Podcast Summary

The Deep Dish: "Becoming Good Stewards of Our Bodies"

Host: Melissa Kruger & Courtney Docter
Guest: Lisa Whittle
Date: September 18, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives deep into the concept of "whole body theology"—exploring what it means to be good stewards of our physical bodies from a biblical perspective. The hosts and their guest, Lisa Whittle, discuss how Christian women can move beyond cultural obsessions with form and function, and instead ground their understanding of their bodies in Scripture, aiming to glorify God through their physical selves. The conversation addresses shame, aging, women's unique body journeys, and how biblical discipleship speaks into every stage and struggle.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Whole Body Theology?

• Lisa’s Background & Motivation:
  Lisa shares her lifelong struggle with body image, “I missed this understanding. I went immediately to how many calories do I need to take in? How much weight do I need to lose? What size should I be in Body Topics? But I didn't have a foundation. I didn't have a biblical foundation.” (01:32, 09:32)
• A biblical foundation—rather than cultural mantras or health hacks—is essential to shape a healthy, God-glorifying relationship with our bodies.

2. Scriptural Foundations for Understanding Our Bodies

• Comprehensive Approach:
  Instead of cherry-picking verses, Lisa describes examining Scripture from Genesis to Revelation to develop a holistic view. Key passages:
  • Genesis 1:27-31: Creation in God's image (imago Dei)
  • John 1:14: The significance of Christ embodying human flesh
  • Romans 6: No longer slaves to sin in our bodies
  • Ephesians 4: Putting off the old self, putting on the new
  • 1 Corinthians 12, 15: The body of Christ; the resurrection body
  • Revelation 21: God making all things new

  “The whole Bible, I mean, that sounds crazy, but it's really, really true… This was the first time in my life that I dug into the Scripture in a really comprehensive way.” (03:32)

3. The Uniqueness of the Incarnation

• Jesus’ embodiment affirms the goodness of our own bodies.

  “It's not a mistake that he's coming and taking on flesh. There's such importance in that that we bypass.” (06:57)

• Our value is tied to being image-bearers and to Christ’s embodiment and sacrifice, giving meaning to both daily life and eternal destiny.

4. What is a Healthy Relationship with Our Body?

• Freedom from self-loathing, obsession, or neglect comes from adopting a "glory mentality," living out 1 Cor 10:31: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
• Lisa testifies to her transformation:

  “No more self-loathing in my body, no more consuming body thoughts or living in extremes… When you're in line with that [glory mentality], it changes the way you now relate to your body.” (11:17)

• Cultural and familial influences, trauma, and information overload all contribute to disordered body image—but a biblical foundation can free us.

5. Questioning Common Motives

• Focusing solely on health or strength is not a biblical motive, though these may result from right living.

  “The motive to be healthy or strong is still not the ultimate motive. It is whatever you eat, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do is to bring glory to God.” (16:20)

• Whole body theology is inclusive—for the aging, chronically ill, or disabled: all can glorify God.

6. The Pitfalls of Form & Function

• Many women spend decades pursuing either bodily form (appearance) or function (capability), both of which ultimately fade.
• The underlying value persists:

  “If God gives us long enough years, we will no longer be strong and healthy. So does the value of our body change? …No, that it's actually our worth. Our value is not tied to the form or function of our body, but it's tied to the fact that God himself created our bodies…” (23:52)

7. Uniquely Christian Perspectives

• All humans are made in the image of God, but believers are uniquely empowered to image God because the Holy Spirit indwells us.

  “A glove is made in the image of a hand, but the way that the glove has the best function is when a hand goes in it.” (28:54)

• As Christians, understanding embodiment, the resurrection, and being part of Christ's body distinguishes us from cultural narratives.

8. Daily & Future Glory

• There’s meaning in both the daily experience of our bodies and the future hope of bodily resurrection.

  “There's two parts at play here. It's the daily glory and the future glory that we are living.” (33:28)

• Embracing both helps avoid unhealthy preoccupation with either obsessing or neglecting the physical self.

9. Discipleship & Community

• Understanding whole body theology impacts not just individual well-being, but also unity, respect, and healing within the body of Christ.

  “This is a huge discipleship issue… It has far bigger ramifications for even the unity in the body of Christ… we don't even know how to relate… as brothers and sisters in Christ…” (40:56)

• Cultural discipleship often steers us wrong; the church needs to ground body-talk in Scripture, modeling and teaching healthier ways.

10. Responsibility of Older Women

• Older Christian women bear a responsibility to model and speak truth to younger generations about body image, aging, and stewardship—resisting self-deprecation while maintaining honesty and humor about changes and challenges.

  “I do feel the responsibility in being a woman that ages gracefully… not complaining constantly…” (46:00)

11. Memorable & Personal Stories

• Each host and guest shares defining moments in their body image journeys—critical comments in childhood, familial experiences, and the shared struggles of all women with aging and changing bodies.
• A particularly notable quote comes from Joni Eareckson Tada (relayed by Courtney):

  “She’s going to hand him her wheelchair and say, thanks, I needed that.” (36:38)

• The perspective shift: Accepting even suffering or weakness as a tool for sanctification and eternal hope.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Lisa Whittle on transformation:
  “I do not have [consuming body thoughts] anymore. I really don't. And I feel free from that.” (11:17)

• On the proper motive:
  “I'm pushing back a little bit because what about just bringing glory to God? …The beauty of whole body theology is it leaves no body out.” (16:20)

• Courtney Docter on the resurrection body:
  “The body that went into the tomb is the body that came out of the tomb and is the body that [Jesus] is currently living in.” (32:49)

• Lisa Whittle on the daily & future glory:
  “It's the daily glory and the future glory… why the obsessing and the neglecting, neither one works.” (33:28)

• Humor on aging (Lisa):
  “Can you believe how many skin tags I actually have at this juncture in my life? … I'm plucking hairs off my face as we speak.” (46:00)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [03:32] Lisa describes her journey through Scripture for "whole body theology"
• [06:57] The significance of Jesus’ embodied life and what that means for us
• [10:01] Melissa asks about the real struggle of loving our bodies; Lisa discusses freedom and what a healthy relationship looks like
• [16:20] Challenging “health/strength” as ultimate goals; inclusivity of whole body theology
• [23:52] Valuing bodies beyond form or function—what remains as we age
• [28:54] The “glove” illustration: how Christians uniquely image God
• [33:28] Daily versus future glory and hope for resurrection bodies
• [40:56] Whole body theology as a discipleship issue in the church and impact on community
• [46:00] Aging and mentoring: the responsibility and opportunity of older women

Tone & Language

The discussion is warm, authentic, often vulnerable—marked by personal stories, gentle humor, and a focus on grace. The hosts and guest speak candidly about their own struggles and growth, with a pastoral and practical heart for their listeners.

Memorable Final Moments

• Lightheartedly, the hosts and Lisa imagine what their resurrected bodies might do—hip-hop dance (Lisa), ride a giraffe (Courtney), or finally read in uninterrupted peace (Melissa). (51:14-52:10)
• The show ends with encouragement: “It is possible, with the Lord,” to find freedom and joy, even in our imperfect, aging bodies. (36:38, 48:31)

Summary

This episode equips listeners with a biblically rich, pastorally sensitive vision for whole body stewardship. It re-centers the conversation from cultural obsessions to Christ-centered hope, offering practical wisdom, honest testimony, and encouragement for every woman to pursue God’s glory in and through her body—whatever its age, ability, or appearance.

For further reading:
Lisa Whittle’s new book on whole body theology—see show notes for resources.
The Deep Dish returns at the TGC Women’s Conference, June 2026.