The Olympics

This article came in my e-mail today and I thought it was pertinent to the events of the day. It goes into the origin of the Olympics and compares that to today's Olympics. It is a question asked by the people at Answers in Genesis (www.answersingenesis.org) followed by their answer. Did you know the first modern Olympics started in 1896 (my grandfather was six years old at the time!)? But Paul makes references to these games that were played by the Greeks. Here is the article on this:

Q: What do the Olympics have to do with God’s Word?

A: The modern version of the Olympic Games started in Athens in 1896, and although they have generated their share of controversy, the games were meant to foster cooperation, peace, and good sportsmanship. This is far different from the original Olympic Games, which started in 776 BC. These games began in Olympia, Greece, and were held in honor of Zeus. Rules were much different then, as many athletes competed in the nude, and in one event, pancratium, the goal was to box, kick, or wrestle one’s opponent until he submitted, fell unconscious, or died.
The Olympic Games grew rapidly in popularity, and before long similar competitions sprang up in ancient Greece: the games at Delphi in honor of Apollo (582 BC), the Isthmian Games near Corinth in honor of Poseidon (582 BC), and the games at Nemea to honor Zeus (573 BC). While these games were originally dedicated to pagan gods, Christians can use the Olympics as an opportunity to teach the truth.
As is true today, these contests were big business and a cultural phenomenon. So popular were these various competitions that the authors of the New Testament made several allusions to them as illustrations.

Here is the link to more of the article: London Olympics - Gospel at the games