“Remembering we are playthings”: sport in theological perspective

Abstract

Drawing primarily from the doctrine of creation ex nihilo, we
will first identify the contingent nature of the creature, arguing that
we are best understood as ‘playthings’, who are called to a Sabbathshaped
life of work and worship. Then, by analysing the nature of
competitive sport, we will see that sport is best understood as a
liturgical celebration which punctuates our lives as a reminder of
our non-serious nature.