It's hard to get in the door: The Lord's Gym

"It's hard to get in the door" is a series of posts illustrating why those searching for Christ often have a hard time accepting the church. If you have been raised in the church, try imagining what this piece would look like if you had grown up in a world without it. If you are unfamiliar with the culture of church, this will probably seem pretty absurd. All comments are welcome!

Did you catch this one on ABC News two nights ago? In a segment entitled "Heavenly Bodies" we were given an update on the latest trend in Christian fitness centers. The Lord's Gym has as its theme verse, 1 Corinthians 6:19, "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?" From this they, and others, build a theology of looking good and eating healthy. Of course the interpretation of "looking good" and "eating healthy" is left up to those who promote this stuff.

The ABC report features fitness programs like "The 40-Day Extreme Makeover," and books including Body by God, The Hallelujah Diet, and What Would Jesus Eat? The "Bible Bar" is a hot selling item in Christian gyms; it contains the seven foods of Deuteronomy. These are apparently divinely sanctioned for all time. (Can you name all seven foods? See Deuteronomy 8:7-8 to find out what you're missing.)

Folks who subscribe to this craze take Joshua 1:9 very literally (though very out of context): Be strong and courageous. In this case "strong" is interpreted as physical strength. I suppose it could also apply to strong personality, strong leadership style or strong body odor. Certainly it wouldn't reference a strong faith in a powerful, caring God.

In this multi-billion dollar industry, I'm guessing someone is making a lot of money off of Christians. Sounds like more snake oil to me.

You can watch the ABC News report here, and find the article here.   

Comments

[Linda]

I guess that leaves people with disabilities, health problems, or injuries out of the running for God's Extreme Approval and in competition for Body by Satan. WWJS - What Would Jesus Say... or would he just groan in exasperation one more time?

p.s. - Surely chocolate must have been one of the seven hallowed foods!

[Barry Falke]

Tim,

This series is such an important topic for conversation. When you have been in the church culture for so long it is very difficult to get out of the "Christian Ghetto." In so many ways we become blind to even how offensive we can become through our various marketing strategies, inclusivity and Christian lingo we use all the time. It really is no wonder that those who have not chosen to follow Christ see Christianity and religion as a complete turn off.

It really is a combination of two problems I see. First, Christians trying to take the worlds culture and make it its own (The Lords Gym) for instance or those lame tee shirts that play off of clogans of popular brands that I always see at Christian stores. Second we also have a very inclusive language that is solely our own that we are unwilling to give up.

There is hope though. The truth is that fortunately those not in the Chtristian faith seem to like Jesus. They hate our structure and religious piousness but they respect Jesus. I am not sure if you have heard of Dan Kimball but he has a book coming out in March 2007 called: They Like Jesus, But Not The Church. He has spent almost 3 years on this book talking with those in emerging generations about their views on the church vs. their thoughts about Jesus. Should be a great book and could make for an interesting textbook for a class.

Anyway this is far to long. Check out my new blog. I am blogging now at www.missiodeiblog.com

Peace To You!

[Linda]

I just came from a women's bible study that I'm leading. It formed out of women who come regularly to receive assistance from a food pantry. None of them look good. They are all either overweight or too thin largely because of eating (or NOT eating) the wrong kinds of foods. They have health problems aplenty and are missing teeth. Most don't bathe often enough or have the money for nice haircuts and clothing. Yet they come faithfully each week ready to learn what they can, and they give to others with a singular passion (sometimes more than they can afford to give). In my mind, these women shame those that think they are doing God's will by looking good. They may not be up on physical health and beauty, but they understand something about God's kingdom that these Fitness Kings and Queens do not.

[Cameron]

You Americans are really strange sometimes - I'm glad that I am going home to the great south land where things like this don't happen - at least not very much - I think when they do they must be from ex-pat US people. SHALOM Tim - it's been fun.
Cameron