“On the strength of one verse whose context is completely ignored, and in opposition to the myriad of verses that teach how beneficial it is to eat right and be physically active, Christians will be diabetes deacons and pop-the-buttons pastors and morbidly obese members, all while congratulating themselves on their imagined spirituality.” (“Fitness and Faith: Allies, not Adversaries,” Page 15)
Sometimes, non-religious people make some pretty accurate assessments of the church world. One prime example, I think, is when they point out the hypocrisy of a pastor being morbidly obese while railing on drinking, smoking, tattoos and other things that either alter or damage the body.
There is currently a video making the rounds on the internet of a preacher who fits that description. The interesting thing about this one, though, is that he proudly defends obesity, even casting it as a spiritual thing, and goes so far as to mock those who are disciplined enough to eat right and work out. It is very much a “double down on the quarter pounders” kind of thing, and one that is unbiblical, unwise and unhealthy all at once.
The gentleman did try to quote one verse, 1 Timothy 4:8, in defense of his belief, though he did not get the reference correct. The quote I began the column with adequately addresses that, I think. As is common, though, he did not mention the volumes of Scripture that teach the opposite of what he is endorsing. There are far too many to give in one column, but here is a sampling.
1 Corinthians 6:19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”