Theology of the Body

Mondays, July 6 – August 10, 2026, 6 – 7 PM CT 

This six-lesson course examines sport through the lens of the Christian Theology of the Body, inviting participants to see athletics not merely as competition or entertainment, but as a profound arena of spiritual formation. Together, we explore the body as a gift from God, the role of discipline in shaping virtue, the temptation to idolatry in performance-driven culture, the power of teamwork and community, the meaning of sacrifice and suffering, and the theological significance of male and female embodiment in competition. Rooted in Scripture and Christian anthropology, the course equips believers to engage sports—whether as athletes, parents, coaches, or fans—with deeper wisdom, gratitude, and faith, recognizing that the playing field can become a place where embodied life points beyond itself to Christ and the hope of resurrection.

Course Objectives:

• Develop a Biblical Theology of the Body and Sport 
  •  Participants will articulate how Scripture and Christian anthropology (especially the Theology of the Body) provide a coherent framework for understanding athletics as an expression of embodied life, sexual difference, discipline, suffering, and resurrection hope.
• Cultivate Spiritual Discernment in Athletic Culture 
  •  Participants will learn to identify both the formative power and the spiritual dangers of sport—recognizing opportunities for virtue, community, and worship while resisting idolatry, identity distortion, and cultural confusion about the body.
• Integrate Faith and Practice in Real-World Contexts 
  •  Participants will apply theological insights to concrete settings—as athletes, coaches, parents, and fans—so that training, competition, leadership, and spectatorship reflect gratitude, integrity, compassion, and a Christ-centered understanding of embodied life.

Individuals affiliated with eligible preferred partner organizations receive exclusive tuition discounts for Concordia Nebraska Studia Vitae courses. Please visit cune.edu/partnerdiscount to view a list of current preferred partners and verify your membership to receive your discount code.