Great book! It’s well-organized, crystal clear, deeply theological, immensely practical, and very interesting.

Well-organized

In the introduction of the book, I was told what I would read in each chapter (pp. 16-20). Then, the start of each chapter told me what I was going to read including an introductory question, the big idea of the chapter, and the main application question. And then the conclusion of the book told me what I just read. Is all this too redundant? No. It’s a sign of good writing. It makes the reading experience smooth and easy. I knew exactly where I was going so I could enjoy the ride.

Crystal Clear

This is a feature of all Gregg Allison’s books. He defines his terms with clarity and simplicity. So as I read, I know exactly what he means by terms such as gender dysphoria, polyamory, body particularity, sociality and sexuality, liturgy, the intermediate state, and something called “adiaphora.” This term is a new one to me. It means indifferent matters, neither moral nor immoral, such as cremation, tattoos, and piercings.

Deeply Theological

I expect nothing less from a professor of theology! At its core, the book is a theology of human embodiment. Human embodiment intersects with other theological themes such as creation, sin, Christology, salvation, and future things (p. 15). Each chapter contains strong biblical and theological foundations. The book continues to go back to Scripture to help us understand the theme of each chapter. Love it.

Immensely Practical

Yes, it’s theological, yet this book also contains abundant applications. It’s not just a heady, theological book. It is quite practical. Each chapter has a section called, “Application.” Here you will find a list of application questions to consider related to the theme of the chapter. These could be discussed by a book club or small group. In the application section, you may find an invitation to map out your unique particularity (p. 70-71) or an exhortation to put together a plan for better body health – such as rest, exercise, nutrition, and sleep (p. 166).

Very Interesting

Another feature that I like about this book is the, “For the Curious” section at the end of each chapter. These sections are filled with very interesting topics. Here is a quick sample list of the topics in these sections of the book and in other places,

• Sex and gender.
• Gender dysphoria.
• The Mike Pence and Billy Graham rule.
• Same-sex attraction and homosexuality.
• The regulative versus the normative principle of corporate worship.
• Liturgy in a worship service.
• Piercings and tattoos.
• Cremation versus the burial of a body.
• The intermediate state and the glorified body.

This is such a wonderful variety of fascinating topics! Needless to say, this book is very relevant for real life as we are all embodied individuals living in a fractured world – seeking to live as whole people who honor God with our bodies.