Century illustration (Source images: Unsplash)
I’ve wondered which I love more, God or basketball. I know, if you need to ask you already know. Still, if they matched up one-on-one, who would win?
Those concerned about a Christian theologian asking such questions—instead of sticking to mysteries like the problem of evil—might find some comfort knowing that while I teach at a Christian university, it’s also a basketball school, with multiple national championships and a president who’s quite the baller herself. They too would like to see this play out.
So first, how long have I played basketball versus how long have I, to quote Augustine, “loved Thee, Beauty ancient and new”? (Just to be clear, Augustine was talking about God, not basketball, though mostly because basketball hadn’t yet been invented; more on this later.) I started playing basketball about four decades ago. I became a Christian three decades ago. Basketball wins by a decade. First points go to basketball.
