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After living in Atlanta highlights of the Olympic done for their honor.

On the
during the recent celebration of (james as celebrated in (jreece fifth and final day of the
the Centennial Olympic from c. 776 BC to AD 393. (james, each of the victorious
(james, I have a better This information is widely athletes exchanged the palm
appreciation of the apostle available so I will only provide branch that had been awarded
Paul's emotional state as he
a brief summary.' to them after their individual
witnessed firsthand the depth of
THE OLYMPIAD honored
contests for a wreath of wild
Athenian idolatry. As you will
the chief of the pantheon of
olives. This exchange linked
see, my concerns are not the
(jreek gods, Zeus. Sacrifices
the victors with the gods.
traditional ones: enormous cost
and oblations were offered in THE OLYMPIAD could
and inconvenience,
his honor on the first day of the not begin until the athletes,
commercialism, or terrorism. I
event. The third day of the their families, and trainers
am convinced that these (james
Olympics was considered the "raised their hands over the
are an attack upqn the kingdom
most important. It began with entrails of a sacrificed pig and
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
an official sacrifice to Zeus. swore a solemn oath. They
Though my position is an The participating city-states . vowed that they had observed
admittedly unpopular
all the rules for training
one, I cannot keep for at least ten months
silent. Every faithful
and that they would use
child of the King must no unfair means to win
boldly stand for His at the games."
interests and Lordship
THE OLYMPIAD
against those who refuse
concluded with a great
to recognize His claims.
banquet for the victors.
The Major Sins of the The animals that had
Modern OlympiC Movement
then presented valuable gifts to
been sacrificed to Zeus on the
The modem Olympic
third day were eaten by the
him in token of their faith in
movement is guilty of three
and loyalty to the (jreek gods.
athletes. The banquet hall
leading sins that should be
THE OLYMPIAD
often resounded with songs
exposed by all Christians;
attempted to bring at least
honoring Zeus and the many
idolatrous roots, dreams of .
temporary peace between the
other (jreek gods.
Christless world peace, and
warring (jreek city-states.
THE OLYMPIAD was
commitment to secular
Several months before the
finally outlawed by Theodosius
humanism as an international
event, heralds were sent
I in AD 393; Theodosius I was
religion. I will demonstrate
throughout the region. They
a pious emperor who held to
these sins by reviewing the
announced the approach of the
the Nic.ene faith. Citing pagan
history, rhetoric, and rituals of .
(james and called for a
idolatry as his chief motivation,
the (james and then provide a
cessation of hostilities.
he banned the quadrennial
specific biblical response to
THE OLYMPIAD
celebration of the (jreek
each.
Olympiad. It was clear to him
celebrated the strength,
1. The Idolatrous Roots of
endurance, and beauty of man
that any union of Christianity
the Modern Olympic
through various athletic
with the spirit of Olympism
Movement
contests. Winning an athletic
was an impossibility.
It will be helpful at this contest was believed to be The recent celebration of the
point to present several pleasing to the gods and was Centennial Olympic (james
September, 1996 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 'i' 15
revealed an abiding connection
between the ancient Ciames
and the modem Olympic
movement I am not arguing
that because a given event
idea, ot practice .has
questionable .or evil origins,
modem expressions of it must
be evil as well. This is a
comm()n ethical fallacy
committed by many ChriStians
on subjects ranging from birth '
control &, Roll music.
Instead, I will demonstrate that
the modem' Olympic
movement is'
built upon the paganism and
idolally of the ancient Ciames.
Some of tlie 'names and rituals
may have changed their form,
but there is ideological
continuity between the two
events' that is impossible to
miss . .
THE OLYMPIC torch was
lit in Cireece at the sight of the
ancient Ciames, thus stressing
the historic and ideological
continuity between the two
events. The worship of man's
power, determination, and
goals in honor of the gods is at
the heart of both events. .
THE OLYMPIC opening
ceremony expllcitly honored the
memory:of Zeus, for whose ' .-
glOJythe ancient Ciames were ;
celebrated. Various. other lesser
"spirits" or gods were
theatrically represented and
invoked as the source of
blessing, peace, and prosperity
during the games.
THE OLYMPIC oath was
taken by every athlete. It must
be stressed that the oath .is
sworn to the gods of the
culture, then to Zeus, now, to
man and sport. Eachvictorious
athlete is elevated to the statuS
of "god of the day." He is the
focus of the hopes and praises of
his particular counlly. In a few
instances, (In athlete gave
personal testimony to the grace
of Ciod. Sad.ly, this testimony
went unheeded by audiences
and media alike.
THE OLYMPIC opening
and closing ceremonies were
religio.us events celebrating the.
gods of our world:
internationalism, man,
, athletics, and world peace.
2. The Olympic Drea:m of .
Christless World Peace '
The OlympiC dream of
world peace is well
doCumented. Commenting on
the Olympic congresses held
throughout the early part of this
centul)', Qlympichistorian
Allen Ciultmann wrote: "Thes,e
congresses were occasions at
which the idealistic spokesmen
for internationalism gave voice
to their dreams of a more paCific
world unified by a common
commitment to amateur sport." 2
David Miller gave the
follOwing assessment of the
current International OlYmPiC
Committee: '1'he IOC, under
the guiding force of Samaranch,
is the most universal social ..
instrument of peacdn our
time.'"
The Olympic quest for
world peace may be seen in the
many rituals that always
accompany the Ciames.
4
16 THE COUNSEL of Cha\cedon September, 1996
THE OLYMPIC TORCH
"is intended to dramatite ' . '
connection and continuity .
through time and space: Its
journey throughout theVnited
States was publicized as a
means to bring local
communities together in a
common spirtt and support of
the Olympic celebratio.n, -:
THE OLYMPIC RINCiS
' were designed byCoubertin in
1914 as a representation of the
five continents and the col()r of '
their many national' flags.' The
message of the rings is clear: :
unity and peace will be . .
achieved when nationalism is'"
. abandoned in favor of the
world community.
THE OLYMPIC
. PROCESSION - parade
of national teams, begimlihg '
with Cireece and concluding .
with the host country, is
another symbol of international
cooperation." '. ' .'
THEOLYMP/C HYMN"
A we1hknown opera singer;
accompanied by afult choir, ...
gave an ode to the Olympic .
flame in which he Olympic
Ciames were lauded as "the
hopes of mankind." .
THE OLYMPIC DOVEs ;
The dove is ..
symb,ol for peace. Doves have
been released in evei)1 m()dern
Olympic Ciames. The release
of the Olympic doves is very
ironiC, at least from the
Christian perspective. When
Christ was baptized, the Holy
Spirit descended from heaven in
the form of a d()ve
r
;
signaling thatJehovah had Avery Brundage, fonner national representative mounts
intervened to bring salvation President of the IOC said, the victor's podium, when their
and peace through the Messiah.
. .
Olympism "is a religion with flag is raised, when their
In the Olympic cultus, man .
universal appeal which anthem is played, is to wonder
releases the doves heavenward,
incorporates all the basic values if nationalism - or sport - is not
symbolizing his ability to bring
of other religions, a modern,
the true religion of the modern
peace to the world through his
exciting, virile, dynamic
world:'5
personal efforts and programs.
religion:' (speech to the IOC)
A RELlC;IOVS ANTHEM
3. The Religious Humanism
Allen C;uttmann aptly
- Citius, Altius, Fortius - Faster;
of the Modern Olympic
summarized Brundage's
Higher; Stronger This year's
Movement
religious enthusiasm for the
version has been set to music
The modern Olympic
games: "Olympism was
by a popular singer. It is
movement has a specific
certainly superior to medieval
essentially an ode to man as he
religious faith in the beauty,
Catholicism and perhaps to
overcomes all obstacles in the
supremacy and ultimate
modern Christianity as well:'
pursuit of his goals.
triumph of the human spirit in
(The Olympics 104)
A Christian Response to the
the face of all obstacles. These Juan Antonio Samaranch,
Modern Olympic Movement.
words accurately summarize current President of the IOC -
How would Christ, the
fonner Atlanta Mayor Andrew "Olympism is a philosophy,
Head of the church and King
Young's address to the crowds which, by blending sport with
of the nations, have us respond
gathered at the Olympic culture, seeks to create a way of
to these three sins! He would
Centennial Park to remember life based on the joy found in
have us expose all idolatry as a
those slain and injured in the effort, the educational value of
violation of C;od's law and
tragic bombing. The leaders of good example, and respect for
precursor to C;od's further
the Olympic movement have universal ethical principles:'
judgment upon our once
freely expressed that Olympism (Olympic Revolution 237)
Christian nation (Exodus 20:3;
is a religious faith. Consider
There are other minor Revelation 19:15). Any
the following statements made
aspects of the C;ames which. worship or honorable
by former and current
reveal that they are a recognition given to pagan
presidents of the International
celebration of the religipn of religious traditions should be
Olympic Committee:
man, his accomplishments, and viewed as an insult to the only
Baron Pierre de Coubertin, his potential for dominion and C;od and Saviour, Jesus Christ
founder of the modem Olympic peace. (Titus 2:13). And though
movement in 1896, wrote: "For
A RELlC;IOVS OATH-
athletics certainly have a place
me, sport is a religion with
"For the glory of sport and the
in the Christian life, they
church, dogma, and ritual. "
honor of team:
should always be pursued to the
(Mevmoires Olympiques) In a
A RELlC;IOVS FESTIVAL
glOlY of C;od and the
radio address delivered in Berlin advancement of his kingdom
on August 4, 1935, he
- Pierre de Coubertin wrote that
(Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians
expressed his hope that the
the Olympics "are not simply
10:33). They must not be
upcoming Berlin C;ames would
world championships, they are
exalted to the status of national
be inspired "by religious
the quadrennial festival of
religion, which status they have
sentiment transformed and
universal youth:
certainly achieved in our
enlarged by internationalism A RELlC;IOVS culture, nor should athletes be
and democracy that distingUish EMOTION - 'To witness the viewed as supermen, i.e.,
the modern age." spectators' emotions when their demigods.
September, 1996 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 17
. World peace, moreover,' is;;, ' . Scnpture5peaks to submitted to the risen Christ, .'
the result of the progressive; : this point expliCitly. ' they do not'knowthe light and .
victorious march of the".: .. , Peate is alWays'vievied as scope of Christ's gospel because
kingdom of Christ through the resu!tofCiod'sblessing " we as individuals and churches
human history(lsaiah 9:7; . . upon his people as they believe' have not presented it to them
Psalm 7.2:3-7, Luke 2:14J.lt is ' his Word and obey his withgreateialacrify, boldness,
sinful to seek world peace,' : ' commandments- Numbers and biblical accuracy.
through "quadrennial festivals . 6:26, Psalm29:11, 119:1651' Christians must set an
of eternal Proverbs 3:2, Isaiah 32:17. . example for the world by;
ignore or repudiate, Christ and, . 54:13, 66:12; Roman .2;10. seeking peace in their personal
his gospeL Christians should Peate 'apart from' :' relationships and praying for
not jump on the bandwagons of . righteousness is a Vain the peaCe of the cities in which
such events or growfea,ry-eyed imagination and those who . they reside Ueremiah 29:7; ,
over the sinful, dreams of , seek itwiHbe completely Mark 9:50, Romans 14:19,
deluded men. The nat(ons win, , frustrated - Deuteronomy Hebrews .12:14), But peace .,
know peace only when they are . 29:19, 2 Kings 9:22; Isaiah ' " and unity is exi\ctly what does
converted to Christ's"gosp,el ,' , 33:7, . ," , . . ', .... not characterize many
(Isaiah 2:4; 11 :3-9). ' . ' branches of the visible
National and 'wofla , '.' . church. John Murray
peace is not a right; itls ahdworld pea,ce ;s not once wrote that a
a blessing that comes as ' a rIght; it isa b,lessil'lg ,that .' fragmente</ church is
we surrender to " comes as we surrender to Nprejudicial to the
Messiah the pnnce. Messiah the Prince:;; outreach
We must not forget ' to the world. N6 The .
that Christ came to personal prejudices,
bring the sword of judgment Peace is impossible for the . . neglect of truth, and lack of
upon the wicked (Matthew wicked - Isaiah 48:2.2; effortthat keeps the evangelical.
10:34). Those nations that . 57:19-21'; 5'9:8; Romans 3:17. church divided has left the
refuse to bow to his Claims will . qod'sgeneralplan 'is to curse world in the dark as to the
know his fierce WJ(!th at rebels in this life With misery, ' . proper path to peace .. Some
level of their existence (Psalm turbulence, and insecurity" profeSSing Christian
individuals, filled With
2,' lsa. iah 60,'12). The Chn'stian Church must . "
" ' . frustration in the face of
The recurring boycotts,
terroristic attacks, and .
nationalistic displays
throughout the last 1 OOyears of
the Olympic movement
demonstrate the foolishness of .
man's dreams foestilblish world
peace aPart from faith in arid
to)esus Christ. It is '
a deceftfUl fraud to hold out the
hope of to a people at war
with the liVing qOd Ueierriiah
6:14; 8:11-1.2, 14:13J4;
proclaim the gospel of Jesus .
mounting' cultu , ral evil. have
Christ and the blueprint of
Scripture as the only solution to resorted to 'violence. The
the insecurity, devastation, and . ideological seeds ofarrned
judgment facing our world. . revolution are constantly sown
, When we see oUT culture, and by agrowing number. It is oUr
what .is worse, our once Sinful fragmentation that is to
Southern culture, blame for the world's pursuit of
running after the myth of Christhiss peace. As Christ
Christless peace, we must prayea, the world will not
admit our failure tp obey the '. believe that he has been sent by
qreat Commission. Our world qod to redeem it until we are
is in the grip of a lie because UOhll1. 7: 21) . . ' ,
they dp not know and have not Christians have the duty to
" : . . - . . . ,. .
18 THE COUNSELof Septell1ber, 1996
maintain a rigid,
uncompromising attitude
toward the rival religions of
humanism and internationalism
(2 Chronicles 19:2; 2
Corinthians 6:16i. TIl is is no
time to cuddle up with the
unbelieving philosophies of our
day. This was the obvious
modus operandi for the
churches and politicians in
Atlanta. Churches celebrated
"Olympic Sunday." Politicians
invited the masses to pray "each
one to his own gods."
Athletes' testimonies replaced
Priest to cleanse our sins with
his precious blood. At the
same time, we must not allow
our mourning to paralyze us
with fear, despair, and
inactivity. Cienuine mourning
over sins, both our own and
those of others, will motivate us
to enter zealously into the great
work to which Christ calls us (2
Corinthians 7:8-11). Light
always scatters the darkness
(Matthew 5:16). The
preaching of the gospel is the
power of Ciod unto salvation
(Romans 1 :16). It will build
me as a telling indictment of
the faith and energy of the
modem Church. The world
has stolen this message from us!
But billions of people on this
planet are far more willing to
buy into the spirit and message
of the Olympic movement and
others like it than they are to
join the Church and embrace
Christ's plan for redemption
and peace. Why! Because the
Church of Jesus Christ does not
appear to believe, does not live,
and rarely speaks with
confidence about Christ's
the preaching of the victory in history over
gospel of Jesus Christ. sin and Satan, the duty
And tragically, the "Politicians'inviteathe of personal sacrifice for
Christian faith and its the kingdom of Ciod,
leaders in Atlanta came masses to and the glorious future
away without his owt1
n
ods. "" ' awaiting the nations as
distinguishing themselves ':J they progressively
from the religious 1--'-______ -'-____ ...... __ ... surrender to his
humanism celebrated by the the Church, overthrow Satan, Lordship. Nor does she warn
Olympics. In an effort to and convert the world! men of Ciod's temporal and
accommodate, they denied the (Matthew 16:18, 28:18-20; eternal terror that will be
Ciospel's demand of repentance Psalm 22:27; Romans 14:20) afflicted upon those men and
and exclusive faith in the Christ It will one day bring universal nations who refuse to bow to
(Mark 1 :15; John 14:6; Acts peace as the knowledge of the His reign. May Christ forgive
4:12). glory ofthe Lord covers the usfor betraying his cause,
This is a day for two
emotions in the Christian life:
deep mourning and increased
zeal for the kingdom of Ciod.
We must mourn for the
spiritual blindness of our nation
and dullness of our churches.
While Theodosius saw the
Olympics as an obvious
celebration of religious
humanism, our once Christian
land now enters gladly into
their observance. We must
confess our sins to Ciod and
beseech our merciful High
earth as the waters cover the awaken us to the power and
sea. The church and world will glory of his present reign, and
know that glorious day only strengthen us by his Spirit to
after many generations of Ciod's boldly proclaim the peace terms
faithful people commit of the King!
themselves unreservedly and
confidently to Christ and his
kingdom.
Conclusion
One could not tune in for
very long to the Olympic
television coverage without
being inundated with words
and images of victory, personal
sacrifice, and hope. This struck
tFOT much of the fcHewing information. r
have utilized the follOwing: Shirley Qlubok and
Alfred Tamann, OlympiC Qames in Ancient
Cireece (New York: Harper & Row, 1976).
IThe Olympics: A History of the Modem
Qames (Chicago: Vnlversi1y of Illinois Press,
1992). p, 28,
lOlympic Revolution (London: Pavilion,
1992). p, 258,
quotations are taken from
Quttmann's book. page 2.
2.
6Collected WrilinBs 2:335.
September, 1996 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon t 19

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