*****
In the February 4, 2013, cover story of Sports Illustrated titled "Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?", writer S.L. Price quotes Dr. James (Jim) Kok.At the time, Dr. Kok was the pastor of Care Ministries at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.
He provided a theological perspective on whether the Creator of the universe is invested in the outcome of a football game.
The Quote and Context
In the article, which centered largely on the intense faith of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis leading up to Super Bowl XLVII, Dr. Kok is quoted offering a grounded counterpoint to the idea of divine intervention in sports.
He suggested that God is NOT
a "micro-manager" of athletic events, stating: "The idea that God is helping one side win over the other is a very primitive way of looking at God. It's like a child's view."
Key Takeaways from the Article:
* The Conflict: The piece explored the tension between players who believe God grants them victory as a reward for faith (like Ray Lewis) and theologians who find that idea problematic.
* Kok's Perspective: Dr. Kok argued that while God cares deeply about the people playing—their character, their safety, and their hearts—He does not care about the point spread or which team raises the Lombardi Trophy.
* Ray Lewis vs. Theology: The article contrasted Lewis's belief that "God has a plan" for his specific victory with the views of leaders like Kok, who believe that human effort and physics determine the game, while faith determines how one handles the result"
The result
The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII (47) in 2013, defeating the San Francisco 49ers with a final score of
34–31
Ray Lewis's Final Ride: This was the final career game for legendary linebacker Ray Lewis, who retired immediately after the win
The "Effort and Performance" Factor
Despite his public religious comments, Lewis clarified his stance during the Super Bowl Media Day. When asked if he believed God actually picks a winner in a football game, he said:
"No, I don't believe He picks a winner or not." He explained that faith provided the mindset, but the performance came from the players: "If you come out and give everything you got, that's all you have to do. Whatever happens after that, it happens."
