You may have seen the front page story about religion and obesity in this morning’s Beaver County Times. (read all about it) The Chicago Tribune reported the story last week with more emphasis on the original research. (read all about it)

In the meantime, last week’s Time Magazine published a fascinating article on the resurgence of the “health and wealth,” “name it, claim it” prosperity gospel that is being preached in many mega churches and in other corners of American Protestantism. (read all about it)

So what are we to make of all this? What do Christians and what does the church have to say to consumerist and materialist culture if we are as obsessed by food and money as that culture is (and maybe more so)?

We can and should be concerned about the spread of the prosperity gospel and the spread of the American waistline. But what about us? What about me? How does the life of discipleship (and discipline) go with us? Does my giving (of money and more) to others and my willingness to deny material gratification (which sometimes includes food) for the sake of spiritual gain truly reflect the lordship of Jesus in my life? And who holds me accountable for how I live?

What do you think? (In order to comment, you must register, but that’s easy. Just click on “Register” at the top of the right side menu panel.)