"Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing."
Fields of God (Football and the Kingdom of God)
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Fields of God (Football and the Kingdom of God), Mark Roques, Authentic Lifestyle, Carlisle, 2003 ISBN 1-85078-506-6 (134 pages)
The blurb states "What is the 'Kingdom of God'? Is it all about souls and going to heaven? Is it all about church and church-based activities? Fields of God tackles these and other Kingdom issues in this colourful and entertaining book about football. Combining New Testament teaching with football fun, Fields of God presents a fresh and exciting interpretation of the gospel".
Football is seen as part of he creation and the problems in football - selfishness, greed, hatred etc are all the result of the fall. He sets out two possible worlds -the football world run from a kingdom of God perspective and run by sinful man. (page xiii). God is the Gaffer of Gaffers.
The author uses football situations to elucidate spiritual truth - a striker creating a goal out of nothing is a reminder of God's ex nihilo creation. A park player being visited by Sir Alex with an invitation to play in David Beckham's testimonial match is a picture of God's grace.
Graham Daniels says "I can confidently commend it as just the job for a teenager trying to understand the concept of kingdom of God". Duncan Banks says "Mark Roques has scored a winner with this unique book that blends what happens at 3.pm on a Saturday with what happens at 111am on a Sunday morning".
I am not so sure. I found it a "So what?" book with some clever lines and - quite a few less clever ones - rather than a book which absorbed my attention to its theme. He did at least include one of my books in his bibliography!
Not a must-read book.