Sports
Ellen White’s Counsel for an Addicted People
Michael J. Wiley
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
Dr. Jerry Moon
CHIS 690 Writings of Ellen G White
Project #2 Hours-25
Introduction
I am an avid reader of many various topics. If heaven is anything like a four story Barnes and Noble I will be very happy. While scanning the many magazines I once met the distributor replacing old magazines with new editions. I struck up a conversation with the man and was very surprised by the information he shared with me. One question I asked him was what genre of magazine is the leading seller. I then proceeded to name a few of what I thought would be the big ones, such as Woman’s Day, women’s magazines in general and news magazines. He looked at me very quizzically and responded that no the leading sellers were men’s magazines such as Sports… and Sport… and Football….
So is it true? Is the sporting world that big in our society? What affect is it having on our efforts to be a peculiar people and rear our children to be “..in the world but not of it.”? Sitting in the barbershop, I waited for a cut and trim. The magazine rack was stuffed full of all the magazines the distributor had mentioned to me. The newspaper was there with the sports section prominently on top, obviously having been read the most by the looks of the wrinkled and tattered pages. The topic of conversation was everything from fishing and hunting to football and basketball, all of which would be categorized as sports.
Now the subject begins to come closer to home. I am a born again Christian who loves the football season. I have followed “my” teams for over 15 years. I have spent many hours watching them win and lose and reading about the games I missed, studying the stats and scores and standings. I have gone to school with friends who memorized statistics for individual players in basketball. They were a trivial pursuit nightmare when it came to sporting knowledge. I noticed however, that when it came to beneficial knowledge of history and English and hard work they were failing.
I entered denominational employment and found the students and staff with whom I worked with to be just as engrossed if not more so than I was. From studying the sports pages to playing on the field and in the gym, students and faculty alike were focused on being the best and imitating their favorite players.
Why “sports”
I am not the type to really get steamed up about things but if there is one thing that really gets under my skin it is those overly competitive people who think they know how to play every sport better than anyone else and were accidentally passed over by the professional scouts. Why do sports in general seem to create or feed that type of attitude? The expressions, both verbal and physical, that can be seen from the basketball court to the football field defy Christian standards too often. I have witnessed many sincere Christians hang up their white robes as they enter the court or field and act in all manner of disrespect for the Name they claim.
I chose this topic for just these reasons. What does Ellen White have to say about sports and the attitudes expressed in them? Were they the same as they are now? Does she have any specific counsel for students, parents and teachers? Are sports to be avoided or is there more specific counsel from Mrs. White with regard to certain activities?
The career I have chosen in ministry, working with young people, puts me in the forefront of this endless controversy. It seems we, as staff, are fighting the pull sports seem to have on the students. Their lives can be wrapped up in another world and they do not function academically or socially. They wear clothes representing their favorite teams; they spend hours trying to imitate their favorite players, as well as the excessive time spent recounting past games and debating future contests. As I watch all this occur I wonder where there is time for school as well as God and service to others. So many of them would rather “shoot hoops” than work an afternoon helping a neighbor. They can watch 4 hours of football, however, a Bible Study of that length would put most to sleep.
Personal Philosophy concerning topic
I have mentioned a number of personal opinions regarding the subject and how I have approached the discussion so far but I would like to elaborate on the topic. I am not nor ever have been a “Michael Jordan”. I enjoy playing almost any sport. I am not very competitive and for the most part just enjoy the “fun” of playing with people. I do have a hard time, as I mentioned before, with those people that have been blessed with the “play hard, no such thing as second place attitude.” I have on many occasions avoided participating in a game if I notice someone or a couple of them in the game. I do believe there are a lot of positive things that can come from playing sports. A list of positive aspects would look like this: 1) good exercise, 2) learn to work together, 3) positive role model, 4) can be a witnessing tool, 5) teaches you to stick with something and not give up, 6) improves coordination, 7) improves communication.
I have seen, as, I am sure, have others, examples of all of these positive aspects of sports as well as their ever-present negative counter parts. One school I know of that took basketball very seriously decided to refocus on Christ which I thought was a great idea. The basketball team prayed together and worked hard together to improve the game. In one game I watched, our team was far superior to the visitors. It was the typical David and Goliath only Goliath was winning. One coach, who would never give in, would have poured on the points and “taught those amateurs how to play the game”. The coach of our team, however, took what I believe to have been the Christian approach and during the half time held a small meeting with his players. I was sitting close by and heard every word. He told his starters (most of whom could dunk blindfolded) to practice ball control and passing. He very emphatically told them “Do NOT take shots at the basket!” He explained that he was going to keep some of the starters in the game so as not to humiliate the other team and he was going to substitute some of the younger less experienced players. Only they were allowed to take shots. He said he did not want to see any fancy dribbling or passing. He wanted clean, basic basketball. At first I thought he must have been dreaming. Here these teenagers had the chance of a lifetime to show off and add to their personal stats for the season. Yet they took the Christian high road and used the game to practice their skills and even help the other team. I saw our team members congratulating the other team when they got points as well as giving accolades to the other team members with pats on the back and “good job man”. It was a terrific game and an even better example of a sport played with full Christian values. Unfortunately, that game is the exception to the rule when it comes to Christians and sports. That is the reason for this report.
Research Method
In looking for Ellen White’s comments on sports I searched through all her published writings for every use of the word “sports”. I saw how she used the word to reflect different meanings as well as much counsel to teachers at Adventist institutions and parents. She mentioned many specific sports as well as giving counsel for alternative activities.
Definition
Turning to our trusty Webster’s dictionary we see many uses for the word but 3 main definitions are still used today. 1.) a diversion or pastime 2.) a particular game or activity pursued for diversion 3.) a spirit of jesting 4.) an object of derision.
Ellen White used the word “sports” or “sport” to mean a few different things. She used two main definitions. One popular usage of the word has nothing to do with playing a physical activity at all but instead refers to making fun of something or mocking. “He (Satan) has caused himself to be so represented as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt. He is well pleased to be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object, misshapen, half animal and half human. He is pleased to hear his name used in sport and mockery by those who think themselves intelligent or well informed.” (GC88 516) This quote would fit the fourth definition in Webster’s, that of making Satan an object of derision. Another similar use of the word for this type of definition occurs in The Adventist Home Page 177: “Never should either the husband or the wife in sport or in any other manner complain of each other to others…” This is an example of the use of the word sport as an act of jesting. “From still other rooms came the most disagreeable sallies of low wit and vain talk. Some were making sport of individuals and even imitating the words uttered in meeting; sacred things were made the subject of jest.” (CH 412) Again this seems to be using the word to describe an object of derision as well as making jokes. It seems clear then that the word sport itself can carry a few different meanings. This present one seems to be quite negative in its use and the affect that it has on others, especially the participant. Another good example of her use of the term in this context is in Counsels to Writers and Editors page 167, “A proper illustration of Bible scenes requires talent of a superior quality. With these cheap, common productions, the sacred lessons of the Bible disdain comparison…. God forbid that we should please the devil by lowering the standard of eternal truth by using illustrations that men and women and children will make sport of.” It seems pretty straightforward that sport can also mean mocking or jest or as a joke as well as speaking of something as an object of derision. It is not used in this case very often in today’s society. The meaning taken from the context of its usage is still very clear.
The other, and of course more recognized use of the word “sport”, refers to a physical activity or a game. The game, in this instance, is not physical but mental. Simplified, it would be along the lines of making a game of tricking someone or pestering them. It is very close to the definition of mocking or jest we just looked at previously. “Enslaved by sin, the moral powers are under the tyranny of Satan, The Soul is made the sport of his temptations; and unless some mighty arm is stretched out to rescue him, man goes where the arch rebel leads the way.” This usage refers to a game of sorts but not a physical one. It is again making someone the object of derision and making it a game. Mrs. White clearly is speaking against allowing us to be used by Satan as a game piece to be played with. The physical activity usage of the term is self-explanatory. “…and in the afternoon a baseball game, which, according to reports, was played in a good spirit.” (6BIO 370) This quote takes me back to my positive illustration of the use of the term sport to mean a physical game played. Not only is this showing the usage of her thought but also it is a positive reflection that she did not criticize all sports outright.
Counsel
There are many examples of Sister White’s mentioning specific sports that she felt were not appropriate. “A youth is surrounded by temptations. He enters the bowling alley, or the gambling saloon, to see the sport.” (CS 210) Is she entirely against these sports? I would say that in this context she is against the influence they have to the young people to try to obtain money through these sports and not by honest means. It is not to say that gambling and bowling even today are good or bad. Arguments can be made for both especially bowling. Indeed anyone who enters a bowling alley today knows of the thick haze of smoke and plentiful alcohol present. It is not the ideal environment for physical exercise and bettering one’s health, although it can be, in a group of fellow Christians, a wonderful diversion. Joining a bowling league and going alone can, over time, lead to temptations to which we should not consciously submit ourselves. Notice in her quote she refers to one person entering these establishments. Again, my argument here is not meant to fully support or negate her counsel but simply to bring balance to what could be extremism. “ A view of things was presented to me in which the students were playing games of cricket and tennis. Then I was given instruction regarding the character of these amusements. They were presented to me as a species of idolatry like the idols of the nations.”(CT 350) This statement sounds pretty bold in condemning both sports. However, as you consider what an idol is, these sports themselves are not, perhaps the, evil. An idol is anything that takes you away from God and a fuller relationship with him and could be just about anything in life. The argument could be made that almost everything we do is an idol. Seclusionism can result from a strict adherence to this definition. We must be careful not to become extreme in our views but to hold to moderation. Perhaps as those games were being played and in the way they were being played Sister White was shown that they were objects of idolatry. I see no difference between a game of baseball “played in good spirit” and a game of cricket also “played in good spirit”. She specifically mentions the character of these games that I think could be transferred to all other games as well.
One word that really stands out from Webster’s definition is “diversion”. This can be united with the idea of idolatry. Participating in sports as a diversion to such an extreme that it becomes an idol in our lives it very wrong. I know Ellen White would not be against participating in sports for diversionary purposes. Refer again to the quote regarding the baseball game played in good spirit. This quote was taken from a longer passage regarding a series of meetings that were taking place and this baseball game was an afternoon diversion from the meetings. It certainly does not sound as if she is condemning the idea of taking a break from “study”. “He should learn how many hours to give to study, and how much time to spend in physical exercise. The human body may be compared to a nicely adjusted machine, which needs care to keep it in running order. One part should not be subjected to constant wear and pressure, while another part is rusting from inaction. While the mind is tasked the muscles also should have their proportion of exercise.” (FE 72) “This has sometimes led to the opinion that if the intellect is educated to put forth its highest powers, it will strengthen the physical and moral nature for the development of the whole man. Time and experience have proved this to be in error.”(CE211)
What effect does sport have on the character of individuals? The idolatry issue, spoken of previously, is a major concept inherent in this next section. I want to look at exactly what it does to a person who is so focused on this one thing called sports. One statement that jumped out at me because it spoke to my personal experience comes from the 2nd Manuscript Releases page 218, “They (students) act as if school were a place where they were to perfect themselves in sports, as if this were an important branch of their education, and they come armed and equipped for this kind of training. This is all wrong from beginning to end.” Again this is not saying the sport is bad. I believe she is making a point that taking sports to an extreme, turning the healthy diversion and exercise into an idol of worship and self-adoration is what is wrong. What can be said about the desire to further our relationship with our Heavenly Father? Sports can have a detrimental effect on our desire to seek God in all we do. “ How much time is spent by intelligent human beings in horse racing, cricket matches, and ball playing! But will indulgence in these sports give men a desire to know truth and righteousness? Will it keep God in their thoughts? Will it lead them to inquire, ‘how is it with my soul?’ All the powers of Satan are set in operation to hold the attention to frivolous amusements and he is gaining his object.”(CT 456) Notice that she mentions “indulgence” in these sports. Here, ball playing is on the bad list of things not to do; yet we have already read a previous quote in which she placed ball playing in a positive light. I truly believe the key concept here is the indulgence in these sports to the point that it takes away from our walk with God and our desire to further that walk.
I found in a pamphlet an interesting statement concerning the effect these things have on young people. “They (young men and women) do not discern that these entertainments are really Satan’s banquet, prepared to keep souls from accepting the call to the marriage supper of the Lamb; they prevent them from receiving the white robe of character which is the righteousness of Christ. They become confused as to what is right for them as Christians to do. They do not want to be thought of as singular and naturally inclined to follow the example of others.”(PH048 14) This is saying that even people who are trying to follow God can, and will, be led astray by others indulging in idolatrous sport. She speaks more about those who are nominal Christians and the affect they have on others. “ …This class is always ready for the gatherings for pleasure and sport, and their influence attracts others.” (AH 519) Not only can the individual use sports in a wrong manner, other individuals through their misuse of sports can lead others astray.