A biblical view of physical exercise

[Free]

"To begin, body or soul is a false dichotomy. As Paul makes clear in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, physical fitness and spiritual fitness don’t have to be either-or; they’re best as both-and. The body and soul have an inseparably reflexive relationship: the body affects the soul, and the soul affects the body. God created us to glorify him by enjoying him, and the body is the soul’s training partner in the pursuit of spiritual pleasures. In his recent book, A Little Theology of Exercise, David Mathis explains this beautifully:

I want my life to center on glory and joy — God’s glory in and through me, and my joy in and through him. I come to the topic of exercise unashamedly in pursuit of my joy in God. I exercise my body for the sake of my soul. I am seeking to make physical exercise serve spiritual joy in God. (48)

Mathis highlights a host of ways exercise facilitates satisfaction in God. Perhaps the most significant to me over the years has been that fitness increases my capacity to enjoy God by giving me new categories to know God and his design for the Christian life. Exercise has become a spiritual training ground, a practice field, that strengthens my will and shapes my soul."

https://www.desiringgod.org/article...6duvXqfW5COLJMhuR9_aem_5_KfukP1901Fmrdsty64Sw

And one must also consider the numerous cognitive and physical benefits that may help one live a longer, healthier life and so be of more use to God's kingdom.

 

[jasonc]

I don't disagree with the benefits but as my brother observed and I warned him ,marathon running is very time consuming and often idolatry .I have ran a half marathon years ago and to train for that will involve a lot of running .my boss did iron man . the benefits for health for the heart isn't much more then one who does cardio for thirty minutes three times a week .

 

[Free]

I don't disagree with the benefits but as my brother observed and I warned him ,marathon running is very time consuming and often idolatry .I have ran a half marathon years ago and to train for that will involve a lot of running .my boss did iron man . the benefits for health for the heart isn't much more then one who does cardio for thirty minutes three times a week .

The benefits of running pretty much begin to diminish after 5km. Exercise certainly can become idolatrous. But, it does honour God and one could even use the time while running to meditate on Scripture.

 

[jasonc]

The benefits of running pretty much begin to diminish after 5km. Exercise certainly can become idolatrous. But, it does honour God and one could even use the time while running to meditate on Scripture.

for me walking is easy .I get paid to do it .to quell the mind ,MMA can help as it teaches one to control the emotions .well all good martial arts does.

locally paths exist walking on sidewalks while wearing head sets I wouldn't advise .It can be done as I have read routes and listened to music but I avoid a1a and rt 60 ,43rd for good reasons while reading meters as traffic can be chaotic and the bikes along that use sidewalks .often the homeless on e bikes .

mma,BJJ can work the cardio and core.

 

[jasonc]

jaci wants to walk . I have outpaced her easily but I choose not to as she doesn't know the area . she wanted to walk routes which I couldn't let her . my routes are often gated communities .

 

[Christ_empowered]

Interesting conversation…

So in trying to get back into exercise. Especially since getting truly saved, I’ve been better able to see how some seemingly basic things…good selections types of exercise…now often are part of a bigger lifestyle package at least…more so than in years past. And…

With exercise I’ve already had a friend recommend some yoga lady’s online streaming services. I politely declined and said I’d look into Pilates…

Because Pilates seems less infused with new age vibes and more of an exercise program not a lifestyle. Here’s hoping

I’ve noticed that some martial arts enthusiasts get enmeshed in a lifestyle too. I’m not anti karate or anything but it’s my observation.

Gym goers who get involved in the gym going subculture…also an issue.

I dunno for me personally exercising is going to be a mostly personal experience and I’m blessed to be in a position now where I can pursue reasonable physical activity in my own terms. I have a relative who was super active super into the latest restrictive diets and some supplements and…

He ended up having a near fatal heart attack. I think his numbers…weight total cholesterol etc..were good but..yup he almost died. The diet and fitness obsession was just part of his driven intense lifestyle but I think it’s the part that turned out to be especially damaging over the long term. Moderation is key …

 

[jasonc]

you can .the hard part is challenging yourself . the monotony of walking for me has to overcome by a place with either scenery I like or history .

my wife loves Toni Robinson preserve .I don't .the view is meh despite I can see a few historical places in the distance .I prefer Petravice park because it's history includes very old st Lucie county ,Brevard county history . a pioneer house is nearby and his park is abutted to that. plus well the scenery to get there that is from pre us1 days of ft Pierce .

 

[Christ_empowered]

Awesome

My problem with walking is…I’m a pariah lol. Seriously . I’ve been out in my patio more lately and it’s kind of intense with people I don’t know walking their dogs past my place and making comments. I’m not emo about it but it’s sort of tiring after a while. So…

Pilates! I can stream it and such. Good times. Yoga is problematic from a Christian perspective I think and I’m not even super fundamentalist.

Excessive self love is a sin too and I think that’s part of what drives excesses in dieting and exercising. To be fair social factors play a role too.

 

[Hidden In Him]

"To begin, body or soul is a false dichotomy. As Paul makes clear in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, physical fitness and spiritual fitness don’t have to be either-or; they’re best as both-and. The body and soul have an inseparably reflexive relationship: the body affects the soul, and the soul affects the body. God created us to glorify him by enjoying him, and the body is the soul’s training partner in the pursuit of spiritual pleasures. In his recent book, A Little Theology of Exercise, David Mathis explains this beautifully:

I want my life to center on glory and joy — God’s glory in and through me, and my joy in and through him. I come to the topic of exercise unashamedly in pursuit of my joy in God. I exercise my body for the sake of my soul. I am seeking to make physical exercise serve spiritual joy in God. (48)

Mathis highlights a host of ways exercise facilitates satisfaction in God. Perhaps the most significant to me over the years has been that fitness increases my capacity to enjoy God by giving me new categories to know God and his design for the Christian life. Exercise has become a spiritual training ground, a practice field, that strengthens my will and shapes my soul."

https://www.desiringgod.org/article...6duvXqfW5COLJMhuR9_aem_5_KfukP1901Fmrdsty64Sw

And one must also consider the numerous cognitive and physical benefits that may help one live a longer, healthier life and so be of more use to God's kingdom.

Yes. I have taken up exercise again as of the last 5 days or so, and I just feel much better. The lethargy that sets in when you let things go effects your spirit, and the older you get the more I think it can lead to thoughts of depression and that feeling like you are slowly dying away. Exercise suddenly makes you feel fit again, and it boosts your mood. So while I don't know that I can fully agree that body or soul is a false dichotomy, I can certainly agree that the state of the body effects the soul because thanks to the last five days I am living proof.

Blessings,
- H

 

[Hidden In Him]

"To begin, body or soul is a false dichotomy. As Paul makes clear in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, physical fitness and spiritual fitness don’t have to be either-or; they’re best as both-and. The body and soul have an inseparably reflexive relationship: the body affects the soul, and the soul affects the body. God created us to glorify him by enjoying him, and the body is the soul’s training partner in the pursuit of spiritual pleasures. In his recent book, A Little Theology of Exercise, David Mathis explains this beautifully:

I want my life to center on glory and joy — God’s glory in and through me, and my joy in and through him. I come to the topic of exercise unashamedly in pursuit of my joy in God. I exercise my body for the sake of my soul. I am seeking to make physical exercise serve spiritual joy in God. (48)

Mathis highlights a host of ways exercise facilitates satisfaction in God. Perhaps the most significant to me over the years has been that fitness increases my capacity to enjoy God by giving me new categories to know God and his design for the Christian life. Exercise has become a spiritual training ground, a practice field, that strengthens my will and shapes my soul."

https://www.desiringgod.org/article...6duvXqfW5COLJMhuR9_aem_5_KfukP1901Fmrdsty64Sw

And one must also consider the numerous cognitive and physical benefits that may help one live a longer, healthier life and so be of more use to God's kingdom.

If I may, Free, what exercises do you engage in?

 

[Free]

If I may, Free, what exercises do you engage in?

Just resistance training.