The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

10 Scoring Goalkeepers


Goalkeepers do not normally score in a football game but it can happen. Sometimes freak kick from their own goal may, by fluke or design, catch the opposing goalkeeper out and go in. Sometimes a goalkeeper will score a penalty. At times a goalkeeper may come up the pitch for a corner or free kick and score. Goalkeepers who for some reason become outfield players for one match or more are no loner goalkeepers strictly speaking.

1. Pat Jennings. Arguably the most famous goal of all time by a keeper is Jennings' effort in the 1967 Charity Shield while playing for Spurs against Manchester United. His goal clearance flew past Alex Stepney in the opposite goal after being caught by a gust of wind.

2. Alex Stepney. Stepney later discovered what it was like to score when, in 1973, he was appointed penalty taker by manager Tommy Docherty. There were only to of these before things moved on but Stepney netted both and at one moment was the club's top scorer.

3. Peter Shilton. Shilton scored the only goal of his long career during a game between Leicester City and Southampton in October, 1967. Southampton goalkeeper, Campbell Forsyth, misjudged Shilton's long punt upfield and, instead of splashing harmlessly in the mud, it spun off the pitch and flew over Forsyth's head into the goal. Leicester won 5-1.

4. Peter Schmeichel. Schmeichel scored 13 goals in his long career, including a headed equaliser for Manchester United from a corner in an UEFA Cup tie against Rotor Volgograd in 1996. His last effort was for Aston Villa when they lost to Everton 3-2 in the Premier League in October 2001.

5. Kaspar Schmeichel. Like father, like son, Peter Schmeichel's son scored while keeping goal in March, 2014, a stoppage time equaliser for Leicester City against Yeovil Town.

6. Brad Friedel. When Blackburn took on Charlton in February 2004, the American scored with his foot in the aftermath of a corner in the 89th minute to equalise. Some of the shine was taken off that goal as Charlton still found time to score again and won 3-2.

7. Paul Robinson. In March 2007 Spurs hosted Watford. Robinson lined up a free-kick not too far from his own box, just after the hour mark. He appeared to be hoping to connect with a Spurs striker in the Watford penalty area, but his long ball bounced just inside the edge of the visitors’ box before looping over the head of Watford keeper Ben Foster to score Spurs’ second goal. They won 3-1.

8. Tim Howard. In January 2012 there was another fluke. The ball rolled to the Everton goalkeeper inside his own box and the American’s long ball went up high and long and bounced just outside Bolton’s box. It gained great height off the bounce and went over Adam Bogdan's head into the opposite goal.

9. Asmir Begovic. Yet another fluke. A back pass rolled to Begovic’s feet inside the Stoke box. His long clearance travelled the length of the pitch before bouncing about 10 yards outside the Southampton penalty area. It looped over the head of Artur Boruc and found the net. Stoke went on to draw the game 1-1. This was in November 2013. Boruc's positioning was no doubt at fault. Begovic’s strike for Stoke was the longest-range goal in Premier League history.

10. Alisson Becker. This list was prompted by Brazilian Alisson Becker's recent goal for Liverpool against West Brom, when he came up for a late corner. It means Liverpool are still in contention for a place in Europe next season. 

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