The Sacred and the Sport: How Ancient Jews and Christians Viewed the Games

In this eye-opening episode, "The Sacred and the Sport: How Ancient Jews and Christians Viewed the Games," we delve into the largely negative perspectives that ancient Judaism and early Christianity held toward the Olympic Games. Far from being seen as mere entertainment, these games were viewed as pagan spectacles that clashed with religious values and moral principles.
Explore how ancient Jews and Christians criticized the Olympics for their associations with idolatry, excess, and the glorification of the human body at the expense of the soul. We’ll uncover the reasons behind their disapproval, the cultural and religious tensions that arose, and how these early views influenced the relationship between faith and sports for centuries to come. This episode offers a compelling look at how two of history’s great religious traditions stood in opposition to one of its most iconic events.