Finally, Jackie Robinson's Faith Is Getting the Attention It Deserves

There is a God-shaped hole in the heart of 42, the 2013 film that depicts the inspiring story of Jackie Robinson. Observers noticed it at the time, pointing out that the film mostly ignored the role that faith played in Robinson's life and in Branch Rickey's decision to sign him to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. And the film is not the only account of Robinson's life that downplays religion. While Rickey's stalwart Methodist convictions have been widely recognized, most biographies of Robinson provide limited attention to his own faith.