Today I am reviewing a small book by Crossway that has the power to move you…towards movement. A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul by David Mathis is this month’s focus for review.
Hello fellow readers, writers and web surfers. The Summer is winding down here on the east coast as August’s final week plays out in real time. Are you looking for some inspiration to hit the gym or don those running shoes as Fall approaches? Do you need a reason to set that alarm a bit earlier to squeeze in exercise? Maybe you just need to be convinced on a deeper level- beyond vanity -that there’s value in adding one more thing to do to your day and it might include sweat.
Either way, I want to share with you why this little book, might just be a gem to read (or keep in your gym bag).
First, as a former personal trainer, and group exercise leader, and coach and trainer to trainers, I was excited to see this book the minute it became available. I became a Christian while preparing for a national bodybuilding competition and training a full load of clients in their homes and the gyms. After leaving the full time career (@30 years) in the fitness profession, I eventually became as sedentary (or more so) than some of my most sedentary clients. In my mind I had somehow excused myself from taking my own good advice. Only to eventually find my way back to some semblance and balance of incorporating movement again into my life. I had experienced the extremes, I had experienced grace. Sometimes we have to walk away to find our way. That’s partly my story. Back to the book!
This book is written by a pastor whose main focus and goal of writing the book was to help Christians “steward” their bodies better. Our author is also a Christian Teacher, so put pastor, teacher, and writer together and bam- we have a personal trainer for the soul.
This book clearly articulates the importance from a theological perspective on why exercise is worth the effort, and how we can make it holy. How we can bring it under the act of spiritual stewardship; however without yielding to the cultural fitness idolatry so prevalent in our day. As I stated above, as one who was saved out of full immersion in this exact pursuit for a good part of my adult life and made a living helping others to employ active lifestyles, I appreciated the authors affirming that exercise “serves my soul”.
Mathis states he has serious interest in how the human body serves not only natural joy but spiritual joy. The book is broken into two parts. He begins with the theme of moving the body, and how we can make exercise Christian through God’s word and prayer. The second part of the book dives into why- to glorify God in our bodies, and be fit for the Kingdom now, while we are still in them! But the way he presents deeply theological truths and connections is far from dry or preachy. Mathis comes off as the guy you might be running with and talking with on a Saturday morning. He’s your running partner who happens to be a theologian. Steering away from the vain pursuits of fitness – glorification of self, and guiding towards satisfaction and growth in godliness as the aim even as we employ are bodies toward optimal health is communicated. Leaning into discipline, not shying away from it, as we are prone to do is also encouraged.
I like the way he comes to the conclusion that if he is not getting some regular form of minimum exercise he must be making some bad choices with his time. This was after a conversation with his wife who helped him see the light (one for the wives of pastors everywhere!) This is what sparked him back into a more active lifestyle and ultimately writing this book.
He offers prayer suggestions, tackles bold lies and contradictions in views we may hold about our bodies, and encourages us in the direction of self-discipline and denial. All without coming off preachy. I say this again, in case you think this prose sounds preachy because of me-it’s really not! His writing style is wise, and practical. Scripture throughout – as you would expect, brings in the context needed to support the reasons for pushing oneself toward the discipline of movement for the right reasons.
I returned to my own regular gym workouts this past February. A lot of my reasons are exactly what this excellent book communicates. I read this book in a weekend, and I was even more pumped than ever to get back in the gym…not that you need to go to the gym, but whatever you know your body needs – a brisk walk, or run…or just a balanced approach to physical activity to steward well the body God has given you. I justified bodily neglect for a season after being overly immersed in a lifestyle that no longer suited me. I loved this little 128 page book for the wisdom it offered, the practical theology articulated clearly and for the affirmation to press on communicated in its pages. It is the kind of book, you could go back to again and again. A great gift to put into a gym bag, with running shoes! I loved it!
Thanks for reading. Please let me know if you have found this review helpful, or if you have a question. I received this book as part of the Crossway Book Review Program. All opinions are my own. Thank you to the team at Crossway for providing so many excellent books for readers (and reviewers)!
You can check out this book HERE or wherever you shop for books.
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Enthusiastically, Dawn 