Books and Publications
Recent Book Publications
Paul Emory Putz, The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports (Oxford University Press).
In this book, FSI’s director traces the rise of the Christian athlete movement in the United States from the 1920s onward, showing how it created a thriving subculture that shapes both sports and religious life today. Putz’s book was awarded the prestigious 2025 Brewer Prize from the American Society for Church History, which honors a work of outstanding scholarship in the history of Christianity by a first-time author.
Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports (David C. Cook)
Co-author Brian Smith began working on this book during his time in Truett’s MA in Theology and Sports Studies program. It provides an essential resource and guide for Christian parents and pastors who want to make the most of the youth sports experience for their children and family.
Selected Articles
Brian K. Gamel, “The Victory of the Slaughtered Lamb: A Theology of Winning (and Losing) for Christian Athletes,” Religions (2023)
Paul Emory Putz, "Tracing the Historical Contours of Black Muscular Christianity and American Sport," The International Journal of the History of Sport (2022)
Elizabeth Bounds, "Soul-Training: The Why, What, and How of Spiritual Formation in Sports," Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies (2022)
Authors and scholars listed above include:
- Paul Putz, director of FSI since 2024 and program director for the MA in Theology and Sports Studies at Truett
- Brian Gamel served as FSI’s Postdoctoral Fellow from 2020 through 2023
- Elizabeth Bounds graduated from the residential sports ministry/chaplaincy program at Truett Seminary. She served on staff with FSI before pursuing a PhD in psychology.
- Brian Smith graduated from Truett’s MA in Theology and Sports Studies degree program in 2024.