A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul

by David Mathis

A Pastor Looks at Physical Exercise and Its Potential to Serve Spiritual Life and Joy

We live in an age dominated by screens. For many, life is sedentary, and it's become increasingly difficult to prioritize physical activity. Quietly conformed to this new normal, they feel sluggish and unmotivated. Others, however, have become entangled in a fitness culture that prioritizes the self, fuels pride, and coddles idolatry. Is it possible to make exercise holy?

A Little Theology of Exercise explores how stewarding our bodies can serve the soul, honor God, and bless others. Combining biblical texts with practical guidance, pastor and author David Mathis encourages readers to embrace modest exercise as a way to deepen their knowledge and enjoyment of Christ and then reflect his love in the world. By placing Christ at the center of physical training, readers will discover a greater joy in exercise and an even deeper joy in their relationship with God.

Christ Demonstrates how effective body stewardship serves the soul, fostering the ability to know and enjoy Christ better Helps readers embrace new healthy habits while navigating the challenges of sub-Christian motivations In our sedentary age, this resource spurs physical movement and aims to enrich spiritual joy Written by David Bestselling author of Habits of Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Christian Living, Christianity, Faith

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

David Mathis (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando) is executive editor at desiringGod.org and an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. His seminary experience includes Reformed Theological Seminary and Bethlehem College & Seminary, where he now serves as adjunct professor.

Reviews

[Christabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & sweet of it: God is most glorified when we are satisfied in Him, and a lot of that happens when we’re able to enjoy life. Enjoyment of life is aided by tending to our physical, mental, and spiritual health, and exercise actually positively affects all of those things.

Mathis makes a biblical case for the importance of moderate exercise, with both references to Scripture, as well as from his (and other pastors) experiences in regards to the link between physical and spiritual vitality. I really appreciated his footnote on those living with disabilities, also!

Personally, as one who is a modest enjoyer of physical activity, this read was refreshing & a great reminder of why I do what I do. Bettering one’s quality of life linked to movement & physical appearance aside, I’m met with the challenge to consider specifically how it all ultimately is to God’s glory. That comes first, then the rest follows as wonderful side effects.

So whether you’re one who already enjoys exercise in some way, or are perhaps one who lives in a more sedentary fashion for whatever reason, read this! It’s worth the conviction either way.

[Ryanne Molinari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent - actually listened while on a morning run. :) Loved the reminder that “fitness” implies that we are fit for something—and for Christians, that is good works and worship.

[Tim Michiemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 Stars

David Mathis’ A Little Theology of Exercise is an excellent book on the Christian body and exercise. Mathis’ thesis is that we should enjoy God not only through our spirituality but through our physicality as well. He teaches in this book that strenuous exercise is a way we glorify God and enjoy Him more fully. Particularly striking to me was the encouragement that God designed our minds to work better when we are physically active, and that mental clarity and energy allow us to focus more on God and be more active in doing good. This was a well-written book and an excellent reminder to resist the worldly urge toward sluggishness and laziness, and to be active for the glory of God. Great read!

[Mary Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book was FANTASTIC. Such a helpful mindset shift on a topic that has often been plagued with pride for me.

Mathis did a good job threading the needle of putting exercise in its place under godliness, while simultaneously holding out for his readers the genuine value it offers. He also helped me make the connection between bodily exercise and Christian joy.

The science he presented was helpful as well. He balanced scientific studies with helpful explanations for lay people.

If I had one critique, it would be this: towards the beginning of the book, Mathis uses the lives of Biblical characters to support the value of movement. However, most of what he emphasizes in their lives was necessary, not chosen, due to the lack of technology at the time. Therefore, those portions felt like weak arguments for the Bible’s defense of movement. However, Mathis does incorporate other strong Biblical arguments for exercise from scripture at other points.

Overall, this book was easy to read, well-written, and an incredibly refreshing defense for something our culture gets so wrong. This will definitely prompt conversations and habits for our household.

[Bekka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. I am now on day 10 of consistently exercising. And I’m loving it. That’s the best review I can give this helpful, little book - I inhaled the content, was convicted by the content, learned from it, and started applying it right away.

[Aneurin Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be extended, because I really enjoyed it. I think the arguments display a great introduction into a subject of Christianity not often spoken of! Hopefully, this book will lead to a greater discussion of how exercise is beneficial to us, not just physically but spiritually!

[Gabriella Da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting, encouraging, and glorifying.

I have a lot to reflect AND take action on after this reading. I confess my heart posture is very different to what is presented here. Much of what he explains, I have never even considered before.

Small but packed with wisdom. Highly recommend!

“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor‬ ‭6‬:19-20‬ ‭

“The Christian life is an embodied life. God doesn't free us from our bodies at conversion, as if they were prisons. He leaves us in them-glorious and broken as they are. The Christian life, growth, ministry, and love happen in the body. This is our tent for life in Christ in this age”.

[Isaiah Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with some scientific tidbits, Mathis reminds us that exercise makes us more ready and able to glorify God in our bodies, conditions our minds, strengthens our wills, points to a deeper satisfaction, and frees us to love others in challenging ways.

[Alex Dunkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians should exercise… or at least go for walks.

[Kay’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Theology of Exercise by David Mathis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a really solid, quick read! It’s approachable, easy to follow, and written in a way that makes biblical perspectives feel practical rather than overwhelming. I especially appreciated how clearly the author’s train of thought came through as it felt intentional and well-structured from start to finish. ☺️

What stood out to me most was the emphasis on how sedentary modern life has become, especially when God designed our bodies to MOVE!! This book encourages readers to think biblically about exercise, and I felt that it delivered exactly that. While it wasn’t a life-changing read for me, it offered a lot of thoughtful and convicting points that reframed how I think about physical activity. 🏃‍♀️

One of the core messages is that exercise is a form of stewardship - caring for our bodies not for vanity, but for the sole purpose of glorifying God and loving others well. I loved that this book blends Scripture with science, which made the arguments feel both grounded and accessible.

This book was a helpful reminder that our bodies are temples and vessels meant for God’s glory. It challenges the mindset that exercise is primarily about looking good and instead reframes it as a way of doing good. Bodily training becomes far more valuable when it serves godliness rather than self-promotion! ❤️

These five reasons for why Christians should exercise were especially impactful to me:
1. It brings joy to the soul
2. It glorifies God as image-bearers
3. It conditions the brain and supports the mind
4. It develops willpower and discipline
5. It enables us, out of love, to better serve others

The author also thoughtfully addresses how God commends good and hard work, and how laziness can be both a physical and spiritual danger. I really appreciated this perspective and the balance the author strikes throughout the book 👏

Overall, this is a great read if you’re looking for a biblical framework for exercise without guilt, legalism, or obsession - just a call to faithful stewardship and purposeful movement. 🙏

***
Note: I received a free copy of this book from Crossway Publishers for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own! Thank you, Crossway!

[Peter Yock · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid read. But with a few blind spots, and it left me wanting more.

By his own admission, David Mathis is a disciple of John Piper through and through. His devotion to John’s teaching and the ‘Desiring God’ mindset and framework are both a strength and a weakness - a strength for its Jesus-loving gospel-centredness. A weakness, because it just has a feel for being overly familiar, unoriginal. The same set of thoughts repeated on a different topic.

I loved how it majored on the primacy of the gospel, and how exercise helps us to glorify and serve god and people. Good stuff.

But it was a little weak on biblical theology. Sure, it’s true to say that Jesus and his disciples walked a lot more than we do today. And the workers worked in trades, in a much more physical way than most of us do today. But does that make walking lots godly? Does that make working in a trade more godly than at a desk? If Jesus were alive today, would he have walked as much as he did, or would he have used a vehicle? I’m guessing he wouldn’t have walked. Just because Jesus walked so much 2000 years ago doesn’t mean I need to walk from armidale to Sydney to be like him.

I also wanted to hear more detail on exercise. It was deep on theology but lite on specifics of how it plays out in different forms of exercise. For example, he said nothing about a common issue in Australia and many countries - the problem of both adults and children devoting themselves to team sports over and above church (and to practice over and above Bible studio or youth group etc). Something on idolising sport and exercise would also have been very helpful.

It’s good. But left me wanting a lot more.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I start to write a review for this great little book, I keep getting off track wanting to tell you what a gift from the Lord exercise has become for me in the last year or two. That’s another story for another day, but suffice it to say that David Mathis has beautifully summed up what I want everyone to know! God is pro-body, and in his great wisdom designed our bodies to function best when we are taking care of them holistically. Moving our bodies is good not only for our physical health, but for our mental and spiritual health too.

If you’d like some positive motivation to get moving without shame, pick up this little book and be encouraged.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Crossway for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

"The health of the soul being ultimate doesn't mean that the health of the body is insignificant or marginal."

[Natalie Knopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first audio book! A quick listen but so rich in content. Mathis helps readers understand how the body is created and viewed by God and when we discipline ourselves to exercise, that then spills over into disciplining ourselves with other Christlike practices. In biblical times, they didn’t have to necessarily think about moving their bodies every day as they had to for travel and daily work. But for us today, physical exertion is a conscious effort that is stimulates our brain and helps our bodies be vessels of good use for the kingdom. A good read!

[Abby Litrenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is generally geared towards people who struggle to make exercise a habit or who don’t really see the value in it, so it wasn’t as helpful as I thought it would be (as I’m more prone to excess here). However, there were a few really great takeaways for me: (1) the discipline exerted in consistently exercising often reinforces discipline in other areas; (2) prevent exercising for shallow reasons by consecrating each session to the Lord, praying and thanking God before and throughout exercise; (3) it’s an incredible gift to have a body that works—use it as the resource it is!

[Gina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mercifully short but packed full little book. I actually think I’m going to add this to my high schoolers’ required reading. As someone that has exercised (mostly regularly with some breaks) for the last 20+ years it wasn’t just more “work out so you’ll feel better.” It presented what I’ve articulated a few times but really flushed out the idea, that we exercise to be able to serve better. For our joy in glorifying God even with our bodies. Lots of scripture and easy to read.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very convicting and just what I needed to guide me into taking care of my body.

[Laurel Meijer · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5, no notes. listened to this as an audiobook for a few days when getting ready or driving to work- would love to order the physical copy. does a great job of connecting the scientific to the spiritual when it comes to exercise, and how regular physical movement- for those who are able- is a gift and a calling for believers, especially in the current age of physical (and spiritual and emotional) stagnancy.

will read again!

[Connor Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spending my whole life doing sports and being in athletic environments ive never thought this deeply about the glory of God while training. One of the biggest things that stood out is how he talks about exercise becoming sin when it’s done for the wrong reasons. Working out isn’t bad but when the goal is to look good, get attention, or build identity around your body, it turns into something it was never meant to be.

The book doesn’t tell you to stop training or care less. If anything it encourages discipline but with the RIGHT HEART!! Training the body has value but it’s never supposed to replace Christ or become the thing you chase for approval.

“I exercise my body for the sake of my soul. I am seeking to leverage the body God gave me for my joy in him to his glory and the good of others.”

God has made us for his glory and in his image so we should make him look good in and through our lives.

This book has truly blessed me and has reminded me that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him!

[Vivian Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Those of us who are able to move and exercise our bodies would do well to be more regularly and consciously thankful to God. An able body in this sin-sick worked is a precious gift not to be taken for granted.”

Very well-written, short book emphasizing the importance of caring for our bodies considering they are gifts from God; bought with His Son and sustained as His temple. He also made frequent mention of how all physical ailments, diseases, etc. all point to the sin-filled world we live in. Very encouraging, especially near the end when he makes light of how we must bring glory to God in our actions!

“For the runner, the eyes of faith fuel us to press harder when we would rather slow down because we’re looking beyond the hill in front of us.”

[Lauren Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read about a topic that has not been talked about much in Christian spaces. Especially not in spaces women occupy. I’ve been chewing on this idea a lottt since 2023 (iykyk👩‍🦽‍➡️🤭) and felt like it put words to many thoughts. Get out there and move for the glory of the Lord and the health of your mind!!!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and straight forward work that will make you want to work out. I appreciated how theological and biblical this book was. It probably won’t introduce anything new, but it will help you think biblically about exercise. It is less a call for serious devotion to fitness and more of a call to honor God with our bodies.

[Jill Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Great, short, encouraging read. Will re-read in the future. Available on hoopla!

[Harlee DiNello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only a 2 hour listen! Listened to it in the car and it was great. Really practical and would recommend to all Christians.

[Emma Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but impactful look at how to steward our bodies and their exercise from a biblical viewpoint. Mathis goes over how salvation history has affected our bodies, how societal norms and technology are actually discouraging exercise, and biblical motivations for exercise as a means of glorifying God, all while sprinkling in fascinating facts about our bodies that pointed me in awe to our Creator. Directed toward both believers with a more sedentary lifestyle as well as those who have a regular habit of exercise, I would *highly* recommend this to anyone with a body seeking to steward it well.

(it's available as a little over 2 hr audiobook on spotify premium ✌️)

[Brenden Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for any Christian looking for biblical and natural reasons to pursue physical fitness and discipline!

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 I softly recommend

David Mathis claims to offer a short book on the theology of exercise, yet it provides little in the way of exercise and much more in the way of Christian Hedonism (CH). Do not get me wrong, there are nuggets about exercise within the book, but those sections could have been expanded. He quotes early church fathers who promoted exercise, but merely uses them as quotable examples when he could have developed their thoughts further. Moreover, it would have been far more interesting to see him explain the historical context of exercise in the first century.

As I am writing this review, I find myself thinking that this book really serves as a primer for what could be a much larger work. In many ways, it reads like a lengthy introduction to that larger book. I understand that this was not the aim of the author, who was trying to write at a lay level, but in doing so the work feels somewhat lacking. I think more breadth could have served this book well, regardless of how one feels about Christian Hedonism.

That said, I do think Mathis has identified something worthwhile here. He introduces a hermeneutical principle (CH), includes some exegesis, references contemporary science, cites early historical voices, and even provides some practical application. Yet I am still left with the now what feeling. Perhaps others will read this work and say that I am being too critical, especially since the author states that he is not attempting to write a “how to exercise” manual, although he does recommend walking at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Even so, the book lacks breadth, and a chapter outlining practical ways to begin exercising would have given the work more umpf.

At the very least, this book may provide the spark needed for the author, or someone else, to write a fuller volume on the subject. I did underline several passages and will likely quote them when encouraging others to begin exercising.

[Kevin Halloran]

A helpful little ditty on exercise for the glory of God and benefit of man (so we can better enjoy God).

His appendix "Get Shredded in Five Days with This One Simple Trick" surprised me. (Kidding)

[Katelynn O'Lessker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, its brevity and simplicity. In it, I found my own views of exercise reflected in the sense that I have learned over the last several years that I am most motivated to consistently exercise when I am doing it for the purpose of glorifying God in my body—training it so that I am physically fit to do my duties both now and, Lord-willing, long into the future. Mere vanity is not a lasting motivation, nor is it one that ultimately honors the Lord. Sure, we can exercise to lose weight; but to what end? This book does an excellent job driving home the point that exercise can help us be better equipped to glorify God.

I would classify it as an encouragement to exercise for the right reasons, more than it is a rebuke against slothfulness and inactivity. I’d imagine that your friends who already exercise would find this more impactful than your friends who don’t.

[Savannah Dauster · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As we’re able, let’s exercise our body for the conditioning and wellness of our souls and satisfaction in Christ, which glorifies him and overflows in love toward others.”

Excellent, very tiny. So itty bitty I could add it to my workout playlist on Spotify.
What’s stopping you from reading it??? This book could have been an article!!

Format: audio. Fine quality, but this man sounds like he has only ever heard words spoken aloud by one singular individual and that person is John piper

[Carly Weems · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO GOOD. such a quick read- took me less than an hour so everyone should read this! Honestly such a good book on identity as well. I LOVE David Mathis and him and his John Piper influence always make God so beautiful!!!