{"product_id":"a-little-theology-of-exercise-enjoying-christ-in-body-and-soul-by-david-mathis-author","title":"A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul by David Mathis (Author)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eA Pastor Looks at Physical Exercise and Its Potential to Serve Spiritual Life and Joy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe live in an age dominated by screens. For many, life is sedentary, and it’s become increasingly difficult to prioritize physical activity. Quietly conformed to this new normal, they feel sluggish and unmotivated. Others, however, have become entangled in a fitness culture that prioritizes the self, fuels pride, and coddles idolatry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIs it possible to make exercise holy?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eA Little Theology of Exercise\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e explores how stewarding our bodies can serve the soul, honor God, and bless others. Combining biblical texts with practical guidance, pastor and author David Mathis encourages readers to embrace modest exercise as a way to deepen their knowledge and enjoyment of Christ and then reflect his love in the world. By placing Christ at the center of physical training, readers will discover a greater joy in exercise and an even deeper joy in their relationship with God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eChrist Centered:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Demonstrates how effective body stewardship serves the soul, fostering the ability to know and enjoy Christ better \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBalanced:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Helps readers embrace new healthy habits while navigating the challenges of sub-Christian motivations \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eTimely:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e In our sedentary age, this resource spurs physical movement and aims to enrich spiritual joy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWritten by David Mathis:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bestselling author of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eHabits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“I’ve spent a lifetime in athletics but never thought this deeply about the glory of God in training the body, mind, and soul. David’s vision (and Scripture’s!) of a vigorous life to the glory of God truly inspires, and I’ll walk into the gym differently this week.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eRick Barnes,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Head Basketball Coach, University of Tennessee\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“In \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eA Little Theology of Exercise\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, David Mathis has written a unique and timely book to help Christians think spiritually about exercise in a sedentary age. Specifically, he answers the question ‘How can the joy of exercise serve joy in God?’ David skillfully avoids the pitfalls of either idolizing or ignoring the body by presenting a theology of the body from creation to fall to redemption to glorification. And so he presents a short theological manual packed with godly motivations for the use of the body to the glory of God. This book will challenge you, but it will also change the way you think about spiritual pleasure and physical exercise.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eGavin Peacock,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e former professional footballer; Locum Pastor, Bethersden Baptist Church, UK; author, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eA Greater Glory: From Pitch to Pulpit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“‘Little’ is putting it lightly. David Mathis’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eA Little Theology of Exercise\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a work for such a time as this. Despite spending more on being healthy than ever before, Americans live in a largely sedentary culture and face a growing obesity epidemic. Given that context, his work strikes a necessary balance between convicting admonitions and instructive exhortations. Filled with biblical truths that highlight the remarkably designed human body with its God-given capacity for exercise, the book provides an excellent theological framework by which Christians should engage in exercise. I am especially grateful for David’s enlightening, embodied approach to exercise, one that recognizes the value of both soul and body health. Whether you exercise five days a week or five days a year, if you desire to glorify God with your life―with your body―I highly recommend his book.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eLainey Greer,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Founder, Your Body Matters; author, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eEmbodied Holiness: The Biblical Call to Bodily Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“David Mathis offers a biblical vision for physical exercise that reveals the deep connection between body and soul. Rather than viewing exercise as a secular activity or a means of self-improvement, Mathis reframes it as a God-given gift that can enhance joy in Christ to the glory of God. Whether you’re an athlete or someone simply seeking a more faithful approach to fitness, this book will challenge and encourage you.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eJeremy Treat,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Reality LA, Los Angeles, California; Professor of Theology, Biola University; author, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eThe Crucified King\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eSeek First\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e; and\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe Atonement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“There is a growing obsession on social media with health matters. Apparently, everyone has a health tip! There’s a type of idolatry and legalism that creeps into such discussions. The solution isn’t to avoid these worthwhile topics but to look at them as Christians should: We are body-souls; and any discussion that considers exercise, for example, should remember that fact. David Mathis has offered a highly useful book that highlights the importance of exercise, but he does not forget that we are made in the image of God, created for his service, and most useful as we give our whole person to the Lord’s work.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eMark Jones,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Senior Minister, Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, British Columbia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“The importance of regular exercise is an oft-overlooked topic in the Christian community. In \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eA Little Theology of Exercise\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, David Mathis provides a theologically rich yet accessible look at how bodily stewardship serves our joy in God. This brief and inviting book will benefit those who already enjoy regular exercise as well as those who need a little motivation to get moving. I look forward to giving it to the men and women who take my fitness classes!”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eSharonda Cooper,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bible teacher; elite fitness instructor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“David Mathis has written this wonderfully helpful book about the vital role of using our bodies in our enjoyment of God. I loved reading his biblically grounded thinking that insightfully shows that the body is a marvelous gift from God but, like all his gifts, is a means to the much greater end of glorifying God through delighting in him. This book will make you want to go for a run and worship God as you do.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eK. Erik Thoennes,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Professor of Theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University; Pastor, Grace Evangelical Free Church, La Mirada, California\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Mathis opens \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eA Little Theology of Exercise\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with 1 Corinthians 6:19–20: ‘You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.’ He then dives deep into this truth, clarifying what our culture has obscured. God amazingly designed our bodies not for self-worship but for his glory―not to remain sedentary but to be vigorously used in service to him. Mathis urges us to be wise stewards of our bodies by staying fit, which enables us to serve God more fervently, find greater delight in him, and glorify him through our bodies. Read this book! Its rich theology will transform your perspective on exercising and help you find joy in offering your body as a living sacrifice to God.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBobby Scott\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pastor of Discipleship, Community of Faith Bible Church, South Gate, California; Council Member, The Gospel Coalition; former track and field all-American\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“At the core of every Christian’s perspective on physical health and fitness is a motive that either seeks transformation or opts for the status quo. In this important book, David Mathis makes the biblical and gospel-centered case for joyfully pursuing a fit and balanced life for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits―for the glory of God. In a Christian culture that rightly rejects the extremes of a sedentary or idolatrous life, we find in this Scripture-saturated work a joyful rationale for doing hard things as a means to meeting the needs of others, enjoying God more deeply, and experiencing the joy God has on offer.”\u003cbr\u003e―\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eDavid Bush,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Founder, Fit for the King; author, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eThe Body Gospel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eFit for the King: Your Health and God’s Purpose for Your Life\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eDavid Mathis\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eserves as senior teacher and executive editor at desiringGod.org; a pastor at Cities Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota; and an adjunct professor at Bethlehem College \u0026amp; Seminary in Minneapolis. He and his wife, Megan, have four children. He is the author of several books, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eHabits of Grace.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Crossway","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48052904493233,"sku":"9781433598678","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1735\/2395\/files\/71Q89j-HGUL._SL1500.jpg?v=1792203040","url":"https:\/\/www.biblicalcounselingbooks.com\/products\/a-little-theology-of-exercise-enjoying-christ-in-body-and-soul-by-david-mathis-author","provider":"Biblical Counseling Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}