Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul [Paperback]

Gary Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 22, 2011

Few pastors or Christian writers have dared to approach the subject of how proper eating and an active lifestyle can affect how we serve God. Author Gary Thomas does just that. And he reaches all the way back to the apostle Paul, who wrote that we need to prime our bodies to become, 'an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.' To illustrate the body/soul correlation, Thomas presents engaging and diverse stories that include a young mom who got fit through volleyball and reaped spiritual rewards in her marriage, a 300-pound pastor who realized his obesity was eroding his ministry impact, and a woman who gained the spiritual strength to survive a contentious divorce by training for a marathon. In every instance, Thomas makes a direct connection between the physical challenge and its spiritual consequence. This book is a must read for anyone seeking new and compelling motivation for strengthening their bodies and fortifying their souls. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOJVmFwlYbA for more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gary Thomas is a writer in residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of several books, including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Pure Pleasure, Sacred Parenting, and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith. SPANISH BIO: Gary Thomas es escritor residente en la iglesia Second Baptist de Houston y Profesor asociado en el Seminario Western en Portland, Oregon. Es autor de mas de una docena de libros, incluyendo Matrimonio sagrado, Placer puro y el ganador del Golden Medallion, Fe Autentica.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310290813
• ISBN-13: 978-0310290810
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships. Gary's unique message will help you:

* Embrace the unique way that you interact with God.
* Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse.
* Build a closer, grace-based family.
* Enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.

Find out more at: www.GaryThomas.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lasting Principles December 12, 2011

By Jay Daniel Fields

Format:Paperback

If you are on the edge, wondering if you should buy this book-- read this.

Gary Thomas, in Every Body Matters has something for everybody: whether you are a fitness guru, or regrettably sedentary. He reveals how the physical is connected with the spiritual, emotional, and mental. I honestly went into this book, thinking that I would not get anything out of it (because I am a fitness nut), but I learned some extremely valuable principles. Although I am a healthy, active, 17 year old, I found out new principles that I can hold on to for the rest of my life.

Here is a brief outline of what I picked up from the book, by chapter:

1. "...true grace doesn't kill effort; it motivates and empowers it."

2. The whole man: "..soul and body, mind and heart." "...people whose souls reside in bodies that can hinder or help this [spiritual] pursuit."

3."Your strength will equal your days." "A weak belief produces weak commitment." "Being unhealthy is being selfish. Being healthy is being loving."

4. In this chapter Thomas explains some of the spiritual benefits of being fit: Fitness has spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits.

5. Here, Thomas explains some of the ways food marketers and producers, trick us into unhealthy habits.

6. In this chapter Thomas tackles the big question of, "Is being overweight a sin?" And explains the subtle dangers of gluttony and sloth.

7. The concept of 'trading food for your years' is introduced.

8. "... the lazy man loses this world and the other, without doing any good to himself or others."

9. "Those who avoid suffering by sinning, sin themselves into worse suffering."

10. "...taking the gospel to the body."

11. Be more useful to God, if you are physically fit. "300 pound pastors..."

12. Endurance, and 'sinewy'-- without fluff, spiritually and physically, be like Jesus.

13. Breaking any pattern is uncomfortable.

14. Mortify the deeds of the flesh, fight, and find a holy substitute.

15. What if I was the last Christian? Endure through hardship, suffering, and stay unashamed.

Epilogue: Christian, keep running.

Needless to say, this book is well worth it, and it transcends far more than just fitness. Gary Thomas, in a fascinating way combines anecdote and reason, story and substance, in a way that I am not sure how. I usually dislike books with much anecdote, but Thomas has found the perfect combination. It produces something which has lessons for everyone: new or old Christians.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for those Yearning for Practical Christianity November 10, 2011

By HEAD2TOE

Format:Kindle Edition

Both being Medical Doctors - one a Primary Care Physician and one a Foot and Ankle Surgeon - my wife and I were very interested in the subject matter of the book. Gary's research was complete, and his sensitivity and thoughtfulness on a delicate but much too avoided topic was suburb. In a culture where 1 in 3 children is overweight or obese, an American dies every 14 minutes from a drug overdose (71% of which are from prescription medications) and there are 18.8 million Americans diagnosed with an often avoidable diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus II (and another 79 million estimated to be prediabetic according to the ADA), the subject matter of the book is timely and applicable.

We were puzzled by another review stating that they were bothered by Gary's apparent theological vagueness. As a graduate of Wheaton College (the Harvard of Christian Schools, as we are known) who has studied under great minds such as Gary M. Burdge (Primary Translator for the New Living Translation's Gospel of John and Author of three books in Zondervan's Ancient Context, Ancient Faith series), John Walton (Primary Translator for the New Living Translation's Book of Isaiah and one of the world's leading authorities on Genesis and Prophetic Literature) and Mark A. Noll (Author of Scandal of the Evangelical Mind and the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame) I can say with conviction that Gary's presentation in this book is directly in line with mainstream christian thought, and the theological underpinnings are strong.

Both of us being who were are (as Physicians and as Christians), were are always interested in taking "book" knowledge and applying it on the "front lines" of the battle. As is clearly seen in Scripture, Satan is "the prince of the air" (Ephesians 2:2) and the "ruler of this world" (John 12:31), and his attempts to thwart the will of God throughout history can be clearly seen. Whether it be in his direct disruption of God's plans for creation in Genesis, his constant distracting of the Children of Israel from God's intended plan, his physical presence before the Almighty accusing the chosen ones of God (Job 1), or his and his minions direct manipulation of historical events (Daniel 10), he is truly a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Physical health is simply one of the tactics Satan can, and will, use to undermine the will of God.

In conclusion, I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone - new, mature, little faith or faith like a child. In our opinion, what puts this book at the top of our list is its applicability to everyday life. While "ivory tower" academics are both necessary and interesting, application is at the heart of Jesus' teachings. Gary's book is 5 star and a must read for those looking to put the words of Jesus into practice.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Body and Soul Strength November 26, 2011

By Joel Holtz VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Gary Thomas has been one of my favorite writers for several years now, and his latest doesn't disappoint. His theme throughout is that we need to stay physically active, not for any selfish reasons but to be "..more holy and useful to our Master, and better prepared to do any good work." (2 Timothy 2:21)

One of the best parts of the book is how Thomas directly or indirectly mentions that exact purpose for our staying in shape in just about every chapter. Chapter 8, THE SILENT MURDERER, on laziness, is perhaps the best in the entire book.

He points out that eating right and getting enough exercise is really a matter of discipleship and obedience. One of the best points he makes is that hunger needs to be listened to, but not always obeyed. (pg.57)

And, as Thomas is fond of doing, he introduces us once again to some of the ancients who offer us wisdom for the 21st century: John Climacus from the 7th century, Johannes Tauler from the 14th century, and Lorenzo Scupoli from the 16th.

Another great resource from a gold medallion writer!