All Comments for: Man Up, Christians | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Free Newsletters:

RSS Feeds |

Audio |

Twitter

Home > 2009 > March (Web-only)

Christianity Today, March (Web-only), 2009 |

SoulWork

Man Up, Christians

Resisting the health and longevity gospel.

Mark Galli | posted 3/26/2009 09:34AM

Most of us who like to rag on the absurdity of the health and wealth gospel are, I dare say, devout adherents of a sister faith: the health gospel. Take out wealth, and we're okay with being materialists. ...

[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

Rate and Comment on this article

Displaying 1 - 25 of 76 comments.

Page: 1 2 3 4

Show All

rosa	Posted: April 07, 2009 4:18 PM


I think it's also important to remember that our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit and we are expected to take care of them, which I believe does include eating healthy foods and a diet that keeps a body healthy. Death was never God's will for us, so I don't think it's wrong to try to prolong a good quality of life.

homebuilding

Posted: April 07, 2009 7:16 AM

The article is a relevant observation to other "creeds" of the U.S. society. For example, many rail against socialized medicine, when in reality the infant mortality rate is lower and the life expectancy is longer in ALL countries that have universal care. Demanding or implying that doctors and hospitals "DO EVERYTHING!" is a fundamentally selfish act and my living will very specifically prohibits such actions, especially when I cannot participate in the process. In reality, isn't the extremely expensive pursuit of extending my own life (thus possibly denying basic medical services to others) the ultimate false god?

Ifeanyi

Posted: April 04, 2009 12:16 PM


For quite a while now I beleive we have focused more on getting the best blessings in this life than on preparing to meet the king. I think that is manifesting.

Natasha

Posted: April 03, 2009 2:41 PM

As always, life is all about balance and moderation. I believe we send the wrong message as Christians if we focus only on spiritual growth, while other areas of our lives suffer (i.e., our health). This also pertains to other matters...finances, emotional and mental stability, as well as our physical states. This doesn't mean that we all need to become personal trainers. It does, however, mean that as stewards of the vessels God has given us, we need to be mindful not to abuse it in any way. Of course, we must work for the Lord. Of course we must give of ourselves and live purpose-driven lives. Additionally, as we mature spiritually, we must also mature in the other areas of our lives. Our testimonies should not be diminished because of lack of self-control. Overall wellness is about being of sound mind, body and spirit.

Randy

Posted: April 03, 2009 8:00 AM


Sure, I could give up BBQ and live longer, but would they be quality years?

Kurt	Posted: April 03, 2009 1:09 AM


I agree with you Matt. The author is not saying we should all become gluttons but that Christ should be the main obsession of our existence not wealth, not health, not global warming etc.

LJ	Posted: April 02, 2009 3:44 PM

don't let the media fool you either - red meat in and of itself is not bad for you... red meat that has been fed a diet of "bad food" is bad for you... take out all the hormones and "artificial" feeds that are going into our food supply and you've actually got very nutritious things going into the body. all other things being said, I think you make some very valid points. as a cancer survivor myself I struggle a lot with how much focus and attention I should give my diet in order to "prolong" my life and wonder if this is really where Jesus would have me focus my time and energy on or not. I feel guilty if I don't because of the "gospel" that is currently being preached and other days I feel like chucking it all and saying I'll eat what I darn well want to... I've got other things to worry about. great topic for discussion. thanks.

Renee'

Posted: April 02, 2009 11:59 AM

When it comes to food, of all kinds, I believe "moderation" is a good word to think about while eating. Yes, God wants us to enjoy this life on earth... But he also wants us to seek him first. And in seeking him, it is highly unlikely that you will find a mind set of "que se ra, se ra!" Stewardship is responsibility- Over our homes, our money, our time, ourselves, our health. He gives us these things through blessing, however, we are to understand that is is not our own. We do not belong to ourselves nor do our "posessions," and we are to honor him in all that we do and all that we have. Should we feel that we might be struck down because we have that bowl or ice cream? No... but if it's out of control and our obesity leads to high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease... It's not rocket science! This is always the touchiest subject. We love "interventions" towards the alcoholics and the drug addicts who clearly have a death wish or no self control, but never the glutton??

Rachael

Posted: April 01, 2009 8:15 PM

Thank you! American Christians need to face the self-centeredness of their health obsession. Being a good steward of our bodies should never preclude serving in the ways and places God intended for us. Since He "giveth us all things richly to enjoy" and also gives life, we are merely responsible for maintenance of our bodies--and that for the purpose that we might be most fit to serve Him. Our days are in His hands, so in the words of Jim Elliot, "live life to the hilt!"

Sandra

Posted: April 01, 2009 11:26 AM

I agree with the author. He is not saying we should not live healthy lives. He is not giving permission to be gluttons. But life for the sake of life does not glorify God. If I am living in obedience to Him, live for His glory, can I not then face death whenever it comes and rejoice that I am going to the Father? I have come very close to death several times. I would have grabbed leaving this life with both hands if it was up to me, but God chose differently. Not me, demanding extra life support, extreme measures to be taken to preserve my life; but leaving it in God's hands as He alone has perfect timing.

Bill C

Posted: April 01, 2009 11:24 AM


According to scripture our bodies are the temple of Gods Holy spirit and we are to care for it and not pollute it, but on the other hand it is our duty to serve God and or but if somthing puts us at risk and we loose our life serving him like some of the apostles did, can you tell me of a better way to die?

Ellen

Posted: April 01, 2009 11:18 AM


Good article! I would have to agree with the basic premise...that Christians (certainly American Christians) are far more concerned with the quality of their own lives than with burning out in service for God...

Judith

Posted: April 01, 2009 8:23 AM


I would prefer to think that the 'glottony' issue reflects a fallen man as opposed to the man in full control. God is not helped with our eating or drinking, but info on proper dieting is proving that we need to go back to the place of original creation. Was Adam in perfection even over his desires? If he was that where we should aim to go.

Angel Cardinal-Milton

Posted: April 01, 2009 7:55 AM

I did not read from this article that it was promoting us to live a glutinous risky life. I read that we, as Christians do not need to worry about every litttle thing that we eat or do. We need to trust God and try to live a healthy life, taking care of the temple that the Lord trusted us with. I am sure the article above could have also promoted this more and focused on the fact that we do need to be diligent. I fouind it particularly interesting that those who identify as Christians take the treatments more often. I guess I would have suspected the oppostie except I would say the reason they take the treatments is that they do trust God and perhaps this is the answer they are looking for. They don't want to appear irresponsible to those around them so they chose what they think people find more acceptable in our society. I for one would not chose treatment unless treatment guaranteed many more years. Going to see my Heavenly Father would be the best reward as far as I am concerned.

Carlos

Posted: March 31, 2009 10:03 PM

Sorry Mark, this is the most absurd logic I have heard in a very long time. 3 John 2 shows us John praying for his friend that he may have good health, is God just going to give it to him? Don't think so, God expects us to do everything we can to have good health: Eat well, sleep well, work only 6 days a week, avoid being promiscuos, to forgive, not to worry, and many more. Does God care what we eat? Yes, otherwise why would He dedicate one long chapter in Leviticus to point out foods that we should not eat?

Lee	Posted: March 31, 2009 10:01 PM

Good and important discussion. Any obsession (food or exercise or health over spirit) is a diversion from living one's life for Christ...but, having just witnessed the tortuous death of some family members who habitually overate, and in general neglected their bodies, I would argue that for me it is not about EXTENDING life, but remaining as healthy as possible so that we can continue to do God's work as long as we can. It is about quality of life, not length of life. Life support is a separate subject all together, and I would not choose to have my life extended just to be alive. I think that each case is unlike any other, but I believe all knowledge is from God and there is a place for medical technology in the Christian life. It is complicated and will become more so, but I go joyfully into the future, trying not to judge too harshly others' decisions about how to use this technology in their own lives. "Now we see through a glass darkly...."

Joseph Villagomez

Posted: March 31, 2009 9:22 PM

I agree that it's ridiculous to artificially extend our lives by any means necessary and doing so out if the hope to give God more time for a miracle is foolish, but it's just as foolish to think there's something noble or blessed in not taking care of our bodies. To die is gain, but I'm sure Paul didn't mean death due to gluttonous behavior. Just as some people will treat exercise and servitude as equal endeavors, so do people treat servitude and their own appetite. If one can't sacrifice his gut occasionally, I doubt he'll be able to sacrifice much else. Perhaps that study missed the point and maybe those who eat red meat are more mellow. Is that the point of life though: for ME to be mellow and content? If so, then perhaps I should remember that potheads are even more mellow.

Nina	Posted: March 31, 2009 9:01 PM


I can hardly wait to be with the Lord... When He decides my time here is done, I am ready to go.

Bill Gilman

Posted: March 31, 2009 8:46 PM

Absurd does not even begin to describe this article. And, let me say, I'm a 350-pound man who eats way too much red meat. I'm going to see the Lord some day, one day from now or 100 years from now. The "when" of that matters little. However, the Lord has assigned me a task of being a good Christian father and a disciple. And yes, maybe volunteering in a homeless shelter. There is work to be done. The Lord is using this machine we call a body. And I owe it to the Lord to make it as functional as possible. He and He alone will decide when my job is done. The logical (or illogical) conclusion of this author would seem to be that we may as well commit suicide, since that will get us to the Lord faster. His logic is bad and his basic theological premise is faulty. We stay healthy so that we may serve the Lord better and longer.

John E

Posted: March 31, 2009 8:43 PM

Certainly pride, vanity and fear of death could be examples of unworthy motives for pursuing a healthy lifestyle. But one could also seek to be healthy in order that he may be able to better serve God and man in a healthy body than an unhealthy body. My father, a pastor, fought a losing battle with morbid obesity and died 15 to 20 years earlier than he might have had he been healthy. Not to mention the great hindrance his obesity was to his energy level throughout his life, physical ability to minister, and his witness in general. For better or worse, people tend to respect you less if you're overweight and unhealthy. My 2c, John

Cheryl

Posted: March 31, 2009 6:41 PM

I think the only value of this article is to denigrate people who do act in a disciplined manner in their life. Along with eating red meat every day why don't you smoke too.....it also causes proven physical damage. Choosing to undergo treatment for cancer is personal...when will Christians stop pointing their self righteous fingers at each other...STOP...love each other....don't criticize brothers and sisters who are facing death....SHAME on you. Love them as Christ would. Jesus loves all of his imperfect sons and daughters. We can serve him and take care of our bodies...it's called BALANCE....nothing wrong with that we will serve him longer and better if we are good stewards of this beautiful body he gave us. Gluttony is a sin ....and in the North American culture it is rampant look around you. We are all overweight.

Darla

Posted: March 31, 2009 6:26 PM

Your article is a good conversation starter. I have sat with many christians and non-christians who have decided to forgoe all the technogly that may give them hours, days , minutes or years more of life. I have also sat with those who opt for any hope technology can provide. I think some persons do so as they fear death, some feel that they still have an opportuinity at fullfilling their purpose, some are not making the decision but rather their family. I think that in addition to being good stewarts of our bodies, we need to have frank discussions about life and death. So many times I see the elderly who have had their life extended , but regret being alive because so many relationships that they value have ended and they have no purposeful use for their lives. To die for Christ is gain, but what is it to live for the sake of living? The question for me is why do more Christians opt for agressive treatment, are they relying on technology or trying to fulfill God's will ?

Jon	Posted: March 31, 2009 9:37 AM

There is so much inappropriate idolitry that has crept into the church. So much worship of the created, not the Creator. We are not to worry about what we eat or drink but worship the one true God. There is too much "righteousness" to be found in produce aisles, health clubs and around recycling bins. "Stewardship" is used as an excuse too often for legalism. Seek first His kingdom and HIS righteousness. Add to this the comments of Peter J.

Julie

Posted: March 31, 2009 9:10 AM

"The problem with us is this: we're too busy worrying about eating organic this or that ...to serve Christ in utter desperation." Why does it have to be "either...or"? How does being good stewards of our bodies preclude us from serving Christ? When a Christian I know was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, she switched to an organic diet that has dramatically improved her health and significantly reduced her physical suffering. As a result, she is able to serve the Lord more effectively at the Christian ministry where she works. In addition, she will probably enjoy a longer life that will give her many more years to serve Him. And by the way, shopping for organic produce isn't rocket science. If believer choose an organic diet, that doesn't mean they won't have time to serve Christ or that they will be unable to focus on godliness, holiness and righteousness.

Anonymous

Posted: March 30, 2009 11:18 PM


main question is what is the priority. If you give too much thing \time money, energy\ on being healthy that's not good. But surely we must care our bodies. But everything in his own place. that's main question. Being healthy is not our top priority or goal.

Page: 1 2 3 4

E-mail this page

Write CT

Print this article

Post a comment