About the book
Randall Balmer was a late convert to sports talk radio, but he quickly became addicted, just like millions of other devoted American sports fans. As a historian of religion, the more he listened, Balmer couldn’t help but wonder how the fervor he heard related to religious practice. Houses of worship once railed against Sabbath-busting sports events, but today most willingly accommodate Super Bowl Sunday. On the other hand, basketball’s inventor, James Naismith, was an ardent follower of Muscular Christianity and believed the game would help develop religious character. But today those religious roots are largely forgotten.
Here one of our most insightful writers on American religion trains his focus on that other great passion—team sports—to reveal their surprising connections. From baseball to basketball and football to ice hockey, Balmer explores the origins and histories of big-time sports from the late nineteenth century to the present, with entertaining anecdotes and fresh insights into their ties to religious life. Referring to Notre Dame football, the Catholic Sun called its fandom “a kind of sacramental.” Legions of sports fans reading Passion Plays will recognize exactly what that means.
Editions of Passion Plays
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469670065
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469670089
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890861238
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469670072
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890861221
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781469674216
Read an Excerpt
Randall Balmer was a late convert to sports talk radio, but he quickly became addicted, just like millions of other devoted American sports fans. As a historian of religion, the more he listened, Balmer couldn’t help but wonder how the fervor he heard related to religious practice. Houses of worship once railed against Sabbath-busting sports events, but today most willingly accommodate Super Bowl Sunday. On the other hand, basketball’s inventor, James Naismith, was an ardent follower of Muscular Christianity and believed the game would help develop religious character. But today those religious roots are largely forgotten.
Here one of our most insightful writers on American religion trains his focus on that other great passion—team sports—to reveal their surprising connections. From baseball to basketball and football to ice hockey, Balmer explores the origins and histories of big-time sports from the late nineteenth century to the present, with entertaining anecdotes and fresh insights into their ties to religious life. Referring to Notre Dame football, the Catholic Sun called its fandom “a kind of sacramental.” Legions of sports fans reading Passion Plays will recognize exactly what that means.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Passion Plays about?
Randall Balmer was a late convert to sports talk radio, but he quickly became addicted, just like millions of other devoted American sports fans. As a historian of religion, the more he listened, Balmer couldn’t help but wonder how the fervor he heard related to religious practice. Houses of worship once railed against Sabbath-busting sports events, but today most willingly accommodate Super Bowl Sunday. On the other hand, basketball’s inventor, James Naismith, was an ardent follower of Muscular Christianity and believed the game would help develop religious character. But today those religious roots are largely forgotten.
Here one of our most insightful writers on American religion trains his focus on that other great passion—team sports—to reveal their surprising connections. From baseball to basketball and football to ice hockey, Balmer explores the origins and histories of big-time sports from the late nineteenth century to the present, with entertaining anecdotes and fresh insights into their ties to religious life. Referring to Notre Dame football, the Catholic Sun called its fandom “a kind of sacramental.” Legions of sports fans reading Passion Plays will recognize exactly what that means.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Passion Plays?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs
Where can I read a sample of Passion Plays?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469670065
How long is Passion Plays and how many pages does it have?
Passion Plays has 192 page(s)
Is Passion Plays part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series A Ferris and Ferris Book
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Passion Plays?
Randall Balmer
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Passion Plays is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469670065) and ebook(ISBN 9781469670089) and ebook(ISBN 9798890861238) and ebook(ISBN 9781469670072) and pdf(ISBN 9798890861221) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781469674216)
Where can I buy Passion Plays online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Passion Plays from below
Where can I buy Passion Plays?