Muscular Christianity: Manhood and Sports in Protestant America, 1880-1920

by Clifford Putney

Dissatisfied with a Victorian culture focused on domesticity and threatened by physical decline in sedentary office jobs, American men in the late nineteenth century sought masculine company in fraternal lodges and engaged in exercise to invigorate their bodies. One form of this new manly culture, developed out of the Protestant churches, was known as muscular Christianity. In this fascinating study, Clifford Putney details how Protestant leaders promoted competitive sports and physical education to create an ideal of Christian manliness.

Genres: History, Gender, Christianity, Sports

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2001

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Because ‘body as temple’ theologians considered upkeep of the body a virtue and its neglect a sin, many came perilously close to calling musclemen saints and the sick sinners… At their most extreme, ‘body as temple’ men completely dropped the traditional Christian emphasis on confessing weakness in oneself and forgiving it in others. ‘The holy man must be a whole man,’ insisted Professor John Tyler of Amherst, because it was (in the words of G. Stanley Hall) ‘the supreme destiny of man’ to keep himself ‘always at the very tip-top of condition.’ The meek, who Jesus said shall inherit the earth, seemed not to count.” | Muscular Christianity provides detailed historical context for one very specific sector of American religiosity during one very specific period. The writing is heavily facts-driven and well cited. If you’re interested in modern social dynamics surrounding masculinity, Christianity, and American culture (as I am for my doctoral research,) this book provides a great backdrop for understanding present day ideology.

[Neil White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first encountered the term ‘muscular Christianity’ in a biography of Theodore Roosevelt, and I heard echoes of some similar questions which seem to be surfacing today being a part of the rhetoric of one hundred years ago. Clifford Putney’s Muscular Christianity is an adaptation of his doctoral dissertation for his PhD studies in American History at Brandeis University. Prior to the Civil War much of the population was still engaged in agricultural or manual labor, and during the Civil War men had demonstrated their manhood in military service. But in the years at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century the population began to move into the cities. As the culture and churches began to embrace more feminine and peaceful virtues there was an increased incidence of ‘neurasthenia’-the diagnosis of the day for hysteria, depression and anxiety. In Putney’s words, which could be echoed by many Conservative voices today, “If the immigrant, the city, and rural depopulation constituted the first three horsemen of the nativist apocalypse, many considered the “modern woman” to be the fourth.” (29) Yet, one critical thing to understand about muscular Christianity in the United States is that it was a progressive movement linked to political reformers like Theodore Roosevelt, and social gospel preachers like Walter Ruashenbusch. It was a response to the “spiritual blandness” and “moral impotence” (33) of the culture of the time. Muscular Christianity was less a theological movement than a cultural one attempting to recapture both participation from men in the life of the church but also attempting to rediscover a connection between the physicality of men and faith.
Although the YMCA existed prior to the emergence of muscular Christianity, it flourished and grew phenomenally during this time. The Boy Scouts and several other nature groups for boys and young men also emerged as a way for boys to return to nature and to build character in these boys. Yet, the movement also helped to reenergize the missionary movement in the United States, particularly in encouraging young men to consider being a missionary overseas. It also led to a parallel movement for women which led to the formation of organizations like the YWCA, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls.
The movement would decline in the aftermath of World War I, at least among liberal Christianity. Some of this was due to the poor reception of YMCA among soldiers serving in the war who were criticized of,” using up gasoline over here to warn us fellows against the skirts, when he ought to be down here in the trenches where he belongs or get the blazes our ‘o here.” (191) Many of these muscular Christians were divided on the war, some were passivists, others began to see the war as a moral crusade. Yet, by the end of the beginning of the 1920s the movement was in decline among mainline Protestant circles. However, by the 1930s it had moved into the fundamentalist churches which encouraged the development of Christian athletes establishing Youth for Christ (1945), the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (1954) and Athletes in Action (1966).
I find Clifford Putney’s exploration of this movement in Christianity and the broader culture a helpful historical perspective for our current moment. To see the concerns of a century ago reflected in slightly different language today is an opportunity to learn from the past. I find it encouraging that muscular Christianity was a progressive movement at the turn of the century and it gives me some hope that there can be a healthy masculinity that can be involved in attempting to make the world a better place. There was an anti-intellectualism that was present in the muscular Christianity of the 1880s until 1920, even though some of its practitioners were in elite education institutions, but it did lead to organizations that led to a rediscovery of nature, a president and others who created a national parks system, and a healthier approach of physicality for both men and women. When culture and religion can feel bland or impotent for its detached intellectualism, those who explored the strenuous life promised by muscular Christianity sought a more embodied solution. Those solutions would need to look different today than a century ago, but it is helpful to realize that many of the questions and fears of today have been a part of our society and religious spaces before.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presents the relationships and mechanisms that positioned churches to influence men outside of Sunday services. Reviews not only the YMCA but other men-only institutions and rituals.

[H.C. Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★☆

"Muscular Christianity, Manhood and Sports in Protestant America" is a thought-provoking work that delves deep into the intricate relationship between religion, masculinity, and sports within the framework of American history. A required reading during my college years, the book does an excellent job dissecting the ideology of 'Muscular Christianity'—an ideology that remains surprisingly relevant in contemporary society.

The book's exploration of the historical concept of 'Muscular Christianity' is particularly enlightening. It sheds light on how this ideology has been repackaged and sold to young men in America today by figures such as Jordan Peterson. This ideology, steeped in notions of masculinity and religion, resonates with those feeling disillusioned and seeking a sense of purpose or direction.

However, while the book provides an in-depth understanding of the beliefs surrounding masculinity and religion, it occasionally lacks the necessary nuance to explore the complexity of these ideologies fully. This minor shortcoming, however, does not significantly detract from the overall impact of the book. Many, including myself, have often been baffled at the seemingly incompatible relationship between Masculinity, religion, and sports, and this work does a good job of showing it from the "inside."

In conclusion, "Muscular Christianity, Manhood and Sports..." is a worthy read for anyone interested in understanding the historical and ongoing intersection of masculinity, religion, and sports in America. Although it might not provide all the answers, it certainly poses the right questions and prompts critical thinking about societal norms and beliefs.

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read that examines the rise of "muscular Christianity" in America and how that shaped our ideologies, beliefs, and institutions. In particular, many of the predominant cultural ideas about masculinity we have today emerged primarily from this movement that was heavily influenced by Christianity, race theory, and American exceptionalism. Though the religious discourse and overt race theory has mostly disappeared in today's fitness and sport movements, many of these ways of thinking still dominate how we structure discourse and institutions. Reading this will give you a whole new understanding of how we construct masculinity, as well as the sport/fitness "industrial complex" that now plays major cultural and economic roles.

[Hoyden · Rating 5 out of 5]

ever wonder why we have ESPN? ever notice that in church there are some skinny, sad jesuses and then muscular, manly jesuses? what's the deal with the YMCA? read this book. :)

[Melissa Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a good read for a history class I read years ago. So all I can say is that it will provide good info on men and sports of the time period along with YMCA info.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at how the misogynist, fundamentalist form of Christianity has developed.