Christian Paths to Health and Wellness

God created people to be well in body, mind, and spirit—a unified and healthy whole. Christian Paths to Health and Wellness, Third Edition, helps undergraduate students explore key topics that affect their health and well-being and apply what they learn to their daily lives.

This updated text examines wellness from a holistic perspective, delving into how students can thrive in body, mind, and spirit. Students will learn how to

• more fully understand God, themselves, and their purpose in life;
• have strong and healthy relationships with others;
• develop cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and flexibility and mobility;
• have a healthy attitude toward their bodies, eat well, and manage weight properly;
• understand and apply good sleep hygiene to maximize alertness; and
• adopt emotionally healthy habits and deal with stress in a constructive way.

All of this material is based on current research and is delivered through a faith-based perspective that will help students apply aspects of behavior modification as they learn how to take charge of the health of their bodies, minds, and spirits.

Written by highly respected Christian academics, the text includes chapter objectives, a glossary that defines key terms from each chapter, and easy-to-read charts that highlight specific information. This latest edition also features a new web study guide that makes Christian Paths to Health and Wellness a particularly valuable and unique resource. For each chapter in the text, the web study guide supplies readers with

• an introductory self-assessment activity on the chapter’s topic;
• application and learning activities;
• self-reflection writing prompts to help students process the chapter’s content;
• suggested websites and readings for further exploration of the topic; and
• an interactive key terms quiz.

(The web study guide is included with all new print books and some ebooks. For ebook formats that don’t provide access, the web study guide is available separately.)

Christian Paths to Health and Wellness offers instructors free access to online ancillaries, including an instructor guide, a presentation package, and a test package.

“This text,” says coauthor Peter Walters, “is a book about accepting our God-given roles and capacities. Then empowered by the Spirit of God, we can make healthy choices regarding our mind, body, and soul. The end result is what ancients called ‘the good life,’ current academics call ‘human flourishing,’ and what scriptures call ‘shalom’.”

“Personal wellness is often achieved through mental and physical discipline,” adds coauthor John Byl. “However, it is also important to open yourself to the power of God through the Holy Spirit. It is written in Bible that ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22–23). Ideas related to the fruit of the Spirit have been woven through the text, and a couple of chapters offer brief vignettes on a particular fruit of the Spirit, which demonstrates how the Spirit heals and makes one well.”

Christian Paths to Health and Wellness, Third Edition, will equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to adopt healthy lifestyles in all aspects of their lives. And that lifestyle will be pleasing to God and help them live out their purpose.

Peter Walters, PhD, holds a doctorate in kinesiology and a master of science degree in physical education from Texas A&M University. He is a professor in the department of applied health science at Wheaton College, an interdenominational Christian college in Illinois. Since 1996, when he became director of the wellness program at the university level, he has evaluated the health and wellness behavior of more than 7,500 college students. He has taught health and wellness courses for more than two decades.

Before his career in academics, Walters was actively involved in several parachurch organizations, including Campus Crusade for Christ, the Navigators, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In addition to these ministry opportunities, he served as director of student ministries in three churches.

Walters’ current and past certifications are from the American Council on Exercise, National Strength and Conditioning Association, USA Olympic Weightlifting, and CrossFit. He has used his expertise to win significant national and international competitions for powerlifters, bodybuilders, and triathletes.

Dr. Walters presented and published his wellness research at several national conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. In 2009, he received the Literary Award from the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure, and Sport Studies (CSKLS) and subsequently served as president of that national organization.

In his spare time, Walters enjoys adventure trips, which have brought him to the summits of Mount Rainier and Mount Kilimanjaro. He resides in Wheaton, Illinois.

John Byl, PhD, is a professor emeritus of physical education at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, where he taught wellness courses. Byl is currently the Canadian educational consultant for Gopher Sport.
Byl has been a professor since 1986 and has edited, authored, or coauthored 20 books, including Physical Education, Sports, and Wellness: Looking to God as We Look at Ourselves. He is a recipient of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure, and Sport Studies (CSKLS) Presidential Award, which recognizes those who have displayed actions compatible with the mission of the CSKLS. In 2013, Byl was awarded Canada’s Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his significant contribution to making physical activity a priority within his community and within the country.