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Sport and the Christian Religion: A Systematic Review of Literature

In light of the escalating interest in the scholarly study of the interface between Christianity and sport, particularly as a subfield of several disciplines (e.g. sociology, religion, sport studies, cultural studies), an organ that gathered and systematically organized the majority of the available scholarship was greatly needed. Nick J. Watson and his long-time writing partner Andrew Parker have met the need with their book Sport and the Christian Religion: A Systematic Review of Literature. In a masterful way, they provide an enormous amount of bibliographic material, some which is in ‘semi-annotated’ form. The material is nicely woven into the narrative throughout the seven chapters and conclusion of the book. Moreover, as accomplished scholars whose work is included in this volume, their voices enter into the narrative at appropriate moments and do not overshadow the contributions of the vast number of excellent scholars they cite. On the whole, the synthesis of the material presented in the book is laudable. Currently, this book is the most inclusive review to date of the literature addressing the connection between religion and sport generally, Christianity and sport specifically. They segment the literature and organize it thematically into seven chapters and close the book with a conclusion and an appendix which highlights the academic and practical developments in the study of sport and Christianity. Watson and Parker eloquently and clearly articulate the twofold aim of the book in the Introduction. First, they state that the systematic review is the book seeks to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize scholarship, empirical research, and practical initiatives in the sport-Christianity field. Secondly, it seeks to identify, encourage, and facilitate emerging areas of research in this area by providing extensive resources from both the social scientific study of sport and the theological study of sport (3–4).