For the Body: Recovering A Theology of Gender, Sexuality, and the Human Body

Reviewed by:

Emma Goossen from Grand Haven, Michigan, a Communication student at Taylor University in Upland, IN.

 REVIEW INTRODUCTION

Title:

For the Body: Recovering A Theology of Gender, Sexuality, and the Human Body

Author:

Timothy Tennent

Publisher:

Zondervan

http://www.zondervan.com/

Publication Date:

2020

Format:

Print book

Length:

270 pages 

OVERVIEW

For the Body, is a book that focuses on how Christians should view the body in light of what the Bible has to say. This view is referred to by the author, Timothy Tennent, as a “theology of the body.”

Tennet begins by framing why Christians should care about the topic of the body in regard to today’s cultural landscape. He speaks to many societal norms that have embedded themselves in our culture but are contradictory to Christian theology. Tennet lays out how we, as Christians, recognize that which is corrupt in our culture—such as, homosexuality, transgenderism, and so on—but he claims that each issue can all be linked to a corrupt theology of the body.

The book is broken up into three parts, each describing how our bodies are talked about to us, talked about in culture, and how to move forward in our understanding of our bodies. Underneath these three parts, Tennent gives his readers seven aspects to build their own theology of the body. This idea of developing one’s own theology of the body is a key concept through the book and is connected to much in the Christian life.

In conjunction with the topic of building theology, the book breaches the topics of God’s purpose for our bodies, marriage, singleness, the dangers of objectification, family, and much more. All of these subjects a presented from a biblical viewpoint. In the last chapter, Tennent also gives instruction for “discipling the body,” as he calls it, which is training those around us on how to determine their own theology of the body.

These are all deep conversations to have all in one book. But the qualifications of the author allow him to present wisdom on these difficult discussions. Timothy Tennent is currently the president of Asbury Theological Seminary, as well as a professor of Global Christianity. His understanding and experience with the topics in For the Body is evident from the beginning, creating a trust in readers as they grow their understanding of these sensitive topics.

ASSESSMENT

Rating:

5 out of 5

Suggested Audience

As a slight word of caution, this book does discuss mature themes that may be inappropriate for a younger audience. An adult readership is recommended. As the topic is the body and sexuality, the words related to these topics are used frequently. That being said, those who have an interest in Christian theology would find this book to be exactly what any theological text should be: filled with scriptural references and examples taken from well-known theologians.

 Christian Impact

As is made clear from the very begging of this book, having a correct theology of the body is vital for any Christian seeking to understand the contrast between the biblical and secular view of the body.

The author makes an unbreakable case for why having a theology of the body is a necessity for any Christian. To further that case, he gives seven steps to forming your own theology. He not only illustrates a fundamental problem in society, but also gives introduction for those willing to develop their own biblically grounded theology of the body.

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