Muscular Christianity: From Victorian England to Daboian America
A conversation with Dr. Charles “Hal” Wilson
Coined in 1850s England and then spreading to the United States, Muscular Christianity — the “Christian commitment to health and manliness” (Putney, 2003, p. 11) — has been simultaneously rejected and promoted since it first emerged. Victorian proponents argued that society at large, and the Christian church in particular, was in a crisis marked by poor physical fitness, changing masculinity, and waning church engagement. This crisis, they argued, placed the British empire and the Christian church at risk for decline and destruction. As a result, the idea now known as “Muscular Christianity” was born, and it soon spread to the United States. In contemporary America, similar issues remain volatile topics: poor physical fitness, changing concepts of masculinity, and declining church engagement. The modern answer? Organized sport. That said, it’s unlikely Victorian leaders could have envisioned the multibillion-dollar enterprise of sport in America, including at the collegiate level. One example is Clemson University Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney, who has been both vilified and lauded for his outspoken embrace of his Christian faith while leading Clemson football to national prominence and two national championships. Dr. Charles “Hal” Wilson joins Leigh this week to explore the genesis of Muscular Christianity in Victorian England and its current form in American sport.
(Photos © FreeImages/Patrick Ng, Matthew Bowden, and Jennifer Marr)
To skip the intro, fast forward to the 2:24 mark.
- 2:00pm Default User by Live
