Podcasts · Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis

A Theology of Exercise: Why Christians Should Train Their Bodies for God's Glory

7 Jul 2026 · 44 min

What does the Bible actually say about exercise, fitness, and taking care of your body?

In this conversation, a Desiring God pastor and author David Mathis unpacks a biblical theology of exercise — covering the six-layer biblical story of the human body (creation, the fall, the incarnation, the indwelling Holy Spirit, obedience, and future glorification), how to think about 1 Timothy 4:8 ("bodily training is of some value"), and why sedentary modern life and body-idolatry are two ditches to avoid.

This episode is brought to you by our ministry partner Accountable2You. Join thousands living in freedom with nothing to hide, and visit https://accountable2you.com/dialin. Use our unique code DIALIN to get 25% off your first year of an Accountable2You Personal or Family Plan

Topics covered:

• Why exercise matters for the mind, will, joy, and love of others

• Bodily discipline and Christian stewardship of the body

• The connection between physical exercise and mental clarity (John Ratey's "Spark")

• Competition, sports, and a Christian view of winning and losing

• Practical advice for sedentary Christians who want to start exercising

• How pastors and knowledge workers can build sustainable fitness habits

• A theology of the body: from creation to resurrection Great for anyone interested in Christian living, biblical theology, faith and fitness, health and wellness from a Christian worldview, or building sustainable exercise habits for the long term (a "ten-year plan," not a quick fix).

📖 Learn more and find the book at DesiringGod.org

The episode on the publisher’s site ↗ (opens in a new tab)