Broken bread by Tilly Dillehay takes the reader on a journey to better understanding the history of food in the church, different theologies on food, and challenges those reading. She talks about the 4 food poles that many christians fall into; Gluttony, Asceticism, Snobbery, and Apathy. This book is essentially a how-to live wholly and have a healthy relationship with food.

Dillehay usually does a good job with keeping the reader engaged but I found myself quite board with this particular piece. She also is writing specifically to Christian Women and makes many generalizations that I don't know if I agree with.

I deeply appreciated Dillehay's chapter on alcohol; she makes the claim that some things are good in moderation, including alcohol and that it is a gift from God for the gladness of a person's heart. She also talks about cooking as a spiritual discipliine, there can come a point where a person can actually encounter God through the art of cooking. Lastly, I was deeply moved by the epiphany she had while breast-feeding one of her children. Jesus said to His disciples, "This is my body which is broken for you." As she was breastfeeding her child, she realized that she "broke" her body for her child. In the same sense, Jesus breaks his body for us like a mother birthing a child and like a mother breastfeeding her child. How profound!

Overall, this was a decent book with shiny nuggets of truth. I would recommend this to people wanting to learn more about food and the mind and body.

Broken Bread by Tilly Dillehay is a book that deals with a Christian's problems with food. I was intrigued by the premise of this book and hoping to find a book that takes the problem, dissects it, and leaves the reader full of hope. I did not find that. Instead, I found a careful examination of the problem and a lot of assertions of what God is saying Christians should do. I did not find a lot of hope here. I did not find much to draw from at all. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

I received an ARC from Harvest Publishers, via NetGalley. This review is my opinion.

Food, we all love and need it. But how as Christian we need to behave in front of this?. Telly Delahey opens up and talks from the first person of her own difficulties with food from a young age. I like how the book is structured, I must say I have never considered that the view we have of food has a deeper and profound meaning. She mentions four types of people: ascetic, and I know many can relate to this especially in this time when we hear you shouldn’t eat that or just eat clean eating and many other forms. Gluttony, and as Christian, it seems that this is normal, overeating. We actually don’t see the bad behind this sinful attitude, snobbery, our different tastes on food don’t make us more special, and we should never treat any with contempt for it and finally apathy, those are the people that don’t care what they eat and pay little attention to food in general.

I do believe that if we are honest, at some point we all have been if not in all those types of poles, but at least in one of them. I think it is important, to be honest first with God and ourselves about our situation with the food and how that affects the way we relate to others. The importance of sharing and showing love through food and hospitality I found it a necessary remainder. However, the only thing I must say I didn’t like about this book was the chapter about alcohol, all do she was very respectful and all do she mention she does drink with moderation, she never says: All Christians need to drink, in my personal case, not only for medical reasons; but for personal reasons, I do not drink. I found it dangerous and it concerns me the consequence behind all the information in this particular chapter. Especially for those who struggle with some type of addiction in their past life or have been hurt by the overuse of alcohol.

This book is a combination of memoir on how the author dealt with her food issues and an exploration of the spiritual nature of food and the influence of sin and man made rules on it. Along the way we are invited to have a whole new appreciation and enjoyment of food.

It's a thought provoking book. Dillehay has critical opinions of many popular Christian authors pushing “biblical” diets or some other “Christian” food fad. She invites us to find the real sin behind the sin related to food. She invites us to explore food as a community experience. She challenges us on the subjects of asceticism, gluttony, snobbery and apathy. She helps us understand alcohol consumption and fasting.

Dillehay explores how we learn to eat and drink to the glory of God. (I Cor. 10:31) She suggests we can use food as a way to know God better. We are challenged to change our emphasis from what we eat to how we eat.

This is not a diet book. It rather challenges us to have an attitude toward food that God desires. It is not at all what I expected but I was happily surprised by the challenging content. I wasn't excited about the telling of her own food experiences but did appreciate greatly her thought provoking questions and reading suggestions at the end of each chapter.

Food for thought: “How shall we Christians learn to eat?” (Loc 99/2506)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The author really made you think about your relationship with food when you read this one. You couldn't just look for bits of advice in it, you actually had to reflect on what you read and figure out how it fits into your personal relationship with food. I am not a religious person, so I was hesitant about finding this useful, but the approach was original and it made a lot of sense!

I am confident enough to say that every woman at some point in time has struggled with eating issues or body image. And now, most recently, this would include men as well due to our society's brutal expectations.

I was captivated from the very beginning of this book and gained so much wisdom and insight. Dillehay structures the book with two parts and eleven chapters:
- Part 1: Four Poles
- Chapter 1: Food is Fuel
- Chapter 2: Sometimes I eat the Whole Pint
- Chapter 3: You Aren't Eating Maca Root?
- Chapter 4: Coq Au Vin does not equal Chicken Nuggets
- Part 2: Feasting for Eternity
- Chapter 5: Hospitality
- Chapter 6: Learning to Cook
- Chapter 7: The Mirror
- Chapter 8: Wine O'Clock
- Chapter 9: Awakening Appetite
- Chapter 10: Will Travel, Have Food
- Chapter 11: Taste and See

Each chapter begins with a "From Memory..." highlight which includes a personal experience of Dillehay's that addresses the concept in that chapters and set the stage. Each chapter also concludes with a Food For Thought section that provides discuss, practice and read questions for further reflection.

Part One provided insight and perspective that I had never heard before. The sins of Asceticism, Gluttony, Snobbery, and Apathy in regards to our eating habits. Gluttony seems to be the most known and addressed sin from this list. But the way Dillehay addressed asceticism, snobbery and apathy were profound. There is no question that I have fallen to each of these at some point or another. Innocently enough, we are usually unaware that we are doing such. But now we have no excuse for our behavior. God holds us accountable to our knowledge.

She is very gracious and wise to include the fact that every person lives in a certain context and everyone's context is completely different. Thus, the ideals she addresses in this book will look differently to every person in every context. For example, her chapter regarding alcohol and God's perspective. She utilizes scripture to support her perspective on alcohol and christians. But she does not leave out that there are many who have a context that includes alcoholism. Obviously her perspective on alcohol and the Christian would take a different mode with someone whose context includes alcoholism. She leaves this to the reader to discern for themselves.

I appreciate her referencing Scripture and solid believing Christians such as John Piper. Although there was little in the way of practical ideas and suggestions for eating habits, I don't believe that was her essential purpose. It was very much learning how our relationship with Christ can overcome any struggles we have with food.

I received an e-copy of this book from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I am sorry but I really did not enjoy this book and I didn’t finish it which is incredibly rare for me as I normally soldier on.
Probs my just personal preference but definitely not a book for me

This book is a real eye-opener. It gives us a new way of looking at how we see food and the whole dieting fad. I absolutely love how Tilly showed us through scripture how God cares for our health. This is not something that is often spoken of are taught in Christian settings or churches, but is very, very much needed in today’s society where diets and image are the focus focus of many people. Tilly shows us how we are go deeper in worship to God with our bodies. Broken Bread causes us to reflect and forces us to be honest with ourselves – Tilly challenges us to examine our mindsets and the way we see food.

I love this book and would recommend it to anyone. A very good read.

I received a complimentary copy of the ‘Broken Bread’ galley from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review.

Wow...

What a deep book.

Tilly Dillehay has knocked it out of the park with this one.

This book isn't an easy read at all. Tilly uses Broken Bread to take you on a journey of self examination in regards to your relationship with food and how that affects your behavior and relationships with others.

From turning food into an idol, the sin of gluttony, using food as a comfort and then into looking forward to the Supper of the Lamb, this book leads you through many ways that food is used by us in our fallen world and how it can be used to build and nurture relationships. And it is hard to admit the kind of hold that food can have on us. I've learned a new way to look at gluttony in my own life. And gluttony isn't always just stuffing yourself silly.

I really appreciated the backing up with scripture the content of this book. So many books on eating and one's relationship with food totally ignore the spiritual implications it has. Which, one wouldn't think that food can be a spiritual matter, but it sure can be.

Broken Bread can help you balance out your relationship with food on this earth as we look forward to the great Supper of the Lamb to come. I highly recommend this book for anyone who struggles with food, whether it is eating too much, too little or both. And even those who think they have their eating under control.

Good points, but boring....

Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Food is so common in our daily lives yet few books exist on this topic with a biblical perspective. I enjoyed reading this, this book made me consider how I eat. Would have liked a little bit more structure or arguments on some places, but it is overall well written and easy to follow.

I really loved this book! I have always had a difficult time in dealing with food issues and spiritual issues concerning food. Guilt and shame have always been a big part of that.

Tilly Dillehay takes on all of this in this book.

I loved how she portrayed Jesus as the bread of life and that many of the things he did were surrounded by food. She helps us see that there is compassion for those of us who struggle and the way she writes it is just wonderful. One thing she said that really struck me was that with all of the hoopla around food making good choices has become burdensome. I thought that was a great way to describe it. Dillehay helps us redefine our focus on what is important in our spiritual lives, mainly taking the focus off of food and more onto God.

I found this book so good and I will absolutely recommend this to anyone that struggles with this issue.

Broken Bread is described in its subtitle as "how to stop using food and fear to fill spiritual hunger". I was excited to read a Christian perspective on the use of food as a spiritual/emotional crutch, and there were some thought-provoking (and sometimes convicting) statements which I will examine in my own life in regards to asceticism, gluttony, snobbery, and apathy.

My problem with Broken Bread is that it left me feeling more confused about how to stop using food as a crutch rather than providing a path to do so, because the author makes so many generalizations that just don't hold true for many people. She bashes many eating plans being used (and some successfully so) today, making it sound like following such a plan is sinful. If someone follows a plan, such as Keto, the Maker's Diet, etc, and it helps them to put food in perspective and get their body into God-honoring health, who are we to judge that as wrong? I also found that just reading several parts of the description of sugar-laden foods triggered cravings for the very foods so many struggle to gain freedom from. While I believe the author is well-intentioned in her desire to help people, I found this book to more pf a criticism/generalization than a useful tool for how to stop using food and fear to fill spiritual hunger.

Thanks go to NetGalley and Harvest House for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In her book Broken Bread, Tilly Dillehay addresses food struggles and issues in a biblical but unique manner. Her viewpoint is surprising and refreshing in a culture that is obsessed with special diets like Keto, sans gluten, the Maker's Diet, and so on.

Honest about her own past and present struggles, Dillehay guides readers to look at food diffrently, addressing four main food sins she sees in the church, which she calls the four food poles--asceticism, gluttony, snobbery, and apathy. Be forewarned that this isn't some traditional book with traditional views. You just might be challenged by some of the things Dillehay says. She might even step on your toes a bit, but you'll also notice her transparency and openness as well as her compassionate and gentle, non-judgmental attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed being surprised and looking forward to the next "shocking" statements Dillehay would make. At the same time, I felt challenged to really think about some of my food choices, to pray about them and to seek to be a good steward of my body and my resources.

Besides the four poles (asceticism, gluttony, snobbery, and apathy), Dillehay also addresses things like hospitality, food and body image, alcohol and the Christian woman, fasting, and more. Additionally, each chapter ends with "Food for Thought" questions which are great for personal study or for group discussion.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

“God cares much more about how we eat than what we eat.”

I’ve had an unhealthy relationship with food for the majority of my life. I’ve bounced between gluttony and restriction for as long as I can remember. It’s only been in the last year that I believe I’ve TRULY found freedom from food addiction and realized that most of my problems were fueled by shame.

So when this book popped up, I was excited to read it because seemingly so little literature exists on the topic, especially in Christian circles.

I loved the first few chapters. The author discusses all aspects of bondage to food, from food snobbery to McDonald’s binges to anorexia. It’s all there. Some of her takeaways regarding a thankful heart being the key to freedom sat really well with me. I feel like just about everyone could benefit from some of the points being made.

I felt that she shared some wonderful insights regarding judging others for their food that really resonated with me. I tend to see others journeys in relation to mine, rather than accepting someone’s process as their own. And that keeps you from truly loving and engaging with someone because you’re still seeing them through a self centered lens.

Unfortunately, I feel the author is somewhat doing this unintentionally. She tells a few stories about people who choose to eat certain diets and the bravado in which they espouse their dietary choices. She seems to make generalizations that people who choose this lifestyle are extremists or have some idolatry issues. The implication isn’t overt, but it definitely is suggested. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord has used some of these “guidelines” to really restore my relationship with food and I’ve met others with the same testimony. I think because the author had issues with these things in the past, she assumes that others struggle in the same way that she did. Which is not always the case.

Aside from the generalizations, I definitely think this book is worth the read. I think it holds a special spot in the latest non fiction reads. And I would recommend it!