Born Again Bodies: Flesh and Spirit in American Christianity

Born Again Bodies examines the intersection of Christianity, body image, and health culture in America from the colonial era through the present day. The book traces how Protestant ideals shaped attitudes about weight, diet, exercise and physical appearance among American Christians. Through historical analysis and case studies, Griffith documents religious movements focused on bodily discipline and physical transformation. She examines Protestant diet manuals, Christian weight loss programs, and faith-based fitness initiatives that linked spiritual salvation with corporeal control. The text explores how gender factored into Christian body ideologies, particularly focusing on women's experiences with religious weight loss culture. Griffith draws on primary sources including sermons, testimonials, and devotional literature to reconstruct these historical attitudes and practices. This scholarly work reveals deep connections between Protestant theology and modern American fitness culture, suggesting that religious ideas about the body continue to influence secular health and beauty standards. The analysis raises questions about how faith shapes cultural attitudes toward the physical form.

Readers note this academic work examines connections between American Christianity and body/diet culture through historical analysis. Positive feedback focuses on: - Detailed research and extensive citations - Fresh perspective on religious influences on body image - Clear writing style despite complex subject matter - Strong analysis of Protestant influences on diet culture Common criticisms include: - Dense academic language that can be difficult to follow - Narrow focus on Protestant/evangelical movements - Limited discussion of contemporary movements - Some repetitive sections One reader called it "enlightening but exhausting," while another praised its "thorough examination of a rarely discussed intersection of faith and physiology." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) Google Books: 4/5 (6 ratings) Most academic reviewers recommend it for scholars studying religion, gender studies, or American cultural history rather than general readers.

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🔹 The author, R. Marie Griffith, is a distinguished professor at Washington University in St. Louis and directs the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics. 🔹 The book traces the relationship between American Christianity and body image back to the 19th century, revealing how Protestant ideals influenced modern diet culture and fitness obsessions. 🔹 Early Christian diet reformers, like Sylvester Graham (inventor of the Graham cracker), believed that physical health was directly connected to spiritual purity and moral character. 🔹 The book examines how certain Christian weight loss programs, such as "Pray Your Weight Away" from the 1950s, merged religious devotion with body transformation goals. 🔹 Born Again Bodies won the 2005 Thomas J. Wilson Prize from Harvard University Press, awarded to outstanding first-time authors.