Routledge Global Perspectives on Sports and Christianity (Routledge Research in Sport, Culture and Society)

While the relationship between sport and religion is deeply rooted in history, it continues to play a profound role in shaping modern-day societies. This edited collection provides an inter-disciplinary exploration of this relationship from a global perspective, making a major contribution to the religious, social scientific and theological study of sport. It discusses the dialectical interplay between sport and Christianity across diverse cultures, extending beyond a Western perspective to include studies from Africa, South America and Asia, as well as Europe, the UK and the US. Containing contributions from leading experts within the field, it reflects on key topics including race, gender, spirituality, morality, interfaith sport clubs, and the significance of sport in public rituals of celebration and mourning. Its chapters also examine violent sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts, as well as reflecting on the cult of sporting celebrity and the theology of disability sport. Truly international in scope, Global Perspectives on Sports and Christianity is fascinating reading for all those interested in the study of sport, sociology and religion. Review "The book is a welcome contribution to the literature on sport and Christianity. The wide range of topics covered means that there is something for everyone which an interest in the general subject in the book." - Jonathan Edwards, Verite Sport About the Author Afe Adogame is the Maxwell M. Upson Professor of Christianity and Society at Princeton Theological Seminary, USA Nick J. Watson is Associate Professor of Sport and Social Justice in the School of Sport at York St John University, UK Andrew Parker is Professor of Sport and Christian Outreach and Co-director (with Nick Watson) of the Centre for Sport, Spirituality and Religion (CSSR) in the School of Sport and Exercise at the University of Gloucestershire, UK