In response to Jonathan McKnight’s challenge, I am offering an outline treatise for the support of the Chicago Cubs. This is not a finished document, but I have taken liberty to create a brief summary of the biblical foundations extolling us all to "root, root, root for the Cubbies." You can offer your own theological reasons for support too… or you can challenge me if you are unbelieving… but if you have eyes to see and ears to hear, you could convert.
1. 1 Samuel 15:7. It’s said over and over, the Cubs of the past may not have looked pretty, but they had a heart that was beautiful to people that could see past the glitz of other teams.
2 The Stump of Jesse. You wouldn’t expect such power and consistent truth to be kindled in such a humble frame… and then ignite an undying fire that sweeps across the world.
3. Isaiah 53. People considered him smitten and afflicted by God… but it was the Lord’s good plan… When he sees all that is accomplished, he will be given honors of one who is mighty and great.
4. The Sling and the Stone. A good pitching staff can slay the opposition. Notice too that David had faith… backed it up with action… and then everyone else jumped on the bandwagon.
5. Samson and the Jawbone. He wasn’t perfect, but he did hit for a high average… and he led the league in slugging percentage too.
6. Revelation 9. Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a baseball that had fallen to Bartman from the sky, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. When he opened it, smoke poured out…
as though from a huge furnace, and the sunlight and air were darkened
by the smoke. Then Sosa came from the smoke and corked his bat,
sneezed too hard and left the clubhouse, and Steve Garvey ruined their
1984 postseason run, and no one helped Ernie Banks, and the people
suffered.
7. The Beattitudes. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will
be comforted. Blessed are those who are gentle and lowly, for the
whole earth shall beong to them. Blessed are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, for they shall receive it in full. Blessed
are those who are persecuted because they believed in the Cubs since
the first game they saw back in 1979. Be happy! Be glad! For a great reward
awaits you!
7. Creation, the Fall, and Redemption. God makes everything
good, we mess it up, God makes everything good again. In the first
part of the 20th century, the Cubs were the best team in baseball…
amassing victories and records that haven’t been broken still. Then
they fell into generations of wallow. God would occasionally raise up
a mighty warrior (eg. Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Ryne
Sandberg), but the people continued to succumb to failure. But the
time came for God to offer brilliant hope… a hope that had remained
throughout the misery of the past… a hope evident in the glorious ivy
of Wrigley… a hope that the Kingdom would one day shine again. This,
my friends, is the story of the Gospel.
8. Eschatological Victory. In the end, God makes everything
right. Those who got the mark of the Yankees were cast into the lake
of shame, and those who suffered and stayed true to the Cubs, rejoiced
forever.
9. 100 years. Not since 1908 have the Cubs won a World Series. Seems like there should be something biblical about this…
10. Psalm 22, 23, 24. The story of the Cubs is a living
metaphor for the heart of Scripture. And yes, when Ramirez drives in
Soriano for the game winning run in World Series, I will declare: "Open
up, ancient Wrigley gates! Open up, ancient doors! And let the King
of glory enter!"
UPDATE: I know many of you are still not convinced about the spiritual and theological overtones of the Cubs run this year… but follow this link and just listen to this Cubs die-hard, Pearl Jam front man, Eddie Vedder: “Someday We’ll Go All the Way.”
http://www.jeffvrabel2.com/veddercubs.mp3
UPDATE: Sept 20, 2008. The Cubs clinched their division (the 1st time in 100 years they’ve done it two years in a row, by the way)! They’re going to the playoffs!!
UPDATE: As of today, Sept 15, the Cubs are now 7 games ahead in their division, have the best record in the national league, and Carlos Zambrano just threw the first Cubs no-hitter since 1972!
Holy Cow!! They won last night! Still 4.5 games up!
I think the team is 2-8 since you posted this. Maybe you should put your hope in a team that’s won something in 100 years. Just look a little south…
Okay, since I wrote this wonderful theological support for the Cubs, they have lost all but 2 games. If you follow the “cubs” category link, you’ll see that this is a common pattern. I venture up the courage to proclaim my undying support, and they follow that up by goating.
Right on Dave!!
OK. I feel a need to support by brother in light of all the cub hating going on. A “cub” is a respected term in Scripture. Websters Dictionary defines a “Cub” as a young carnivorous mammal. God offers much blessing and guidance to young men (also carnivorous mammals). Thus, these blessing must also extend to the Cubs… right???
1. 1 Timothy 4:12. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example… [i.e., set an example by winning the World Series!]
2. 1 John 2:13b: I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. [I believe the Greek meaning of “evil one” is the Cardinals – whom we have whooped on all season]
3. Joel 2:28. And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons… will prophesy, … your young men will see visions. [Oh yeah! – visions of a World Series title!]
Matt, Jonathon, Chris… Thanks for the comments boys. The Cubs lost yesterday for the first time in 8 games. I suppose even the Israelites under King David (when things were going well) took a casualty or two every now and then. Matt, you have left perhaps the funniest comment ever on my site. Jonathon, you are just afraid to admit I might be right. Chris, you are a Cubs fan in your heart- you just don’t know it fully yet.
hey it let me post on your blog…this is the first time of many attempts….a new era has begun…
ken i am surprised that there is no reference to the scapegoat. there seems to be a strong theological connection here….
oh yeah..you are sick by the way.
yeah i see it’s REAL solid theology..No holes in it what so ever.
I loved the Cubs treatise. I feel like I now have a better understanding of the Cubs. I thought that they hadn’t won a world series in 100 years because of bad play, poor management, or a lack of motivation on the part of the ownership. However now I know that everything they have done has been to help us better understand scripture and how to live our lives. What a selfless crew those Cubs. However, I think they now have given enough and can just win the stupid thing.
That’s all you can say, Jonathan. If I’m so far off then you should fight for my soul, bro.
THATS SHOCKING! I’m praying for you brother!