SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports

[IBF Assuming]

Hello members,

I need urgent response to this issue and as many as can express your logical biblical opinions, i would appreciate it.

Is it biblical or acceptable for an Adventist to become a professional long tennis player?

Thanks for sharing you thought.
 

IBF Assuming

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[duanem...@comcast.net]

IBF,       

I assume you meant lawn tennis.

The Bible does not refer to tennis, therefore, the best that can be done is to reason from some general principles. On its face there does not seem to be any problems with a SDA being a tennis player. However, since many matches are scheduled to be played on Friday night or Saturday, it would lead to a question about playing on the Sabbath. I doubt if a Tennis Association would accommodate a Sabbath keeper.

Some SDA's see a problem with competition as an occupation but it is difficult to support.

Duane Maycock

 

---

From: "IBF Assuming" <fran...@yahoo.com>
To: ssnet...@andrews.edu
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 9:37:50 AM
Subject: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports

[Neil Watts]

Yes – but not if they have to play on the Sabbath.
 
Kind regards
 
Neil
Pr  Neil W. Watts  MA, DMin.

[Joyce Griffith]

Mercy! Let�s hope we don�t set up rules and regulations for a church member�s athletic involvement in a given sport. I don�t know how a person could keep the Sabbath and be a professional tennis player, but that is something the individual, not the church, should decide.
 
Joyce Griffith

[Glyden O. Headley]

My dad used to make to us, although a man of few words, among many others, paradoxically, the following statements about Sabbath observance:
 
"...There are things which are holy; there are things which are secular but not unholy; there are things which are both secular and unholy; and there are things which are profane. You very active children should try to hang on to those things which are holy and secular but not unholy. You should fight shy of that which is unholy and profane...
You must also try to discern between the holy, the secular and the profane..."
 
By applying those bits of helpful advice, I would suggest that playing sports on Sabbath which is a secular activity, and most likely thus may be categorized as unholy, from which one should attempt to shun.
 
Please try to also remember that engaging in sports (a heathy activity) on a day other than Sabbath, is, I believe, OK. I mean, after all, one has six other days to sweat one's body, doesn't one?
 
"...Six days we have for work and play...the seventh is for Jesus. We rest upon that holy day, for it belongs to Jesus....One, two, three, four, five, six for us (Repeat twice)...The seventh is for Jesus..." (Kindergarten Sabbath School action song)
 
"...Not finding thine own pleasure, not speaking thine own words...Thy delight should be in the Lord...honouring him day and night..."
(Paraphrase from the Holy Bible)
 
Glyden O. Headley, Saanich Peninsula, Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CANADA

 
From: "duanem...@comcast.net" <duanem...@comcast.net>
To: Ssnet...@andrews.edu
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 3:19:20 PM
Subject: Re: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports



IBF,       

I assume you meant lawn tennis.

The Bible does not refer to tennis, therefore, the best that can be done is to reason from some general principles. On its face there does not seem to be any problems with a SDA being a tennis player. However, since many matches are scheduled to be played on Friday night or Saturday, it would lead to a question about playing on the Sabbath. I doubt if a Tennis Association would accommodate a Sabbath keeper.

Some SDA's see a problem with competition as an occupation but it is difficult to support.

Duane Maycock

 

From: "IBF Assuming" <fran...@yahoo.com>
To: ssnet...@andrews.edu
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 9:37:50 AM

[priscilla beaman]

Sometimes beneath such a question rides another question: Is it Biblical or acceptable for an Adventist to become anything but  a full-time worker for God? We ask this question of politicians,  plumbers, policemen and just about every other way to make a living including musicians. We hear the argument that while souls are dying for the want of a Savior how can we become.....(insert the occupation). We sigh with joy when our children or church young people want to become missionaries, preachers, and medical personnel. The Bible is filled with shepherds and merchants. What principle could we use to choose any career? Perhaps 1 Cor. 10:31? Whatever we do, we should do it to the glory of God.  If that is accomplished, I believe that it is a good career.

Priscilla Glenn





***
We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less. — Selected Messages 1:122 (1887).

---

Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2013 12:37:50 -0500
To: ssnet...@andrews.edu
From: fran...@yahoo.com

[Maurice Ashton]

Maurice comments:

We all ask questions like this at times and it is probably good to get the ideas of others. After all, is what a community of believers is about. However one needs to ask what general principles are involved. I guess that the same question could be asked about a number of careers. For example is it acceptable for an Adventist to be a police person, emergency worker, dairy farmer, hospitality worker, actor, and so on.

Somewhere we need to realize that it is not really about a particular career, but about who we are, how we represent Him, what our skill set is and what difficulties do we are likely to face in a chosen career. I have to say I have seen some ministers who should have asked themselves those sorts of questions before they made their choice too.

Regards
Maurice

[Joyce Griffith]

Can you think of any competitive sport that does not have championship and other competitive games on Sabbath? Or is performing to win a trophy or other recognition more important than Sabbath keeping? Hard questions. I’d like to see an Adventist competitor excel in a sport­and keep the Sabbath. If that can be done, terrific!
 
Joyce Griffith
 
From: Sylvia [ mailto:gsmi...@cogeco.ca]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 4:21 PM
To: Ssnet...@andrews.edu
Subject: Re: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports
 
Being a high profile sports figure will be a good opportunity to witness for God.  There would be some times one would  have to stand up for your standards and beliefs.  I do not feel it is wrong for a sound Seventh day Adventist to excel in the sports world.

Sylvia Smith 

[Kathy Palmer]

Sabbath keeping is hard enough in the world we live and work (the routine, regular type jobs...merchant, teacher, parent, medical professional, builder, etc), when we add to that the world of professional sports many questions come to the forefront. Are we being competitive for the love of the win? To puff up oneself? To enjoy the spotlight? Or are we giving God the glory for each win, in each interview, even when the sport reporter tells you up front not to mention God like you did several weeks ago? There was a recent article in the Adventist World of a young Olympian athlete that did not compete due to a Sabbath conflict. What strong spiritual character was displayed! I honestly could not have said for certain when I read that article, what I would have done in their place after the many hours, days, weeks, months and years of practice just to get to that place. Would I have been as strong? Would I have said, oh it is only one Sabbath and went on to compete? Could you walk away if you felt your spiritual life was starting to become second place to the tennis court? No matter how many people reply and offer various opinions, that is a question only you can answer while in prayer mediation with our Lord. I will be praying for you as you make decision.

K. Palmer

On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 6:19 PM, <duanem...@comcast.net > wrote:

IBF,       

I assume you meant lawn tennis.

The Bible does not refer to tennis, therefore, the best that can be done is to reason from some general principles. On its face there does not seem to be any problems with a SDA being a tennis player. However, since many matches are scheduled to be played on Friday night or Saturday, it would lead to a question about playing on the Sabbath. I doubt if a Tennis Association would accommodate a Sabbath keeper.

Some SDA's see a problem with competition as an occupation but it is difficult to support.

Duane Maycock

 

---

From: "IBF Assuming" <fran...@yahoo.com>

To: ssnet...@andrews.edu

Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 9:37:50 AM

Subject: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports

[Andrew S. Baker]

ASB here:

Happy Sabbath, Joyce

I don't think he's asking for rules to be setup on behalf of anyone, so much as he's seeking guidance from the body of believers as it pertains to Biblical principles.  And, I think that's a role that believers are supposed to have with one another, even if we agree that every person must ultimately be persuaded in his or her own mind (Rom 14:5).

This is one of those questions that comes up every now and then, and one a couple occasions in the past few years, I have had to field it (pun intended) from a variety of youth who are considering heading down certain paths in life for careers and hobbies.   The second time it arose, I moderated a discussion with about 2 dozen youth & teens at our church, and here are some of the conclusions and observations that they came up with:

-- In almost all professional sports, it will be impossible to get away from Friday night OR Sabbath morning games.  It will be difficult to be successful without playing on those days, and without success, there is less chance of having a flexible schedule.

-- Even if one were to choose a sport that did not have prominent Sabbath evening/morning games, it would very likely require team practice on those days for games on other days.

-- Our daily prayer should be "lead us not into temptation."  Choosing a career in sports is almost certain to place us in the middle of more temptation than necessary/desirable.

-- Sports is the very antithesis of "seek ye first the kingdom of God."  It is very self-seeking, and more so in recent years.

-- The wisest man that ever lived, fell because he forsook the counsel found in Deuteronomy 17:15-20.  Likewise, there is counsel against pursuing riches referenced in 1 Tim 6:9-11.  Many well meaning people run into serious problems when success in sports or entertainment bring on riches and opportunities that they are ill prepared for.

-- It is one thing if a successful sports figure were converted to the truth, and used their celebrity status to bring honor to God.  It's a different thing to go into it, knowing what God requires of us, given that we are on the cusp of the Promised Land.

-- It was pointed out that Daniel and Joseph lived in the worst places on earth at the time, yet managed to live for God.  This was countered by others who pointed out that God *put* them there -- neither Daniel nor Joseph sought out Babylon/Egypt of themselves.

-- Someone suggested that because Paul made a contrast between athletes and those seeking the kingdom (1 Cor 9:24-27) that it showed the drawbacks of pursing a career in sports.

-- When faced with difficult choices in life, instead of only looking to see if the Bible prohibits an activity, we should consider looking to see if there is Biblical justification or recommendation to support the choice.  That change of perspective can be very helpful.  (e.g. Instead of "what's wrong with doing xxx?" try to determine "why should I pursue xxx?")

-- Philippians 4:8 KJV - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

----------

In short, our youth determined (not unanimously, but by a wide margin), that while there might be opportunity to glorify God by being an athlete, there would also be significant spiritual risks of pursuing this path, and there were other, more recommended paths to glorifying God and serving man.

As a final note, the church has a statement on the issue of sports in schools, and it might be helpful to see what underlying principles are outlined, and if they apply beyond the school years.

http://adventist.org/beliefs/statements/main-stat29.html

I also found this article published by the Adventist Review: http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1525/story2.html

Just some food for thought...

 

Andrew S. Baker (ASB)
http://about.me/Andrew.S.Baker

On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 6:23 PM, Joyce Griffith <ho...@mindspring.com> wrote:

Mercy! Let�s hope we don�t set up rules and regulations for a church member�s athletic involvement in a given sport. I don�t know how a person could keep the Sabbath and be a professional tennis player, but that is something the individual, not the church, should decide.

 

Joyce Griffith

 

From: IBF Assuming [ mailto:fran...@yahoo.com]

Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 10:38 AM

[norma fenoy]

Sabbath is day of rest for us as human being we need the relax . Sports are for the rest of the week, THE only sport I could practice is to walk during Sabbath for nice nature places.

FIRST our respect to God, and after to humanity, TODAY THE MAN DONT RESPECT THE EARTH AND CREATION.... but if we can think why there is not morale and so much wars and sad problems  ??

Regards, Norma



--- El vie 1-feb-13, Kathy Palmer <jkpa...@gmail.com> escribió:

De: Kathy Palmer <jkpa...@gmail.com>

Asunto: Re: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports

Para: Ssnet...@andrews.edu

Fecha: viernes, 1 de febrero de 2013, 23:54

Sabbath keeping is hard enough in the world we live and work (the routine, regular type jobs...merchant, teacher, parent, medical professional, builder, etc), when we add to that the world of professional sports many questions come to the forefront. Are we being competitive for the love of the win? To puff up oneself? To enjoy the spotlight? Or are we giving God the glory for each win, in each interview, even when the sport reporter tells you up front not to mention God like you did several weeks ago? There was a recent article in the Adventist World of a young Olympian athlete that did not compete due to a Sabbath conflict. What strong spiritual character was displayed! I honestly could not have said for certain when I read that article, what I would have done in their place after the many hours, days, weeks, months and years of practice just to get to that place. Would I have been as strong? Would I have said, oh it is only one Sabbath and went on to compete? Could you walk away if you felt your spiritual life was starting to become second place to the tennis court? No matter how many people reply and offer various opinions, that is a question only you can answer while in prayer mediation with our Lord. I will be praying for you as you make decision.

K. Palmer

On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 6:19 PM, < duanem...@comcast.net > wrote:

IBF,       

I assume you meant lawn tennis.

The Bible does not refer to tennis, therefore, the best that can be done is to reason from some general principles. On its face there does not seem to be any problems with a SDA being a tennis player. However, since many matches are scheduled to be played on Friday night or Saturday, it would lead to a question about playing on the Sabbath. I doubt if a Tennis Association would accommodate a Sabbath keeper.

Some SDA's see a problem with competition as an occupation but it is difficult to support.

Duane Maycock

 

---

From: "IBF Assuming" <fran...@yahoo.com >

To: ssnet...@andrews.edu

Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 9:37:50 AM

[Glyden O. Headley]

Decades ago I worked with a company at which another employee was part of their fire service department. The particular chap had been given some rather dogmatic instructions about how this eager-to-be baptized fellow should definitely follow certain rules and regulations concerning Sabbath observance plus---the prospect/threat of accompanying, probable Divine punishments for presumptious disobedience.
 
The newly converted individual (who had been a staunch Roman Catholic) told me he was in a pickle. I invited him to read in the New Testament section of his Douay version of the Bible the various accounts of how Jesus had dealt with the bothersome Scribes and Pharisees as they accused Him more than once of Sabbath breaking.
 
I tried my utmost neither to repeat, reinforce or endorse the rigid rules and associated laws laid down for him by some of the more zealous church leaders in that eastern Canadian Adventist congregation.
 
Bottom line: That particular chap, as far as I know, is now one of the leaders in the Adventist church he attends.  His wife, children and some of his in laws have become Seventh-day Adventists. His eldest son, the last time I heard, was on the cusp of graduating from one of our denomination's educational institutions.
 
When folk ask questions such as "...sports on Sabbath?...", it is my humble belief that, instead of dictating to them what they should or should not do, buttressed with myriads of rules and regulations, we ought to maybe point them to Godly principles, lead them by example, and then let them decide for themselves. 
 
After all, Joshua did suggest to his fellow Hebrews: "...Choose ye this day, whom ye shall serve...But as for me and my house, we will..."

 
Glyden O. Headley, Saanich Peninsula, Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CANADA

From: priscilla beaman <pbe...@hotmail.com>
To: Ssnet...@andrews.edu
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 6:51:51 PM
Subject: RE: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports

Sometimes beneath such a question rides another question: Is it Biblical or acceptable for an Adventist to become anything but  a full-time worker for God? We ask this question of politicians,  plumbers, policemen and just about every other way to make a living including musicians. We hear the argument that while souls are dying for the want of a Savior how can we become.....(insert the occupation). We sigh with joy when our children or church young people want to become missionaries, preachers, and medical personnel. The Bible is filled with shepherds and merchants. What principle could we use to choose any career? Perhaps 1 Cor. 10:31? Whatever we do, we should do it to the glory of God.  If that is accomplished, I believe that it is a good career.

Priscilla Glenn





***
We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less. — Selected Messages 1:122 (1887).

Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2013 12:37:50 -0500
To: ssnet...@andrews.edu
From: fran...@yahoo.com

[Joyce Griffith]

So true, but let’s be slow to judge another’s decision about how to keep the Sabbath.
 
Joyce Griffith

 
From: norma fenoy [ mailto:fen...@yahoo.com.ar]
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 11:38 AM
To: Ssnet...@andrews.edu
Subject: Re: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports
 
Sabbath is day of rest for us as human being we need the relax . Sports are for the rest of the week, THE only sport I could practice is to walk during Sabbath for nice nature places.

FIRST our respect to God, and after to humanity, TODAY THE MAN DONT RESPECT THE EARTH AND CREATION.... but if we can think why there is not morale and so much wars and sad problems  ??

Regards, Norma



--- El vie 1-feb-13, Kathy Palmer <jkpa...@gmail.com > escribió:
De: Kathy Palmer <jkpa...@gmail.com>
Asunto: Re: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports
Para: Ssnet...@andrews.edu
Fecha: viernes, 1 de febrero de 2013, 23:54
Sabbath keeping is hard enough in the world we live and work (the routine, regular type jobs...merchant, teacher, parent, medical professional, builder, etc), when we add to that the world of professional sports many questions come to the forefront. Are we being competitive for the love of the win? To puff up oneself? To enjoy the spotlight? Or are we giving God the glory for each win, in each interview, even when the sport reporter tells you up front not to mention God like you did several weeks ago? There was a recent article in the Adventist World of a young Olympian athlete that did not compete due to a Sabbath conflict. What strong spiritual character was displayed! I honestly could not have said for certain when I read that article, what I would have done in their place after the many hours, days, weeks, months and years of practice just to get to that place. Would I have been as strong? Would I have said, oh it is only one Sabbath and went on to compete? Could you walk away if you felt your spiritual life was starting to become second place to the tennis court? No matter how many people reply and offer various opinions, that is a question only you can answer while in prayer mediation with our Lord. I will be praying for you as you make decision.
K. Palmer

On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 6:19 PM, < duanem...@comcast.net > wrote:
IBF,       
I assume you meant lawn tennis.
The Bible does not refer to tennis, therefore, the best that can be done is to reason from some general principles. On its face there does not seem to be any problems with a SDA being a tennis player. However, since many matches are scheduled to be played on Friday night or Saturday, it would lead to a question about playing on the Sabbath. I doubt if a Tennis Association would accommodate a Sabbath keeper.
Some SDA's see a problem with competition as an occupation but it is difficult to support.
Duane Maycock
 

From: "IBF Assuming" <fran...@yahoo.com >
To: ssnet...@andrews.edu

[Roger Metzger]

You can decide for yourself whether this answer is biblical or logical but my answer is to second Joyce' answer.

Roger Metzger

[Klaus Fuchs]

Am 02.02.2013 14:00, schrieb Luthando Jeff:

It is not acceptable for an Adventist to partake or participate in any kind of sport because they all (sports) represent sun worship. All sports are dedicated to the deities of the pagan world, they all represent sun worship.

Any reliable sources for that?
Sports is necessary for health and i'd assume that God dosn't need sun-worship to keep his people healthy

Klaus

[Gilda Tariga]

Hi Roger Oh,

Have you not struggled with your Sabbathkeeping (including edges of the Sabbath) during those days you were developing your skills in tennis and then playing later as a pro? 

I would like to know your experience as my child is thinking of pursuing basketball and would love to know actual experiences...

Thanks in advance my brother and God bless,

Gilda Tariga  [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 3, 2013, at 1:43 AM, roger oh <roger...@gmail.com> wrote:

I was tennis player and pro for long time.  Still I use my skill to meet people and give lessons time to time.  I  earned my tuition by teaching tennis. What's wrong with developing excellency in your interest? And I did it within the law of Sabbath keeping.  I played during my duty on Army in my country.  And I was able to testify my beliefs in front of high ranking officers and generals because of my talent.  Otherwise I would not have that opportunities.  Good talent is to develop.  Actually it's what God's requirement with His people, especially young people.   Tendency of Adventists is to not trying something not familiar to their culture.  We need to encourage our 3rd and fourth generation Adventists to broaden their choices of occupation and interests.  If Adventists stays within their narrow world, they will end up narrow minded, biased and opinionated. After I graduated AU seminary and 20 and more years of ministry, one thing I still regret?  While I was one of the first teachers of  tennis served to immigrant community in southern California, I refused to get into golf teaching because I thought it was too much for Adventists to play golf.  My reasoning?  Why I would spend that much of time and money while I can better use of it.  And I felt it was a grave sin to play golf as an responsible Adventist.  Later I end up trying to catch up them later, and found it was too late to become the leader in that field.  I lost great opportunity being better witness.  If you have interest and talent in sports? Be the best and develop it to your potential.  It's much better than working in ministry where you might not called or talented.  whatever your choice is, may God bless you richly.

roger oh  [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]



2013/2/1 Joshua Pennerman <jos...@evandel.com>

IBF,

Back in the 1930s there was an Adventist Norwegian skier, I believe his name was Hagen, who rose to the top of his sport and was responsible for changing ski jumping from a Saturday to a Sunday sport because he would not jump on the Sabbath and other ski jumpers craved the opportunity to jump against him in competition.

Josh

**By his intellect, man knows truth from falsehood, a

distinction


which applies in all intellectual activities.**   Moses


Maimonides 

On 2/1/2013 9:37 AM, IBF Assuming wrote:

Hello members,

I need urgent response to this issue and as many as can express your logical biblical opinions, i would appreciate it.

Is it biblical or acceptable for an Adventist to become a professional long tennis player?

Thanks for sharing you thought.

 

IBF Assuming

[Thuwaiba]

If your breaking the sabbath to fulfill tennis duties it is wrong. Being a public figure is a great opportunity to witness, however one has to be firmly grounded in Christ because he temptation will be that much stronger in that type of career.

Thuwaiba  [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 1, 2013, at 6:20 PM, Sylvia <gsmi...@cogeco.ca> wrote:

Being a high profile sports figure will be a good opportunity to witness for God.  There would be some times one would  have to stand up for your standards and beliefs.  I do not feel it is wrong for a sound Seventh day Adventist to excel in the sports world.

Sylvia Smith 

[roger oh]

I was tennis player and pro for long time.  Still I use my skill to meet people and give lessons time to time.  I  earned my tuition by teaching tennis. What's wrong with developing excellency in your interest? And I did it within the law of Sabbath keeping.  I played during my duty on Army in my country.  And I was able to testify my beliefs in front of high ranking officers and generals because of my talent.  Otherwise I would not have that opportunities.  Good talent is to develop.  Actually it's what God's requirement with His people, especially young people.   Tendency of Adventists is to not trying something not familiar to their culture.  We need to encourage our 3rd and fourth generation Adventists to broaden their choices of occupation and interests.  If Adventists stays within their narrow world, they will end up narrow minded, biased and opinionated. After I graduated AU seminary and 20 and more years of ministry, one thing I still regret?  While I was one of the first teachers of  tennis served to immigrant community in southern California, I refused to get into golf teaching because I thought it was too much for Adventists to play golf.  My reasoning?  Why I would spend that much of time and money while I can better use of it.  And I felt it was a grave sin to play golf as an responsible Adventist.  Later I end up trying to catch up them later, and found it was too late to become the leader in that field.  I lost great opportunity being better witness.  If you have interest and talent in sports? Be the best and develop it to your potential.  It's much better than working in ministry where you might not called or talented.  whatever your choice is, may God bless you richly.

roger oh  [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]



2013/2/1 Joshua Pennerman <jos...@evandel.com>

IBF,

Back in the 1930s there was an Adventist Norwegian skier, I believe his name was Hagen, who rose to the top of his sport and was responsible for changing ski jumping from a Saturday to a Sunday sport because he would not jump on the Sabbath and other ski jumpers craved the opportunity to jump against him in competition.

Josh

**By his intellect, man knows truth from falsehood, a
distinction

which applies in all intellectual activities.**   Moses

Maimonides 

On 2/1/2013 9:37 AM, IBF Assuming wrote:

[Luthando Jeff]

It is not acceptable for an Adventist to partake or participate in any kind of sport because they all (sports) represent sun worship. All sports are dedicated to the deities of the pagan world, they all represent sun worship.

Luthando Jeff [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]

[roger oh]

If you become the best of that field, they will want to see you play.  They will change the day to play and even pay you for appearing just like they do to Tiger Wood.  So develop your interest and talent without breaking Sabbath commandment.  You have better chance to excel in anything than others because you take Sabbath off and worship God in that day. 

I think Daniel was the example.  If he stayed in Judea, he would not noticed and naturally no chance for his serve as a prophet or teacher of the kingdom. I belive God of Adventists really want to force his people to be captive, lose what they are now and to be scattered to among heathens even today.  Why?  Because the people to be the light of the world is not accomplishing their calling.  Maybe Adventists are good among themselves or in the sense of talking and preaching, but actually they are not good for anything.  Nobody knows them or listen to them as long as they stayed within themselves. We cannot say we accomplished our calling mere talking and stayed away from people of the world.  Do you know one really keep the Sabbath holy and meaningfully when he was challenged or forced to choose? 

We Sabbath keepers are generally bored and lost it's meaning because there is no challenge.  We attend church school, work in the church and praise our sincerity to God's law.  Actually if you one time severely tested and challenged in terms of job, war, public pressure, then you would learn what you were missing.

roger oh [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]


2013/2/1 Joyce Griffith <ho...@mindspring.com>

Can you think of any competitive sport that does not have championship and other competitive games on Sabbath? Or is performing to win a trophy or other recognition more important than Sabbath keeping? Hard questions. I’d like to see an Adventist competitor excel in a sport­and keep the Sabbath. If that can be done, terrific!

 

Joyce Griffith

 

From: Sylvia [ mailto:gsmi...@cogeco.ca]

Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 4:21 PM

To: Ssnet...@andrews.edu

Subject: Re: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports

Being a high profile sports figure will be a good opportunity to witness for God.  There would be some times one would  have to stand up for your standards and beliefs.  I do not feel it is wrong for a sound Seventh day Adventist to excel in the sports world.

Sylvia Smith 

[Joshua Pennerman]

I have a dear friend who some six decades ago turned his back on a baseball pitching career, which he had good reason to believe could have taken him to the major leagues, because of the Sabbath issues.  He subsequently spent over four decades in the service of the church at high administrative levels.  He is very happy for the decision he made as a youth.

Josh

**By his intellect, man knows truth from falsehood, a distinction
which applies in all intellectual activities.**   Moses
Maimonides 

 

Joyce Griffith

 

[Aerokhanas GLAA]

In the Feb. 4 issue is a great article in Sports Illustrated,"In the Fields of the Lord." The Article is talking of the increased number of christian football players and how many football players seem to bring their religion on the field. It is an eye opener. The author, Mark Oppenheimer makes a case that, can Christians play the game and still be consistent in in their Christianity on the field? He has many eye opening statements relating to Football and to professional competitive sports in general. And this is in one of the most widely read sports magazines. You'd almost believe that he was brought up Adventist some 30 years ago with our traditional view of competitive sports.  One of his quotes is from Dr. Sharon Stoll of the University of Idaho who has been doing studies on athletes and their moral reasoning. I had the privilege of hearing her at a AAPHER convention at SWAU in 2007. Her studies show that the longer an individual is in competitive sports the lower they score in moral reasoning such as fair play and sportsmanship. The author also quotes her in his article. I'm not an avid fan of Sports Illustrated, nor am I encouraging anyone to be one. But this article is one that we as Adventists, who are continuing to head in the direction of athletic competition, should read.

Here is a great quote from this article, "But here's the catch: Jesus' message is not exactly neutral toward winners and losers. The Bible is clear that he preferred the loser. The Bible is filled with passages that extol the weak over the strong, and the poor at the expense of the rich. For that matter the Bible also instructs us to keep the Sabbath day holy. And theologians and clergy would agree, almost unanimously that showering men with tens of millions of dollars in a culture rife with temptations is a recipe for sin and corruption, deeply corrosive to their spiritual lives,not to mention the marriages they are trying to keep intact", end of quote. Even though the author is not a SDA, the

Sabbath can be an issue.  Something indeed to think on.

Tedd Webster

---

Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2013 18:22:00 -0500
To: Ssnet...@andrews.edu
From: del...@gmail.com
Subject: Re: SSNET: 00: Sabbath and Sports


I think the question you're trying to ask is whether or not it's excusable to engage in a career activity on the Sabbath and spend countless hours training, traveling, and sacrificing time to tennis life. The question is NO! However, being a tennis player will not condemn you.The Bible says: "But seek first the kingdom of God ...." And it also says "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." How does one reconcile these two texts, considering the question at hand .... We must work to take care  our families and ourselves. So, to have a career is a Christian virtue. But the manner in which we approach our work makes the difference. Is God and his statue first while we conduct our jobs? Be they: lawyer, police officer, doctor, engineer, chef, or athlete, we must walk in the marvelous light that God has given us. If we accept employment, knowing that God's law must be broken to accomplish certain tasks then we allow sin to enter, and God is not first. We make our career an idol. And there is no excuse for the knowing Christian to put anything before God.

So, the choice is yours. If you can be a professional tennis player without walking contrary to the Law (giving more time to secular activities, than to spirituality - God), you should enjoy a career as an athlete. But, the life of an athlete is a jealous one. It requires more time then you can probably give, to be any kind of decent athlete, enough to make a career that is.

Delenor Monroe  [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]

[Sylvia]

Being a high profile sports figure will be a good opportunity to witness for God.  There would be some times one would  have to stand up for your standards and beliefs.  I do not feel it is wrong for a sound Seventh day Adventist to excel in the sports world.

Sylvia Smith 

[Joshua Pennerman]

IBF,

Back in the 1930s there was an Adventist Norwegian skier, I believe his name was Hagen, who rose to the top of his sport and was responsible for changing ski jumping from a Saturday to a Sunday sport because he would not jump on the Sabbath and other ski jumpers craved the opportunity to jump against him in competition.

Josh

**By his intellect, man knows truth from falsehood, a distinction
which applies in all intellectual activities.**   Moses
Maimonides 

On 2/1/2013 9:37 AM, IBF Assuming wrote:

[nndlo...@gmail.com]

I don't see anything wrong but you will be faced by sabbath challenges. As long as you won't be required to play on Sabbath, which I doubt its ok. I wouldn't advise my kids to take up sport as a career because they will end up compromising the sabbath law.Thanks

Noma
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

From: IBF Assuming <fran...@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:37:50 -0500
To: <ssnet...@andrews.edu>

[Delenor Monroe]

I think the question you're trying to ask is whether or not it's excusable to engage in a career activity on the Sabbath and spend countless hours training, traveling, and sacrificing time to tennis life. The question is NO! However, being a tennis player will not condemn you.The Bible says: "But seek first the kingdom of God ...." And it also says "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." How does one reconcile these two texts, considering the question at hand .... We must work to take care  our families and ourselves. So, to have a career is a Christian virtue. But the manner in which we approach our work makes the difference. Is God and his statue first while we conduct our jobs? Be they: lawyer, police officer, doctor, engineer, chef, or athlete, we must walk in the marvelous light that God has given us. If we accept employment, knowing that God's law must be broken to accomplish certain tasks then we allow sin to enter, and God is not first. We make our career an idol. And there is no excuse for the knowing Christian to put anything before God.

So, the choice is yours. If you can be a professional tennis player without walking contrary to the Law (giving more time to secular activities, than to spirituality - God), you should enjoy a career as an athlete. But, the life of an athlete is a jealous one. It requires more time then you can probably give, to be any kind of decent athlete, enough to make a career that is.

Delenor Monroe  [name added by moderator -- please remember to add your full name to each of your posts]



On Feb 1, 2013 12:50 PM, "IBF Assuming" <fran...@yahoo.com> wrote: