It’s been an exciting March (and April) here in Ann Arbor, thanks to deep NCAA tournament runs from both Michigan basketball teams. Of course, the men’s team went all the way, winning UM’s first national championship in 37 years. Though many at the Chapel followed the basketball closely, this year the community got in on the madness in a different sort of way: a Books of the Bible bracket determined by community voting.
Pastor Matt acted as a one-man selection committee, dividing the 66 books of the Bible into four regions and seeding them (he combined 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles into single entries to avoid “play-ins”). The bracket was posted in the Chapel basement, and over five weeks community members voted on the matchups.
As usual, the early rounds featured some lopsided contests; poor Nahum didn’t receive even a single vote up against mighty Isaiah. But there were also some heated contests, especially as it got into later rounds. Jeremiah against Ezekiel was very tight, and John edged out Luke by a single vote to win the “Gospels and Letters” region.
The community narrowed it down to a final four of John, Isaiah, Genesis, and Psalms, with the gospel of John ultimately taking the championship. But, if you will forgive the cliché, the real winners were all of us who participated. Community members got into the matchups, offering spirited arguments for their favorites. One Wednesday Night Dinner featured an extended and passionate debate about the Ecclesiastes vs. Job contest.
You can check out the complete bracket below, and feel free to offer your own opinions and hot takes… just don’t take it too seriously!
Campus Chapel 