The Fit Shall Inherit the Earth

What does it mean, as a person of faith, to maintain and even strengthen one's physical body? What does it mean to "glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20) in a time when bodily perfection is popularly defined by advertising firms, while food degradation has led to the worldwide obesity epidemic? This work addresses those questions and many others through theological engagement with fitness and sport, offering a critical examination of the two and their theological intersections. Where is God in sport and fitness? What value might sport and fitness have for the Christian Church? Is there a good to be found?



"How is God at work in the cultural practices of sport and fitness? In answering this question, The Fit Shall Inherit the Earth interlaces historical theology with cultural critique, popular 'theology' with an experiential case study. The result is a theology of physical fitness oriented to creation care and a life of Christian discipleship. Dailey is to be commended for encouraging the church to focus theologically on a largely neglected topic."

--Robert K. Johnston, author of The Christian at Play



"Dr. Erik Dailey's new book, The Fit Shall Inherit the Earth . . . is an exceptional interdisciplinary account of the topic (while solidly rooted in theology) that should be required reading for all students, researchers, practitioners, and clergy who wish to further understand the sport-fitness-health-faith nexus; I unreservedly recommend it."

--Nick Watson, co-author of Sports and Christianity: Practices for the 21st Century



"Erik Dailey's work makes an original contribution to the burgeoning field of the theology of sport. His understanding of embodiment forms a key part of this and allows him to offer a positive theological assessment of the contemporary quest for physical fitness. Everyone interested in our culture's current passion for sports and fitness, and how we engage theologically and missiologically with it, ought to read this book."

--Robert Ellis, Principal, Regent's Park College, Oxford; author of Games People Play







Erik W. Dailey teaches at Azusa Pacific University and Fuller Theological Seminary and pastors a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation in Los Angeles. He is an avid Masters swimmer and competitive triathlete.