Date: April 28, 2025
This is a deeply self-indulgent commentary. I am sharing the news that the English soccer team that I follow has just won the premier league.
So, perhaps a little background is in order. Before leaving the UK for Hartford Seminary in 2001, I was the Liverpool Professor of Theology and Public Life. Luke (my son) and I had the privilege of being occasional ticket holders for games at Anfield. During the six years in Liverpool, we probably attended some 15 matches (and given the scarcity of tickets, that is quite an achievement). Luke and I became ardent supporters of Liverpool.
Like all supporters there are good times and harder times. In recent years, we did win the premier league but it was in the middle of COVID, when many matches were played to empty stadiums and the celebrations were very muted. We have had two seasons where we lost out by just one point, being pipped to the post by Manchester City. So, yesterday, as we beat Spurs 5-1, we had the satisfaction of reclaiming the title.
One last thought. Religion was prominent in yesterday’s game. Cody Gakpo, our forward, scored a great goal and removed his shirt to reveal a “I belong to Jesus” message. And later, Mohammed Salah, an extraordinary player, took the traditional Muslim posture as he scored his goal. Faith was alive and well, as my team won the League.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.