BEN WITHERINGTON - WE NEED TO REPENT OF GLUTTONY

Ben Witherington posts some thoughts and admonitions:

It’s Lent and time to think about the things we should be repenting of. . .  One of the most depressing things I have done in recent years is attend the Southern Baptist Convention in Greensboro N.C. It was not depressing because it was the Southern Baptist Convention as those folks were gracious enough hosts and good Christian people. No, it was depressing because I got to see up close and personal the devastation of what obesity has done to southern ministers, their spouses and also leading southern lay persons. Though I certainly did not take a head count or do a scientific survey it was clear from scanning the audience on repeated occasion that at least 70% of the audience was overweight, and at least 50% was considerably overweight, with perhaps 30% of that group being to the point of morbid obesity. It was simply depressing. Very depressing. . .

Obesity is a horrible Christian witness to a culture already known for its conspicuous consumption. . .   It is clear that here in the South we have entirely forgotten that gluttony is a sin, not to mention 

it is a further sin when we throw away enough food every day to feed various whole small countries. . .

The reason I comment on these things is that I hate to see people literally killing themselves, when they are beautiful children of God. And that is precisely what so many of them are doing in their relationship to food.

One pastor commented  after reading Witherington's post:

Ben - I became really convicted by this over the past year.. so much so that in January I stood before my congregation and asked for their forgiveness for being such a horrible model for them. It's so "funny" how we rail on so many sins... but wink at gluttony. For me... food is so often my "god." I run to it for comfort, to celebrate, to ease my worry... it's been like this my entire life.

So as a part of my resolve I have done several things: I have a nutritionist who is teaching me how and what to eat. I log my food (an actual quote from the first time I sent her my food log: "Have you ever heard of fruit?"). I work out regularly. And I have quite the accountability group. 450 people. Each week I have been putting my weight on the screen as I begin my message. I really struggled with this... because I never wanted to "use" my congregation for my purposes.... but the witness has been powerful. Several have started eating better, exercising, my nutritionist is now working with several women struggling with eating disorders (and they are getting counseling as well.)

I will never look like brad pitt. And really, my goal has little to do with weight. But I want to honor God with my body. I want to live my life (and eat my food) in such a way that God could sign His name to my day.

Thanks for going where few people dare tread.