"For the Body" by Timothy Tennent is a thought-provoking exploration of the theological significance of the human body. Tennent skillfully navigates complex theological concepts with clarity and depth, shedding light on the biblical understanding of the body and its implications for Christian living. The book's positive aspect lies in its emphasis on the holistic nature of humanity, reminding readers of the sacredness and purpose of their physical existence. However, at times, the theological discussions may become dense and challenging for readers seeking a more accessible approach. Overall, "For the Body" offers valuable insights into the theological and practical implications of embodiment in the Christian faith.

In "For the Body," Timothy Tennent seeks to construct the foundations of a theology of the body for a post-Christian world. Tennent argues that recent struggles on issues involving gender identity, sexuality, and body image, both inside and outside of the church lies in the lack of a robust, biblical understanding of God’s multifaceted design for our physical bodies to experience and glorify Him. The author compares the current cultural wars on the body as akin to the false teaching of Gnosticism in the early church era. In Gnosticism, the physical body is seen as an empty, rotting shell that traps the soul from liberation and freedom. Similarly, our society today see the body either as an obstruction to fulfilling our inner desires or an accessory to be employed based on one’s personal tastes and preferences. The first part of the book concentrates on God’s original design in creation and specifically focuses on God’s mandate for human beings. Tennent underscores how we were made to reflect God’s image primarily through our good and fruitful physical bodies. Moreover, the physical body is the chosen instrument by which God’s own Son comes to dwell with us in His incarnation. Next, Tennent analyzes marriage as a sacred physical and spiritual union that brings forth fruitfulness, stability, and life to the human race. This one-flesh union is a sign that points towards the greatest marriage of all which is between Christ and His church. Furthermore, God’s design for marriages to bring forth children is another icon by which we come to greater appreciation of the interrelationships within the three persons of the Trinity. Even for those who are single, the author points out that celibacy is also a present-day harbinger to our future eschatological state in which human marriage no longer exists. Tennent then pivots to study how the body is a means of grace by which we experience the grace of God such as through the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Moreover, our bodies serve as God’s instruments by which we project God’s grace and love to the world around us in a missional manner so that others can taste and see the goodness of God. In practical terms, our daily acts of sacrificial service through menial, physical tasks enable others to see how our bodies are productive and fruitful. The second part of the book highlights the different ways culture devalues the human body and how Christians ought to respond. The author first addresses how images play a pivotal role in shaping us such as pornography and sexualized media. Next, Tennent ponders several key passages on homosexuality and common arguments made by those who seek to soften the Bible’s teaching against same-sex behaviour and self-identity. In response to culture’s attacks, many churches often either water down biblical doctrine to appease opponents or blatantly reject those struggling with sexual immorality in unloving ways. Part of the solution to these responses is the need for churches to reclaim the authority of the Scripture as the inerrant Word of God and hold fast to its teachings. In addition, we ought to change how we interact with those outside the church from a stance of hostility and fear to a posture of love and gentleness as we firmly proclaim and defend the tenets of our faith. Furthermore, the author argues for stronger discipleship within the local church that interweaves a theology of the body in its instructional material. Churches ought to establish a systematic discipleship framework for new believers and mature Christians so that the congregation is well-equipped to face culture’s countercurrents. Tennent wraps up the book with suggestions to pastors and church leaders on how to lead their congregation towards greater spiritual maturity on this subject and engage with nonbelievers who question the beliefs we hold.

I gladly recommend this book to Christians seeking for a solid primer to understanding God’s intent for our physical bodies. Nearly every day across the news and Internet, we observe society’s battle against the Christian worldview on issues such as gender identity and sexuality. In such circumstances, it is tempting to grow increasingly discouraged and confused as we struggle to witness faithfully without being labelled as being bigoted or old-fashioned. Tennent suggests that instead of trying to defend Christianity’s claims passively against the world’s attacks by either trying to appear less offensive or vehemently denying claims of intolerance, it is more fruitful and effective to assert the beauty and loveliness of God and His design in positive and missional ways. Doing so comes first by gaining a concrete understanding of what the Bible says about our bodies and how we can fulfill God’s mandate for us as His creatures. Without grasping God’s will for us to live as embodied image bearers, we cannot show nonbelievers the compelling and transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Moreover, we need to live faithfully as the community of God in the midst of persecution by radiating the grace, mercy, and love that is found in God alone through our physical bodies in word, thought, and deed. Examples of such living include growing strong marriages, rearing God-fearing children, fostering fruitful friendships, and serving the community sacrificially. Instead of viewing our bodies as hindrances to happiness or tools for self-advancement, we ought to embody God’s truth in and through our physical bodies so that we become a means of grace to bring glory, honour, and praise to the triune God.

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, I was provided a review copy of this book from Zondervan.

Simply excellent work that every christian and ESPECIALLY every pastor/eldest/churchleader should read! It has so many profound points about how christians need a right theology on the body to be able to serve and evangelize todays world that faces increasing confusion in these issues, to know how to deal with the question of homosexuality and also understand why bodily sin is so harmful to our lives.
Tennent establishes at the beginning of the book that our bodies were made to represent God in this world and therefore are good and important. From this very positive standpoint he sets out to show that christians aren't 'against' everything, but that God wants to offer an even better way, a glorious state that will bring true healing to the world.
I was especially impressed by his thoughts about how the bible "bruises" and "blesses" and how it is unpopular and 'offending' in todays' "tyranny of niceness" to hold others to a moral standard that they don't agree with. And yet as christians we are called to experience this 'bruising' all the time - it is part of the gospel (Jesus asks us to die to ourselves and he too has done it himself) and it is the only way to true blessing and freedom.
So many good takeaways from this one! Do yourself a favor and read it!

I thank Netgalley and Zondervan Reflective for ARC to read and review.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tennent has written such a thoughtful and well-researched book on a topic that is often controversial and confusing within Christianity. Everyone has strong opinions when it comes to gender and sexuality, and Tennent does a thoughtful job on bringing nuance to the conversation.

A "culture war" treatise regarding the body and human sexuality.

The author does well at affirming that the body was created by God, was originally good, points to Jesus, and has been corrupted as part of the decay of the creation.

When he turns to start speaking about the "mystery" of marriage, the family, the beauty of singleness, etc., he has many good points, but it seems that he is more invested in an Augustinian anthropology than a strictly Biblical one. I would imagine the author would not see any daylight between the two, but Augustine, like the rest of us, has his priors, and when it comes to the body that must be frankly admitted.

His discussion of the "sacramental" nature of the body, that it should be dedicated to God and all that demands, is effective. His survey of society is a predictable jeremiad about the current norms regarding human sexuality.

The author tries diligently to be the most gentle and hospitable he can be in fighting the culture war, but make no mistake: this is a treatise shaped by the culture war and looking to advance an argument in the culture war. If that's what you're looking for, that's what this is. If you're looking for a comprehensive Christian anthropology, this isn't it. If you're looking for a Christian sexual anthropology, this still really isn't it.

Tennent captures the essential problem with too many Christian discussions about sins of the body: you can only go so far by talking about what not to do. Eventually you have to give people a positive vision of what the body is for. Each chapter is carefully written and fits into a well-crafted argument about the need to develop a better sense of the body's spiritual dimension.

This book was a little hard for me to comprehend some areas, however it was a good book to read on the subject of our bodies.

I graciously received an advance e-copy for review. All opinions are my own.

The famous author, GK Chesterton was once asked by a newspaper publisher to write about: "What's wrong with the world?" Chesterton wrote back with a witty reply: "I am." In one short crisp message, he has managed to show us the real problem with the world: Sin. Fast forward to our modern age, if we were to answer the same question, what would that be? If posed to author and professor Timothy Tennent, it might be due to our failure to understand or to articulate a holistic view of the human body. In a sexualized culture, we need to recover the original purpose of what it means to be human. We cannot simply put out fires of cultural aberrations without dealing with the cause of the fires. We cannot simply try to bridge the divide between the conservatives and the progressives just by dealing with the morality and social justice matters respectively. From abortion rights to same-sex marriage; gender identities to political disputes; our world will continue to be torn apart as long as people fail to have a positive vision of the purpose of the human body. We need a proper theology of the body to help the Church lead the way in addressing a wide range of issues in our culture. Tennent shows us how to do just that in three ways. First, he describes the seven key building blocks of the theology of the body. Second, he exposes the cultural messages and environment we are in that continues to tarnish God's purpose. Finally, he offers a redemptive way forward to bring about a "discipled body."

Part One of the book is how Tennent lays the seven building blocks of the theology of the body. They are:
1) God's creation is good and the physical bodies God had made us is good.
2) God created us in His Image for a redemptive purpose.
3) Marriage as defined as between a man and a woman shines a theological light on the Christ and the Church.
4) Procreation and how we are co-creators with God to reflect the mystery of the Trinity and how we can flourish in community living
5) Apart from the choices of marriage or celibacy, friendship is an equally valid option.
6) Our bodies are to embody God's saving purposes and His love.
7) Mission for God includes the faithful working out of ordinary activities.

Part Two of the book warns us about how we have been influenced by culture around us. Beware of digitally altered images that warp our sense of reality. Instead of letting sin, pornography or cultural preferences shape our understanding of what it means to be human, we need to bring about positive perspectives of the wholesome beauty of the body. Of particular interest is the rise of the digital selves which is a rising trend (and threat) to our theology of the body. It challenges our perception of reality. It also shapes our views of other people. We can use media to communicate and to connect, but media is but a temporal replacement before the real thing face to face. Tennent also tries to nuance the different perceptions of sexuality and gender, reminding us that the slogans used are often a small part of the whole. We cannot let these small representations shape our total understanding. Neither should we allow them to pull us by our noses. The deeper issues behind such highly charged debates and controversies is the ethical framework we adopt consciously or unconsciously. For example, those who demonstrate on the basis of individual human rights to do anything they want, have been consumed by an "individualistic, utilitarian view of the human body." For such groups, personal rights trump moral boundaries. With such boldness, they too are willing to bend the Bible to their views. Tennent argues that we all need to go back to the consistent vision of Scripture pertaining to the moral order established in the creation narrative.

Part Three is much about how God redeems the world through the gospel. Preachers should not use the Bible as material for thumping others down. Neither should dissenters use the same Bible to bash views they are adamantly against. Instead learn from Emmy Kregler's journey on understanding biblical authority; the accusation that the Bible supports hate speech; and the challenge of applying moral arguments in a pluralistic and relativistic society. We need consistency in applying biblical authority to all aspects of sin, and not just choice portions. Discipleship programs ought to emphasize the seven building blocks of the body in order to prevent further malaise. We need to re-educate the Church and the people of God on these building blocks on a regular basis.

My Thoughts
==============
The Church has often been seen for what they are against rather than what they are for. This book solidifies seven theological building blocks and five fundamental discipleship catechesis plan. These forward thrusts are what we need the Church to stand up for. That is not just an important reminder for Church people but also for Christians at large to go back to the fundamentals instead of dwelling on the peripherals. As long as we try to beat one another up on the differences we have, we will miss the opportunities to build on the similarities we share. These similarities include the Sovereignty of our Creator; the goodness of creation; the effects of the Fall; our biblical image bearers of being male and female; the sacramental nature of the body; the dignity of not just being married or staying single but the beauty of friendship; the redemptive means of God's grace; on community living; and the glorious biblical vision of the world that is to come.

Whether we call ourselves conservatives or progressives; liberal or fundamental; pro-life or pro-choice; we should not begin with our differences but start with our similarities. Slogans from either side are not helpful. Neither is it the loose labeling of hate-speech on any group. One important part of the book is the "Guidance for Christian Leaders" chapter which lists down several important tips for leaders to take note. Tennent calls them "pastoral challenges" in how we respond to the five challenges of today. This chapter itself is worth the price of the book.

Timothy C. Tennent (PhD, University of Edinburgh, Scotland) is President, Professor of World Christianity at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author of Building Christianity on Indian Foundations and Christianity at the Religious Roundtable. Dr. Tennent and wife, Julie, reside in Wilmore, Kentucky, with their two children, Jonathan and Bethany.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Zondervan Reflective and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Based on the description I knew that this was a book I wanted to read. I want to understand more in the area of gender and sexuality but within the context of the Bible.

The author begins with seven key building blocks for a theology of the body. The next section deals with culture and what that has to say about the body. The final section is about how we go forward and it might not be what you are thinking.

Yes, this is a theology book but I have to say that it does not read like one. It is easy to understand and interesting to read. It kept my attention and I wanted to keep reading.

This is a topic that individuals and the church need to have grounded in the truth of God's Word. I recommend this book.

I read an e-copy of the book but liked it so much. I want a hard copy of my shelf to read again and reference.


Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book. The review is my own thoughts and opinions.