History of Muscular Christianity
Introduction: What is Muscular Christianity? After reading this paper you will have a good idea of what this philosophy is. You will also know when and where it came from, what beliefs it was based on and why it became significant. I will also get into the important institutions that make these ideas spread as fast as they did. Closer to the end I will talk about Muscular Christianity’s implication in our world today. First things first, let me start from the beginning.
Paragraph one: Muscular Christianity is a commitment made by Christians to health, manliness and also to their faith. It is built on the concept that it builds strong character and well being in males. Its origins can be traced back to the New Testament relating to manly exertion and physical health but the term Muscular Christianity did not arise until the Victorian era in the 1850s (1). Muscular Christianity first started in the Anglican Church when it was thought to be weakened by asceticism and effeminacy and the leaders decided to outfit it with more masculine qualities. This concept was first termed “Muscular Christianity” in a novel review by Charles Kingsley. It was then used shortly after by Thomas Hughes in another novel review. Both of these reviews were published in 1857 in England. Thomas Arnold, who was the headmaster of a rugby school, started putting athletics into the broader school system and from there it flowed into the culture. Charles Kingsley was the first person to classify this concept as Muscular Christianity and is considered to be the one who coined the phrase.
Paragraph two: Muscular Christianity is based on the beliefs that men not only need to be faithful to God but also need to be healthy and manly as well. Another belief is that participation in sports would contribute to the development of Christian morality and a manly character. People believed that it was a good thing to have well exercised and strong bodies. Muscular Christians also thought the man’s
Paragraph one: Muscular Christianity is a commitment made by Christians to health, manliness and also to their faith. It is built on the concept that it builds strong character and well being in males. Its origins can be traced back to the New Testament relating to manly exertion and physical health but the term Muscular Christianity did not arise until the Victorian era in the 1850s (1). Muscular Christianity first started in the Anglican Church when it was thought to be weakened by asceticism and effeminacy and the leaders decided to outfit it with more masculine qualities. This concept was first termed “Muscular Christianity” in a novel review by Charles Kingsley. It was then used shortly after by Thomas Hughes in another novel review. Both of these reviews were published in 1857 in England. Thomas Arnold, who was the headmaster of a rugby school, started putting athletics into the broader school system and from there it flowed into the culture. Charles Kingsley was the first person to classify this concept as Muscular Christianity and is considered to be the one who coined the phrase.
Paragraph two: Muscular Christianity is based on the beliefs that men not only need to be faithful to God but also need to be healthy and manly as well. Another belief is that participation in sports would contribute to the development of Christian morality and a manly character. People believed that it was a good thing to have well exercised and strong bodies. Muscular Christians also thought the man’s