Whether in participation or watching; sport holds a huge part in many of our lives, and certainly no one can deny sport's enormous popularity in the world in general. But there aren't alot of books that talk about sport from a Christian perspective, and that's where Stephen Altrogge helps with the offering of 'Game Day for the Glory of God: A Guide for Athletes, Fans, and Wannabes 'Stephen, who writes The Blazing Center blog along with his father Mark Altrogge has kindly answered a couple of questions about himself, the book & sports.
G.B. -First tell anyone reading this a bit about yourself, your background, how you came to Christ, what you do & plans for the future?
S.A. -I'm 26 years old, married to a wonderful girl named Jen, and have a 1 year old daughter named Charis. I grew up in a Christian home and was saved when I was six years old. I'm currently at the Sovereign Grace Ministries pastor's college and plan on returning to my home church next year to serve on staff.
G.B. -'Game Day for the Glory of God: A Guide for Athletes, Fans, and Wannabes' is released on 30th September. What motivated you to write this book?
S.A. -I love watching, playing, and talking about sports. But even more, I love the Lord. This book was an attempt to bring together the greater passion with the lesser passion. I really wanted to think through what sports show us about the Lord and how we can enjoy sports in a way that glorifies God. Hopefully this book achieves that!
G.B. -I’ve talked with guys who constantly struggle with guilt over the passion and time they put into ‘their’ sports compared with the passion they have for Jesus & time they spend doing ‘Christian’ stuff. Will your book be of help to them, and without giving too much away (you do want them to buy the book) could you give a little snippet of advice for them?
S.A. -I think the book will help. Sports are a gift from God to be enjoyed. However, as is so often the case, our sinful hearts often creates an idol out of playing or watching sports. So really this is a heart issue that needs to be brought before the Lord. Simply saying, "I'm not going to watch sports for a month" won't solve the problem. We need God to teach us to love him, because we're so quick to love other things.
G.B. -When we are watching a sporting event would you say that we can enter a type of worship over that sport and if so is it right for a Christian to ‘worship‘ sport in any degree?
S.A. -I think there's a place for admiring the incredible athletic talents that God has given to men and women. The talent God has given to men and women is a reflection of himself. However, if a sport ever takes the place of the first love in our hearts than there's a problem.
G.B. -Could we as a Church learn from how we respond to sport in worship, and use similar responses of worship over the person & work of Jesus Christ?
S.A. -Definitely. Nobody watches an athletic event quietly. I'm standing up, giving high fives, screaming, and throwing our hands in the air. If I'm willing to respond in such a manner to a game, I should be responding in a much greater way to Jesus Christ.
G.B. -There are obvious lessons that we as Christians can learn from athletes (eg discipline, training, striving for the prize, observing rules etc…) but could you outline for us what Christians should we be bringing into sport?
S.A. -I don't think I can answer that question in this space, but I can mention a few things. Some of God's priorities on the playing field would be humility, being teachable, perseverance, trust, and self-control. I go into these things in much greater detail in the book.
G.B. -Since writing the book have you had any after thoughts about the book, how people could best read it or anything you’d add to it?
S.A. -I would really like to see dads and sons go through the book.
G.B. -On this topic of Christians & sport are there any other authors, books, sermons etc that you’d recommend to someone for after they read your book?
S.A. -Yes, C.J. Mahaney just gave a sermon called "Don't Waste Your Sports". It's a must listen.
G.B. -What do you think is the greatest sport in the world and why?
S.A. -American Football. There's a beauty and ferocity in the game that you don't see in many other sports.
G.B. -What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment in Stephen Altrogge’s sporting life?
S.A. -Striking out in slow pitch softball is pretty embarrassing.
G.B. -Have you any plans or thoughts for writing any other books in the future, and if so is there any chance of you saying what they might be about?
S.A. -I would like to but don't have any definite plans.
G.B. -If you had one sentence to tell someone about anything, what would you say?
S.A. -Wow. I guess I would say "Steak tastes delicious".
G.B. - Thank you Stephen for taking the time to answer these questions, I can't wait to get time in this book & hope that many others will be moved to enjoy sports to the glory of God as a result of it.
For more go to The Blazing Center
Or join the Facebook Group
But without a doubt the best thing to do is buy the book
