As one explores a biblical theology of the body, she will discover the significance of our physical existence, how sin has affected it, and the enduring hope God offers. Timothy Tennent’s insights in For the Body examines how sin has impacted our bodies and all creation. Yet, even in brokenness, the body remains essential to Christian discipleship, worship, and hope.
One aspect of our physicality is the paradox of resilience and fragility. Our bodies are wonderfully made, often able to endure illnesses, recover from injury, and adapt to physical challenges. Yet, we also know the limits of this resilience. Our bodies are vulnerable to pain, sickness, and eventual death, which are daily reminders of human frailty. Though we were created with dignity and purpose, the effects of sin mar our physical existence, introducing suffering and decay that were never part of God’s original design.
This brokenness began with The Fall, as described in Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the forbidden tree, sin entered the world, severing their perfect relationship with God and tainting all creation. Genesis 3:17-19 captures the consequences of their rebellion: God tells Adam, “Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it… till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This curse reminds us that sin didn’t just affect humanity but brought suffering into every aspect of life. What was once joyful became difficult. Our bodies, once untouched by pain, are now vulnerable to sickness, toil, and death.
The impact of sin on creation extends beyond our personal suffering. Nature itself is disrupted by humanity’s fall. Thorns and thistles, natural disasters, and the daily “groaning” of creation all echo the effects of sin. Paul captures this powerfully in Romans 8:18-23, where he writes, “The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” All creation waits for redemption, longing for the day Christ will bring restoration.
Yet, amid this brokenness, God’s promise offers us hope. Through Jesus, God has begun redeeming creation, including our bodies. While we await the full realization of this redemption, we live in the “already but not yet” of God’s kingdom, where we are redeemed in spirit yet still in bodies that experience decay. We are called to steward our bodies as best we can, honoring God in our physical lives, even as we wait for the promised “redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).
Tennent points out that the limitations we face in our bodies remind us of our dependency on God and the ultimate renewal we await. This hope doesn’t ignore our suffering; it offers us strength as we endure, knowing that our brokenness is not the end. We live with a posture of hope, assured that one day, our bodies and all creation will be freed from sin’s effects.
In this journey of faithful stewardship, we find encouragement from those who have modeled resilience amid suffering. For instance, Joni Eareckson Tada, who became paralyzed in a diving accident, demonstrates worship through her broken body. Creating art by holding a paintbrush in her mouth, she reminds us that worship transcends physical limitations and is a heartfelt response to God. Her life testifies that God’s strength is perfected in weakness.
Let’s anchor our hope in the promise that Christ’s resurrection foreshadows our own. Though our bodies experience decay, we await the day when all things are made new. In the hands of God, even our brokenness has value. The prophet Isaiah says God gives “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3), showing He can bring beauty out of what seems beyond repair. As we live in hope, we surrender our brokenness to God, finding strength in His promise of salvation today in Christ and the full redemption of our bodies in the future. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!