Mark Dever Returns to Pulpit After Health Scare, Preaches on ‘Healthy Patriotism’

I attended a 9Marks weekender last year at CHBC and appreciate Dever's and 9Mark's ministry to pastors and churches. While I was at the event, I did notice Dever's girth. It was very noticeable and concerning. I wanted to say something to him privately about it and encourage my brother, but I figured it would not have been well received. But, someone in his orbit should have been talking to him about it: Jamie or another associate pastor, his elders, or even Leeman.

Given what I saw then, hearing about this health scare related to his heart is sadly not surprising. It is another reminder for me to keep walking and to make healthy choices. I also want people in my orbit to feel freedom to speak to me about issues like this.

I'm glad that Dever is improving and is back in the pulpit.

Regarding his heart health, weight and obesity are factors, but it appears that it's really a lot more complex, involving congenital factors, genetics, diet (saturated fat and cholesterol), weight, blood pressure, smoking, exercise, disease, and a lot more. I'm all in favor of getting churches on board with emphasizing taking care of one's earthly "temple", but as we try, we'd do well to make sure we've got our story straight and in line with what the cardiologists and such will tell us.

Plus, in a world where many are arguing that tallow is health food, we've got an uphill battle in terms of emphasizing science over wishful thinking. (seed oils are problems in the quantities we consume them, yes, but it's saturated fat that the liver makes into LDLs, after all)