IS God interested in your fitness? Does it matter to him that you are obese or trim? Does the God who loves your soul also love your body and is keen on your wholesome well-being body, mind and soul?
Nathaniel Birner tackles these and weightier subjects in his first book, God’s Fingerprint on Fitness. Birner, who graduated from the Michigan Lutheran Seminary, owns a strength training gym in Cedar Park, Texas. So, how did he get to become an author?
“As someone who has been overweight and in great shape, graduated from seminary and spent almost 20 years in the fitness industry, has been far from God and in deep relationship with Him, I’m excited to share an honest and biblical evaluation of the way your fitness journey intertwines with your walk with God,” he says in a press release.
At one point in his life, Birner left the church entirely and spent 18 years of his life “in the vain and status-driven fitness industry.” He eventually found his way back to Jesus. Through the book, Birner is ready to shine a biblical light on the state of the fitness industry, self care, body image and shame.
God’s Fingerprint on Fitness is a useful guide for any Christian looking to integrate fitness into their spiritual practice, as well as the Christian coaches and influencers who are leading them.
The fitness industry is still booming and projected to grow at a rate of 33.10% per year until 2028, relative to which there is a severe lack of qualified coaches who haven’t themselves made fitness their entire identity. As a whole, the industry and social media have done far more to damage our self-image than it has to help it,
This book, Birner says, is the result of “more than two years of studying scripture and trying to separate the good from the bad, the eternally valuable lessons from the damaging character traits, that fitness and the fitness industry have to teach us.”
Nathaniel Birner has a rich story to share. Readers of his new book will catch a glimpse into his life to see a story of overcoming challenges and learn what really happens deep in your soul when you reach the goals you set for yourself. He grew up ‘the fat kid,’ completely changed his physique, and opened a successful gym, only to find that without Jesus it’s all meaningless.
The book was created as a definitive guide to help Christian’s struggling with health put fitness in its right place within their spiritual practice, and to help Christian coaches and leaders effectively encourage them while keeping first things first.
“My book will show you that your faith can actually fuel your fitness goals while keeping the focus on Jesus, and then give a practical framework for how to apply it,” Birner adds in the release.
God’s Fingerprint on Fitness: Exploring the Line Between Body and Soul
Nathaniel Birner
On Sale: September 18, 2023
Price: $12.99
Pages: 97
ISBN:979-8-89034-344-4
