Around these parts, sometimes we have to go looking for law/gospel illustrations in the nooks and crannies of the popular world. Sometimes, though, they come and browbeat us. Such is the case with the annual ESPN “Body” issue, on newsstands now. A “celebration of the athletic form,” the Body Issue is supposed to be, I think, an equal-opportunity (and more obviously sports-oriented) answer to the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Oh, and there aren’t any swimsuits. Birthday suits only, in this one.
Interestingly (perhaps) is the fact that it’s not really the athletes bodies themselves that are the law to me. I hope that our female readers are as able to dismiss Kate Upton’s proportions as I am to dismiss Rob Gronkowski’s. The Body Issue, though, is even a level more nefarious than the Swimsuit Edition, in my opinion. In its desire to do more than simply objectify its models, the issue focuses on what it takes to “create and maintain” those bodies. At first blush, this is a nice touch, clarifying the fact that while God’s gift certainly contributes to a glorious physique, it takes a lot of work to maintain the gift. But then, as you digest the articles surrounding the photos, a new law (ht Derek Webb) emerges.
While I don’t beat myself up (too much) about not having the body of Gronkowski or Jose Bautista, I feel really badly about not even having the remotest desire to work as hard as they do…or at all. Indeed, if my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (and again, I’m content for my temple to be St. Olaf the Slightly Bloated rather than St. Adonis the Sculpted), then my temple has cobwebs in the corners, a crumbling foundation, and Brazil-style trash blowing around it. It is, you might say, um…neglected.
Physical attractiveness is one of the most universally-felt laws in the world. We all too often feel inferior (and therefore judged) for our looks. ESPN has taken it one step further and made us feel judged for our efforts, too. The Good News is that we are as justified in the face of our failure of effort as we are for the insufficiency of the end result.
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3 responses to “The Low-Hanging Fruit of the ESPN “Body” Issue”
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And an important point of note…These athletes bodies are necessities for these athletes jobs. This is what allows them to perform at peak levels–and even to keep their jobs. Strangely, it’s the same thing with models as well…Their job is to make their body maintain a good look (models) and/or maintain peak shape/conditioning (athletes). We tend to forget the reality of that fact…So while I work out consistently and my body is one that would generally be considered in good shape, it’s not even close to these folks, nor ever will be…which is often demoralizing, to say the least. And in a culture that keeps pushing look and image as the primary place for us all to focus on–see our deep desires/idolatries–this is inevitable. And where does it lead? Either obssessive “law keeping” to impress/prove to others and self OR giving up…This, of course is always the two paths the law leads us down when it is our central mediator in how to live life.
Good article but the reality is tha most of these pics are airbrushed and are not even their real proportions. Once the body is end and not the means to which we use it and maintain it to the glory of God, you will be enslaved to be or not be.