Most college students struggle tremendously with their bodies.
Numerous issues related to the body plague higher education. Students struggle with sleep, mental health, eating disorders, sexual identity questions, clothing choices, obesity, and alcohol problems, among other concerns. Too often Christian colleges try to meet these challenges with rules instead of setting forth a vision of what it means to steward the body—a precious gift from God that has been bought with a price by Christ.
Students, faculty, and staff at faith-based institutions need a theological framework and biblical wisdom by which they can better understand, nurture, and celebrate life in all its fullness. Stewarding Our Bodies draws from the expertise and experiences
of researchers and practitioners both within and outside higher education to provide relevant insights and suggestions for those who desire to help students better bear God’s image. Most important of all, it sets forth a positive vision by which to understand the precious gift God has entrusted to us—our bodies.
Perry L. Glanzer is a Professor of Educational Foundations at Baylor University, a Resident Scholar with Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, and Editor-in-Chief of Christian Scholar’s Review. He is the coauthor, author, or editor of over a dozen books, including Identity in Action, Christ Enlivened Student Affairs, The Dismantling of Moral Education, and Identity Excellence.
Austin T. Smith is a doctoral candidate in the higher education studies and leadership program at Baylor University and previously served as a resident director at Pepperdine University. In addition to his current work, Austin has served as the Associate Editor in Chief of Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development
Stephen T. Beers is the vice president for student development at John Brown University. He has served as the president of the Association for Christians in Student Development and is serving as a senior fellow of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. His publications include The Soul of the Christian University, Funding the Future, and Making a Difference.
Andrew Borror is a PhD candidate in theological ethics at the University of Aberdeen and the Theology, Medicine, and Culture research fellow at Duke Divinity School. He works at the North Carolina Study Center, teaching Scripture, theology, and Christian ethics to undergraduates at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Steve Conn is the dean of students at Letourneau University, where he is blessed to work with amazing students and colleagues. He lives in Hallsville, Texas, with Cortney, his wife of twelve years, as well as his children Carson, Mckenzie, and Parker.
Robert Covolo is a cultural theologian residing in Los Angeles. He serves as a professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, as a pastor at Christ Church Sierra Madre, and as the director of vocational discipleship at the Center for Faith & Work Los Angeles (CFWLA). His book Fashion Theology (Baylor University Press, 2020) pioneers the relationship between Christian theology and fashion studies.
Janet B. Dean is a professor of pastoral counseling education at Asbury Theological Seminary, an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, and a licensed psychologist in Kentucky. She has coauthored several research articles on faith and sexual/gender identity and the book Listening to Sexual Minorities: A Study of Faith and Sexual Identity on Christian College Campuses.
Justin Whitmel Earley is a lawyer, author, and speaker based out of Richmond, Virginia. He is the author of The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction (InterVarsity Press, 2019) and Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms (Zondervan, 2021).
John D. Foubert serves as dean and professor in the College of Education at Union University. His major research areas include sexual assault prevention and the harms of pornography. His most recent book is Protecting Your Children from Internet Pornography: Understanding the Science, Risks, and Ways to Protect Your Kids (Northfield, 2022).
Perry L. Glanzer is a professor of educational foundations at Baylor University and a resident scholar with the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion. He has authored and edited numerous books, with the most recent being Identity Excellence: A Theory of Moral Expertise for Higher Education (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022) and The Dismantling of Moral Education: How Higher Education Reduced the Human Identity (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022).
Jonathan Grant is the vicar of St. Paul’s Symonds Street in Auckland, New Zealand—one of the largest Anglican congregations in the Australasian region. He holds a ThM from Regent College, Vancouver, and is the author of Divine Sex: A Compelling Vision for Christian Relationships in a Hypersexualized Age (Brazos Press, 2015).
Lea D. Hart is a PsyD student at George Fox University and holds an MA in clinical psychology from George Fox University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from John Brown University. She also currently serves as a graduate resident director at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon.
Julia D. Hejduk is the Reverend Jacob Beverly Stiteler Professor of Classics and associate dean of the Honors College at Baylor University. She has written numerous articles and books on ancient Latin poetry as well as essays on faith and society for journals such as Public Discourse, Church Life Journal, Christian Scholar’s Review, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review.
Connie Horton serves as the vice president for student affairs at Pepperdine University. Her career in higher education has spanned three decades and included faculty, counseling center director, and administrative roles. Dr. Horton, a licensed psychologist, led the effort to develop RISE, a faith-based resilience-skills development program for students.
Lisa Igram’s twenty years of experience in higher education include a variety of curricular and cocurricular experiences. She serves as dean of student wellness at Biola University, adjuncts for Talbot School of Theology, and is pursuing a PhD in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen, focusing on the value of embodiment for spiritual growth.
Lisa Graham McMinn (PhD sociology) is a spiritual director who taught sociology for twenty years at Wheaton College and George Fox University. She coordinates the spiritual direction care in the PsyD program at George Fox. Her relevant books include The Contented Soul (InterVarsity Press) and To the Table (Brazos Press).
Austin T. Smith is a PhD candidate in higher education studies and leadership at Baylor University. He previously worked as a resident director at Pepperdine University and received his MA in higher education and student development from Taylor University. Additionally, he serves as the associate editor in chief for Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development.
Felicia Wu Song (BA, history, Yale; MA, communication studies, Northwestern; PhD, sociology, University of Virginia) is a professor of sociology at Westmont College. Prior to her most recent book, Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age (2021), her research focused on virtual communities and the evolution of “mommy bloggers.”
Stephen P. Stratton is a professor of counseling and pastoral care at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is a licensed psychologist and counselor educator whose research interests include Christian contemplative practices and the intersection of faith and sexuality, particularly during the college years.
Mark A. Yarhouse is the Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, where he also directs the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and the author or coauthor of several books, including Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture.
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Stewardship of the Body and the Christian University: The State of Situation | Perry L. Glanzer and Austin T. Smith
Part One: Foundational Christian Vision
1 | The Body in the Biblical Narrative: Foundations | Pery L. Glanzer and Julia D. Hejuk
2 | Savoring and Stewarding Food | Lisa Graham McMinn
3 | Stewarding Our Limitations: Receiving God's Gift of Sleep | Lisa Igram
4 | Sabbath Taking | Justin Whitmel Earley
5 | Attuning and Attending: Exercise and the Body | Andrew Borror
6 | Sex: A Positive Christian Vision | Jonathan Grant
Part Two: From Fall to Redemption
7 | Fashion: Clothing Collegians in Christ | Robert Covolo
8 | Your Body and Your Mind: Social Media | Felicia Wu Song
9 | Beyond Anxiousness | Stephen T. Beers and Lea D. Hart
10 | Depression: The Role of Student Affairs Leaders in Supporting Struggling Students and Helping Them Build Resilience | Connie Horton
11 | Mental Health and Spiritual Disciplines | Steve Conn
12 | Sex with a Person's Medicated Body: Pornography | John D. Foubert
13 | Stewarding Diverse Sexual and Gender Identities | Mark A. Yarhouse, Stephen P. Stratton, and Janet B. Dean
Conclusion: Charting a Course Forward | Perry L. Glanzer and Austin T. Smith
Discussion Guide
Contributors
“By rightly situating perspectives about stewarding the body in biblical theology, the authors set our thinking and our practice on solid ground. Each chapter contains well-researched insights and thoughtfully developed recommendations. In a time when moral development and spiritual formation of our students is so critical, this resource will inform my direct work with students and the leadership of my student life team.”
—Edee Schulze, Vice President for Student Life, Westmont College
“Perry Glanzer and Austin Smith have put together an invaluable resource for those working with college students. This volume is very thorough and provides great insights into some of the more difficult issues college students are facing. It provides a biblical framework, a thoughtful understanding, and practical approaches to help engage students in these important topics. The authors included represent a great mix of scholars and practitioners. This book will quickly become a must for anyone working in Christian Higher Education. Thanks for a job well done.“
—Skip Trudeau, Vice President for Student Development and Intercollegiate Athletics, Taylor University
“In the current raft of research books for Student Affairs professionals, stewardship of the body as God’s temple seems dimly distant in the shadows. Glanzer and Smith pull together a collection of lively and accessible essays that brightly turn the lights on to a theologically grounded and comprehensive understanding and practice of stewarding the body. This book is a ‘must read’ for Christian higher education scholars, student affairs professionals, administrative leaders, and their students!”
—Steve Ivester, Dean for Student Engagement, Wheaton College
ISBN 9781684263424
Pages 240
Dimensions (inches) 6 x 9
Weight (pounds) .5
