Spotlight: How Dr. Joe Castleberry Sees a Connection between Chess and His Faith

Dr. Joe Castleberry has lived an incredible life – he’s traveled and lived all over the world, had amazing educational opportunities, and became the president of a university despite being the first in his family to attend college.

Dr. Castleberry describes his life as like a chess match, but it might not be in the way you initially expect. He sees a connection between chess and his Christian faith. Dr. Castleberry shared that in his life it feels as though God is playing the chess match and that he is just a piece on the board. God makes a strategic plan and guides Dr. Castleberry as he goes.

From Dr. Castleberry’s perspective, God moves him as he was designed to move. Each move that Dr. Castleberry makes fits within his unique ability as a “specific chess piece.” For example, he experienced God as calling him to serve as the academic dean at the Assemblies of God Theological Center, a national seminary with a worldwide constituency. Dr. Castleberry was exactly the “chess piece” equipped for the move as he was just what the seminary hiring team was looking for. He had his doctorate, had a good list of publications, had teaching experience, had administrative experience, and had been an entrepreneur – all of which made him well suited to this role. This position eventually led him to his current role as president of Northwest University.

At the same time, other pieces who are the right fit for their own job are also being moved into just the right spot. Dr. Castleberry described feeling surrounded by a team of individuals all equipped to do their unique jobs. The overall plan moves smoothly because each individual is not moving willy-nilly on their own; they are being guided by God.

Along the way, Dr. Castleberry did not always know or understand the big picture. If we imagine chess pieces as having a mind, at some points in the game they probably wouldn’t understand why they were going where they were going either! Dr. Castleberry finds peace and comfort in his faith and his conceptualization of God as a great chess master.

Whether you are a member of the Christian faith or not, chess can have many unexpected benefits. From cognitive to socioemotional and even to spiritual, chess can influence us across many realms of life!

Check out the full interview below: