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Boxing is where sporting culture lives on the raw edge, flirting with danger under the tight constraints of three-minute rounds, padded gloves, fighting rules, and learned technique. With every punch, we wonder why a brawl doesn't break out. But as every boxer knows, he who cannot master his heart, soul, and mind in the ring is doomed. Boxing, more than any sport but like them all, is about controlling the violence within.

If I have not made it clear, let me do so now: violence is not a strike against sport, but one of its enduring values. As sacred history shows—whether we are speaking of the Flood, the Exodus, the Exile, the Cross, or the final defeat of the Beast—redemption does not come without violence. How exactly controlled violence ennobles and redeems, however, is the subject of future columns.

Mark Galli is managing editor of Christianity Today. Play Ball appears every other Friday.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Other Play Ball columns include:

Should We Ban Boxing? | The usual arguments against the "sweet science" cut many ways. (Oct. 28, 2005)

Something Noble and Good | Professional sports is often boring, but real sports is not. (May 13, 2005)

The Lovely Paradox of NFL Draft Day | It's an event of biblical proportions—and wisdom. (April 29, 2005)

Negotiating Sunday Sports | This culture war was lost long ago. Now what? (April 15, 2005)

The Prodigal Sports Fan | There is hope for the idolater. (April 08, 2005)

The Thirst of the 24/7 Fan | Understanding the idolatry in sports. (March 01, 2005)

March Madnesses | The layers of insanity know no end—thank God. (March. 18, 2005)

Spectating as a Spiritual Discipline | For those who have eyes to watch, let them watch something more than highlight films. (March 11, 2005)

The Grace of Sports | If Christ can't be found in sports, he can't be found the modern world. (March 4, 2005)

Baseball Isn't Entertainment | The sooner we stop thinking sports are about the spectators, the more enjoyable the games will be. (Feb. 25, 2005)

Rooting for T.O. | Why Terrell Owens irritates most of us most of the time. (Feb. 11, 2005)

Freedom Between the Goal Posts | Sports is much more important than our culture lets on (Feb. 4, 2005)

Salt and Light in the Arena | It's going to take more than a few good Christians to clean up sports. (Feb. 18, 2005)

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November (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49