuse”?
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Go to my blog, and look up the category, “The Perils of the Pearls.”
I think it is called for in only the most extreme of circumstances.
Although I am rethinking my hermeneutic on the biblical word for child,as I think it may be faulty.
I would say more, but I’ll drive my kids crazy–we have to leave for music lessons!
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OK, then let me try this: What do you make of the assertion that Christianity is a misogynistic religion based on Eph 5:22.
Or, may I ask why you held on to going to church on Sunday–am I reading you right, that that is a hill you would die on?
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