What does faith have to say about today’s sports culture?

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: info@denisonforum.org
• 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 church. Utilizing the biblical insight and practical wisdom that guided his three pastorates, Bobby's retirement now focuses on the encouragement and motivational enrichment of student-athletes, coaches, and leaders. Bobby and his wife, Patti, have been married for 42 years and are the proud parents of a daughter and a son, and the prouder grandparents of two grandkids.

About Dr. Ryan Denison

Dr. Ryan is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum and the author of The Focus newsletter, contributing writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from B. H. Carroll Theological Institute and an MDiv from Truett Seminary. Ryan has also taught at B. H. Carroll and Dallas Baptist University. He and his wife, Candice, live in East Texas and have two children.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.