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Schedule
April 07, 2026
American Christianity and Big-Time Sports
When you watch a sports game, you see players give very clear displays of faith. How did religion become so entwined with big-time sports in America? On this edition of Equipped with Chris Brooks, Paul Putz will tell the story of how this thriving religious subculture came to be. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, don’t miss the next Equipped.
Featured resource:
The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports by Paul Putz
Also mentioned:
Away Game by Brian Smith and Ed Uszynksi
April thank you gift:
Equipped for Life: A 30-Day Devotional for Living with Courage and Compassion by Chris Brooks
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IN THIS EPISODE
Paul Putz
Paul Putz serves as program director for the Master of Arts in Theology and Sports Studies and as director for the Faith & Sports Institute at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Paul received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Grace University, where he played basketball. He went on to get a Ph.D. in history from Baylor. He has over a decade of experience as an educator in the high school and college classroom and his research and writing has been featured at Christianity Today, National Public Radio, Religion News Service, and more. His award-winning first book, The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports, was published in 2024 with Oxford University Press. His second book, Jesus and James Naismith (expected in early 2027, published by Eerdmans), explores the Christian history and meaning of basketball. Paul and his wife Bethany both grew up in small-town Nebraska before making Texas their home. They have three children and attend Mosaic Church in Waco.
Stay Connected
Chris Brooks
Chris Brooks is the senior pastor of Woodside Bible Church, a multisite congregation across the Detroit metropolitan area. Chris served for 20 years as the senior pastor of Evangel Ministries, a thriving 1,600-member church in the heart of Detroit. He also served as the campus dean of Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. A popular Detroit radio host since 2005, Chris is the author of Kingdom Dreaming and Urban Apologetics. He graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Finance, completed his MA in Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and graduated from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Yodit, are the proud parents of six children: Christopher, Zewditu, Cameron, Judah, Sophia, and Christyana.
Equipped with Chris Brooks
Equipped with Chris Brooks encourages you to grow spiritually, think critically, and live compassionately in your community. Interact with Chris as he empowers you to live out the gospel in a rapidly changing culture. This live, one-hour program, airing weekdays at noon CT, features special guests and welcomes your participation by calling in and by plugging in through social media.
© 2026 Moody Global Media, Moody Bible Institute