The Gospel of Cricket: A Parable on Authority

by Mark D. Steele

Sometime in the middle of the last decade, two Americans were lost in a storm while attempting to sail their boat around the world. They ended up on a deserted island with only a few salvaged things from their wrecked boat. Interestingly enough, one of the things was a small, solar-powered, TV/VCR combination. On the island, they also found several previous shipwrecks.

First, they secured food and shelter. Then, they set out to explore. In an older shipwreck – they chanced upon a videotape. Given that their TV/VCR was the only electronic thing that they could make work (everything else was too damaged to work, even if they could figure out how to hook something else to the solar cells), they decided to see what was on the tape. As it turns out, the tape contained footage of two different cricket matches.

Cricket has always been a mysterious sport to Americans bred on baseball and our own version of football (with its rare contact between foot and ball). These two Americans were no exception. They had no concept of either the rules or strategies of cricket. As they were both bored sports lovers, they watched it anyway and decided to figure out the rules.

Within a week’s time, they had begun an argument. Each thought that he had clearly divined the rules of the game – but each had come up with different rules. When it came to strategies – forget it – they were as different as night and day. The argument remained amicable (fortunately) and they agreed to differ and to watch the video separately and at different times to prevent further argument.

This went on, for several months. Finally, another storm swept through the area. Another boat was wrecked and the next morning found another man upon the shore of this not-so-deserted island. Once the two Americans tended to the man’s wounds, fed him from their provisions, and helped him to salvage any useful equipment from his boat, they began to discuss. They found that he was an Englishman. He was disappointed that they had been on the island for so long with no rescue but took it with a “stiff upper lip”. He was delighted to learn about their cricket video and TV/VCR.

In honor of the newcomer, they broke their separate viewing habits and watched the tape together. Their argument about the rules began anew. The Englishman began to explain the true rules and strategies of cricket and began to show them how the clues had been there all along. It soon became clear that, while nothing he said contradicted what they were watching, they could not have gotten all of it by watching the game. One of the Americans began to listen and learn the rules. The other, convinced that he was right and that the Englishman was wrong, continued to put out his own version of the rules.

“But, but, I am an Englishman. I have played cricket since childhood, attended numerous matches, and was even seated in the bleachers for one of the championship matches on your tape. Furthermore, I have refereed cricket matches and am certified to do so.”

“I don’t care. Why should I believe you when I’ve got the video tape right here before my eyes. It is plain that my rules are the true rules of cricket.” With that, the stubborn American stormed away to his shelter.

A few months later, disagreement unabated, a rescue ship arrived and they were escorted home via Australia. While they were recovering in Australia, they had the chance to watch a cricket match. Who do you think knew the correct rules?

The Catholic Church stands as the Englishman amongst a horde of Protestant Americans – each certain that the rules are easily divined from the Book and that their interpretation is correct. The Catholic Church stands and says, “I am the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I carry the promise of Christ that the Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth. The Book blatantly states that I am the pillar and foundation of truth and the referee of all aspects of Christian life. I was granted the authority of my Head – the authority to bind and loose, to forgive and retain sins, and to bear the keys of the Kingdom. I am His physical presence on earth – unbroken, continuous, in a line from His first apostles.”

The others reply, “Why should we believe you when we have the Book right in front of us. It is plain that my rules are the true rules and that every other set is incomplete or wrong.” With that, they storm off to their shelters.

Someday, we will be rescued, and the King may invite us to the feast. Whose rules will prove correct?