5. Revived from ancient origins, modern Olympics are
haunted by the ideals of that primitive and violent time.
The original Olympics began in Olympia in 776 B.C. They
celebrated the many gods by staging violent athletic
competitions (deaths were common).
Opportunities abounded for trade and commerce, while
onlookers watched naked athletes' physiques. Greek city-states
“united” under these festivals to the gods Zeus and
Poseidon. Lasting over a millennium, the games were
finally abolished by Emperor Theodosius (393 AD) because
they were too pagan.
Madanjeet Singh, The sun in myth and art (UNESCO,
1993): 87-88.
6. For example, the carrying of the torch in the
Olympic games is a symbol of the sun. Sport
from ancient times was associated with sun
worship and the symbolism employed at the
modern games reenacts the victories of the
solar deities.
The sun, moon, and planets floating overhead
at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic games
reminded us that the sun’s association with
sports predates the deities Hercules and
Apollo, as is evident from the epic tale of the
Sumerian hero Gilgamesh:
7. The Sumerian Gilgamesh story inscribed in cuneiform tablets narrates how the sporting
equipment–a stick and a ring or ball–which Gilgamesh had carved out of an uprooted tree, had
fallen into the netherworld as he began oppressing his people by repeated athletic
competitions, and how eventually it was the sun god who opened a hole in the ground in order
to recover them. The Olympic torch, which the runner carries to mark the sun’s cyclic
movement throughout the “Olympiad”, the four-year period until the next games, is also
related to the sun’s cyclic rhythm. First celebrated in Greece, the games were ceremonial
contests in honor of Zeus.ii
General history of the Olympics can be found at the following locations online: Ancient History:
Olympics and Christianity Today: Revisting the Pagan Olympic Games, and from Stephen G.
Miller, Ancient Greek Athletics (Yale University Press, 2004).
8.
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18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23. What's so wrong with a having church basketball team [competitive
sports] to reach the youth? Praise dance? "Signing"? (YOU NEVER SAW
CHRIST PROMOTING COMPETITION)
"CHRIST'S METHOD ALONE will give true success in reaching the
people." ~Ministry of Healing, 143.
The Spirit of RIVALRY is from whom?
The Testimony of Jesus says:
"This spirit of RIVALRY is NOT FROM God, but from beneath." ~
Manuscript Releases Volume Fourteen [Nos. 1081-1135], Page 290
“The leaven of TRUTH, hidden in the heart, WILL NOT PRODUCE THE
SPIRIT OF RIVALRY, the love of ambition, the desire to be first [like
Lucifer].” ~ Sermons and Talks Volume Two, Page 115
24. Philippians 2:3 “Let NOTHING be done through
STRIFE or VAIN GLORY; but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem other BETTER than themselves.”
25. strife [strahyf] Show IPA
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/strife?s=t)
noun 1.vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism: to be at
strife.
2.a quarrel, struggle, or clash: armed strife.
3.COMPETITION or RIVALRY: the strife of the marketplace.
4.Archaic. strenuous effort.
Synonyms for REVIVALRY:
Competition
Opposition
Competitiveness
Enmity
Conflict
Challenge
Jealousy
26. Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith,Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law.
James 3:16
For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work.
27. P. R. I. D. E
The athlete, once
engaged in competition
begins to feel PRIDE which
is defined as “Satisfaction
with ones own
achievements”
28. Proverbs 13:10 “Only
by PRIDE cometh
contention…”
1 John 2:16 “For ALL that
is in the world, the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of
the eyes, and the PRIDE
of life, is not of the
Father…”
29. James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the
sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
30.
31.
32.
33. "SATAN has devised a multitude of ways in which
TO KEEP MEN FROM SERVING GOD. HE HAS
INVENTED SPORTS AND GAMES, into which
men enter with such intensity that one would
SUPPOSE A CROWN OF LIFE was to reward the
winner. At the horse races and FOOTBALL
matches, which are attended by thousands and
thousands of people, lives for which Christ shed his
blood are thrown away. ~The Testimony of Jesus
Himself, Review and Herald, 1907.
34. “I was told by my GUIDE : “Look ye, and behold the
IDOLATRY OF MY PEOPLE, to whom I have been speaking,
rising up early, and presenting to them their DANGERS . I
looked that they should bring forth fruit.” There were some
who were striving for the mastery, EACH TRYING TO
EXCELL THE OTHER in the swift running of their bicycles.
There was a SPIRIT OF STRIFE and CONTENTION among
them as to which should be the greatest. The SPIRIT WAS
SIMULAR TO THAT MANIFESTED IN THE BASEBALL
GAMES on the college ground. Said my GUIDE: “THESE
THINGS ARE AN OFFENSE TO GOD. Both near and afar
off souls are perishing for the bread of life and the water
of salvation.” ~Testimonies for the Church Volume 8, Page
52
Rivalry is of Satan Himself—He started the first rival in
heaven.
35. The true Christian will not desire to enter any
place of amusement or engage in any diversion
upon which he cannot ask the blessing of God. He
will not be found at the theater, the billiard hall,
or the bowling saloon. He will not unite with the
gay waltzers or indulge in any other bewitching
pleasure that will banish Christ from the mind.
{AH 515.4}
