My Journal

This is made due to Pastor Dan of Crossroads' sermon on Numbers.

The first time I heard of a theological discourse on playing golf, was from Stephen Tong in one of his lectures (on Creation I think). It was brief. It was Nay, when someone invited him to a golf course. It's destruction of nature for the pleasure of a few rich men.

Here, I am doing a deeper digging after seeing a few posts on Facebook of Christian folks enjoying their golf games.

This is a survey only on golf. Not a generalization of sports nor how to use sabbath.

Golf began as gambling historically, A Scottish origin 1500s. Its history was not a good start if you consider the 8th & 10th commandment (do not steal, covet). Possibly fostering unspiritual rage: Induces a pathological obsession with controlling every microscopic variable—the grain of the grass, the speed of the green, the exact angle of a club face.

It's more of an entertainment than any other function.

The general golf course would break Genesis 2:15 - destruction of God's creation for mere entertainment is sinful. Violation of biblical stewardship for indulgent luxury.

Wastefulness of water for the green drains local communities.

Waste of time: Golf window - length of time (4-5 hours in a single round).

Waste of space: Golf demands private, curated fiefdoms.

Chemical pesticides poisons nature.

Reshaping large landscape for vanity.

Solitary delusion - It's not a spiritual experience in solitude as some golfers would argue, but more of a cult (worship) of the self, in an artificial "Eden".

Last but not least, golf is one of the few sports I see keeping fat people.

Puritan principles on Leisure - Readings by Google AI:

"Directions About Sports and Recreations" by Richard Baxter: Found within his massive Christian Directory, this is the definitive Puritan text on leisure. Baxter carefully outlines which sports are permissible and when they become sinful, arguing that leisure should restore vigor, not exhaust the mind or drain one's resources. [1, 2, 3]
The Redemption of Time by Richard Baxter: This treatise emphasizes the stewardship of time, warning believers against worldly distractions, idle chatter, and purposeless entertainment. You can study the full context of his works via the Practical Works of Richard Baxter Index on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. [1, 2]
The Saints' Everlasting Rest by Richard Baxter: While primarily focused on eternal life, this work frequently contrasts earthly, fleeting pleasures with the ultimate, perfect rest found in God. [1, 2]

After watching the miniseries Who is Erin Carter? (2023) on Netflix, I thought to myself, you know, the successes of man, whether achieved legally or illegally, are actually the same thing when viewed in light of Genesis 11, 2Timothy 3 (particularly 2Tim 3:5).

The glory is for the self, not for God. Men who call themselves Christians may some of them utter the password: "Glory be to God" but everyone around them sees there's no giving glory to God but themselves. Some men would be more honest, not daring to invoke God's name like that, but still try to prove themselves, in order to keep their "Christian" title or just to have some kind of humble moral diploma stamped in their lives, would donate to charity, volunteer at soup kitchen, host small group Bible study at their homes, becoming pastors. Nevertheless, they do not truly care about the Gospel. The Gospel is a tract for them to keep in their own pockets as a just in case that they could take the tract out in Heaven as evidence of their salvation.

No, those who look after themselves, they do not desire to live with God. They prefer God as only the source of their blessings, not the Creator, not the Father whom they would have personal relationship with.

These, I have no interest to talk to about religion or faith. I am only interested to talk about the Bible, about God, to non-Christians and those who live a Gospel-centered life. Not those who do "Christian" things (i.e. going to church, joining/hosting Bible study groups, etc.) yet are selfish. For they are succeeding in their own peril, like the show's (Who is Erin Carter) depiction of the West, that a mother, Lena (the West) has reached a depravity, despite her ability to love, must give up the daughter she love. And someone else (Kate/Erin) who has adapted to her culture is now apt to take over the role of motherhood for the daughter (Harper). Their love for "Christian things" is futile. God will use it only to their own peril, for the benefit of the others who truly

Worship, Fellowship, Evangelization. I believe anything (i.e. networking, charity, fun, supporting missions, etc.) that is brought up higher than these three, would be the downfall of a church even if she can last a long time and increase in number.