Christian Paths to Health and Wellness

by Peter Walters, John Byl

Most Christian college instructors have taught health and wellness from books that are not God-centered, simply because they have had no choice. Thanks to the development of Christian Paths to Health and Wellness, instructors can empower students to take responsibility and initiative for their own health, fitness, and wellness as part of their daily lives—while offering that instruction in a Christian context. Driven by 1 Corinthians 3:16 (“Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?”), this practical text is based on sound, cutting-edge scientific research and Christian principles. As such, it provides an exciting new approach to teaching health and wellness to help meet part of the Christian college mission. Students will glean these benefits from the text: -A solid foundation in health and wellness theory and research -Multiple Christian perspectives that create a balanced approach to health and wellness across a broad spectrum of Christian beliefs -Study aids, including vocabulary lists, glossary definitions, chapter-opening objectives, and chapter-ending questions, which foster learning and application of the material In addition, Christian Paths to Health and Wellness comes with many instructional aids that are free to course adopters, including Web support with sample course syllabi, a presentation package, and a test package. These aids will help instructors streamline their preparation time while teaching and managing their courses. Written by six contributing experts and edited by two highly respected Christian college instructors, this book stems from the contributors' own experiences in meeting the challenges of teaching in today's Christian colleges. It includes point/counterpoint discussions examining issues students face today, and it provides hope, practical tools and methods for change, and a comprehensiveness that enables students to make gradual and significant permanent change through the wisdom of education and the power of the Holy Spirit. The book focuses on four major themes: how we are made, how we are made to move, how we are to be nourished, and how we are to behave in restful ways. In part I , students are introduced to biblical reasons to value their wellness and examine God's purpose and their own life's mission. They explore body image, eating disorders, and weight management in part II . In part III , students learn about the basics of fitness, including cardiorespiratory, muscular, and flexibility assessment and training. Part IV focuses on nutritional and emotional health and wellness and also looks at wellness as it relates to sleep habits and personal relationships. Part V encourages students to develop a comprehensive strategy to maintain personal wellness in a relationship with God. Through Christian Paths to Health and Wellness, students will learn about and practice making choices that have positive effects on their lifelong fitness and wellness. Students will become aware of physical wellness issues and develop a passion for proactive and permanent lifestyle changes. And they will do it all with a God-centered approach.

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2007

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a textbook for college level students. There was correlating scripture to relate to different aspects of wellness (exercise, body image, dieting, aerobic, strength training, etc.) So if you need to learn the basics and the academia behind exercising this was good. Otherwise just a reference tool.

[Tifani Newton]

You don’t want to know what I think of this book (ok, probably well written, but I am just a student forced to read this book)

[Chase Pheifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched and an important book for Christians to read, as it provides a biblical (as well as scientifically researched) basis for our physical and emotional health in many different areas. I had to read this for a core class in my last semester of college, but I am grateful for what I read in this book. It was not a waste of my time.

I read chapters 1-9 (out of 10 total chapters and a conclusion).

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty informative and motivational and covers various wellness aspects with practical tips provided. Not the best or most definitive out there. Good as a one-time or two-time light read for a quick, short intro of the topics.

One thing I dislike is how much it copy-pastes the Bible like some side argument instead of truly dealing with whole passages of what the Bible is saying. Verses are treated as an additive to the argument instead of the arguments being a byproduct of the the truth of the Word.

I would also appreciate a discussion of to what degree is wellness in its entirety proportionate to our Christian walk on earth. To what extent is it important and not as ultimately important?

With all these said, I highly appreciate how this book seeks to discuss wellness and connect its importance to ourselves as Christians and God’s created beings, a topic rarely brought up in Christian communities or circles. Especially when we are seeing the roles and effects wellness plays into individuals and society as a whole - issues of depression, obesity, mortality rate, sleep, health, and more.

[Erika becker]

Great wellness textbook with a Christian outlook. Nice to view your body in a Godly perspective and why we should take care of it. This book explains the impact of different factors on our bodies and what we should do to live a healthy lifestyle so that our bodies will last. Good read.

[Paige Pagnotta]

This is for my Health & Wellness summer college class. I really like it so far, it's not boring at all (: I'm excited to read more of it.