Episode
What does faith have to say about today’s sports culture?
- Published
- Feb 4, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3712
- Processing state
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Summary
In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Ryan Denison and Bobby Dagnel for a thoughtful conversation on the intersection of sports and faith. Together, they explore why sports hold such a powerful sway in our culture and how competition can reflect deeper themes of beauty, courage, sacrifice, and struggle that point beyond the game itself. The conversation touches on the rapidly changing landscape of modern athletics, including NIL contracts, the player transfer portal, and the growing concerns around sports gambling. Ryan and Bobby also reflect on the unique spiritual opportunities found in sports, how teams, locker rooms, and competition can become places of influence, character formation, and faithful witness. This wide-ranging and engaging discussion invites fans, athletes, and believers alike to consider how faith can shape the way we play, watch, and engage with the world of sports, and how God can be at work even in the arena. Topics (0:00) Introduction to Faith and Clarity (1:28) Meet the guests: Dr. Ryan Denison and Bobby Dagnel (2:41) Sports as a universal language (7:03) Bobby Dagnel’s journey as a sports chaplain (14:11) The global passion for sports (18:08) Theology of play and Sabbath (22:49) Sports metaphors in the Bible (29:11) The evolution of college sports (32:12) The impact of NIL on college athletes (35:31) The growing problem of sports gambling (41:57) Understanding the transfer portal (51:11) The role of faith in sports (56:14) Conclusion and final thoughts Resources National Collegiate Athletic Association Ask Us Anything: [email protected] Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe About Bobby Dagnel For over four decades, Bobby Dagnel has dedicated his life to serving the local churc…