"For the Body" (Timothy C. Tennent)

TITLE: For the Body: Recovering a Theology of Gender, Sexuality, and the Human Body (Seedbed Resources)
AUTHOR: Timothy C. Tennent
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020, (272 pages).

The famous author, CS Lewis (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

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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.