Book Review: “Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul”, by Gary Thomas.

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Publisher: Zondervan, 2011 *Available at Amazon.com

Reviewer: Pastor Pete Tremblay

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(from the back cover – quote)

Every Body Matters explores the spiritual stakes behind the very physical battle of eating and exercise and offers a fresh perspective and renewed motivation for making some major changes.

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Using the engaging stories of everyday people, Thomas illustrates how becoming physically fit can lead to:

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The goal of this pursuit is not sculpting thinner or more athletic-looking bodies. The goal is to cultivate stronger, well-nourished bodies that are primed to become, in the words of the Apostle Paul, “instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

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By looking at your body as an instrument rather than an ornament, you’ll find new and compelling motivation to embrace the kind of active lifestyle that fortifies your body. (en-quote)

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I’ve been on a journey towards better health this past year. That journey is, I believe, “a God thing”. Maybe the word “quest” better describes that journey. The Lord has been convicting me concerning the stewardship of my physical being. The Spirit keeps bringing up this questions within my heart, “Can you truly follow the Great Commandment to love God with your entire heart, mind, soul and strength and neglect the care of your body?”

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Many other questions arise from this one question; “Shouldn’t real discipleship be more holistic? Shouldn’t discipleship include physical and mental health? How can I really give all of myself in loving service to the Lord if I allow my energy and health to diminish?”

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My Spiritual Director, Jeff Borden, knowing I was on this journey sent me this book. Thanks Jeff!

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Unfortunately, few there are few Christian books available that with these questions.

Personally, as a theologian, I was hoping for a more academic work on the subject. But Gary Thomas has written a book that non-theologians will find very readable. Many people want to be more healthy and lose weight, but for “ornamental” purposes. In our modern era I think it’s fair to say that much of the impetus for strength and health is for vanity. Some others may desire health out of the fear of illness and death, but this too is a self-centered purpose. I believe these vain motives have caused many Christians to view care of the physical body as a somewhat worldly pursuit. But Gary Thomas does a splendid job of pointing out the spiritual motivation to be healthy. Christians should view their bodies as instruments rather than ornaments. We have a stewardship responsibility when it comes to care of the body that God formed for us.

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The author incorporates the Scriptures into his book being careful to correctly apply Biblical principles to the modern problems that result from a sedentary lifestyle. Many stories of real people are found in this book such as one concerning Mark, a youth pastor whose weight rose to 300 pounds and yet no one confronted him concerning the damage he was doing to himself. There is a tension between the need to accept people as they are, and the need to challenge them to change. While not wanting to return to a legalistic and shame-based religion, Gary asks this tough question. “Even as we (commendably) want people to know they are loved, are we neglecting the truth that they also need to live in a spirit of repentance and openness to God’s transforming work?”(p. 140)

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The health issue is not simply about losing weight. In fact health involves more than one dimension of life. It is effected by emotional and spiritual factors as well. Kristin’s story is one of how anxiety can ruin your health. After her divorce, Karen was so devastated she didn’t have an appetite and couldn’t sleep. As a result she became deathly thin and one day she just crumbled to the floor in grief. Her friend Paige picked her up off the floor and with loving by stern honesty reminded her she had children who needed her and she must get healthy for their sake. Paige and KT challenged Kristin to join them in preparing for a marathon.

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We are composite people. The strengths we learn from physical demands strengthen our spiritual and emotional muscles. Our emotional challenges affect us spiritually and physically. Health cannot be viewed correctly as something only for one part of our being.

Gary Thomas covers some history of Christian movements that had a concern for physical health for Godly purposes. He also lists many great Christians of the past such as John Wesley who recognized the interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit. He does deal with some theological issues, but not in an overly academic fashion. The book starts out a little slow for my taste, but that may be because I am interested in the theological materials. Gary also provides some chapters with practical advice.

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Again, this is a great book. It is well written, Scriptural, and supported with stories of modern people and their struggles. It deals with theological questions on a down-to-earth basis, gives some history, practical advice and sound encouragement to every believer to be stewards of God’s gift of their bodies. I recommend it to you.