Breaking free from an eating disorder is difficult and complex. Those who are suffering often feel misunderstood. They struggle with feeling alone and afraid, ashamed to tell those closest to them. Their loved ones also feel helpless and ill-equipped to care for them. Within this dynamic, hurt, disappointment, and neglect often thrive. From the unique perspective of a husband and wife team, Table for Two shares Krista Dunham’s journey to freedom from her eating disorder while David shares insights as the loved one coming beside her.
Krista suffered from an eating disorder for over ten years and, by God’s grace and through biblical counseling, overcame it. She openly and honestly shares her experience, describing what she did, what she needed, and what proved helpful in the process of change. In conjunction with her insights, David shares what he did, how he failed, and what he learned along the way as a biblical counselor that was helpful to Krista.
Without minimizing complicated issues, the Dunhams provide practical, gospel hope and biblical encouragement to those suffering and help for loved ones walking with them. They share personal narratives, interactive exercises, and biblical direction for those navigating recovery. Individuals suffering from an eating disorder—and loved ones—will find practical help, hope, and encouragement in this couple’s story. Applying the truth of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, they know two are better than one and understand the need to connect and jointly navigate the process together.
This powerful, redemptive book reveals an intimacy beyond personal stories of struggle told through a biblical counseling lens; it highlights the close-knit relationship of husband and wife and a home life where one person struggles with an eating disorder.
AUTHOR
David Dunham, MDiv (The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), is a pastor and biblical counselor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Roseville, MI. He is the coauthor of Table for Two: Biblical Counsel for Eating Disorders.
Krista Dunham has served as a women’s mentor, biblical counselor, and curriculum developer for various women’s and children’s ministries. She has a degree in early childhood education from Ohio University. She is the coauthor of Table for Two: Biblical Counsel for Eating Disorders.
"As biblical counseling further develops from a movement to a discipline, it needs more issue-specific books providing a biblical framework to address specific troubles in human experience. David and Krista have provided such a book, helping us further stretch toward competency on the vital issue of eating disorders."
Jeremy Pierre, Author of The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life; Lawrence & Charlotte Hoover Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling; chair, Department of Biblical Counseling & Family Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“When I go looking for help and direction in dealing with truly difficult problems, I’m always interested in those who have been there and found the way out. In the arena of eating disorders, Tablefor Two is compelling testimony of a couple who did just that. This book is full of help for the struggler and those who love them. The authors point the reader to the wealth of wisdom to be found when counseling from the Scriptures and the importance of good medical care in the process. Even the title is helpful, as it points the reader to the truth that eating disorders are rarely conquered alone. Table forTwo will be an encouragement to many and a good resource in counseling.”
Charles D Hodges, Jr. MD, Family Physician, Indianapolis, IN; executive director, Vision of Hope, Residential Treatment Facility for Women, Lafayette, IN
“In Table for Two, David and Krista Dunham offer readers the healing balm of the gospel, applying it to the struggle of disordered eating. Compassionate, practical, and wise, the Dunhams' words are underscored by their own testimonies as they live in the hope they now extend—both to those who suffer and to those who help.”
Hannah Anderson, Author of Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul
"I appreciate David and Krista's patient, supportive approach. You can tell he is as content to be a patient shepherd on a hard journey as he is excited about the destination—overcoming an eating disorder with biblical guidance. When you're stuck in a life-dominating pattern, this demeanor is important. If you're stuck, you can trust David and Krista's book to provide patient guidance. If you're walking alongside someone who is stuck, you can trust Table for Two to help you pace your care and model the tone of the Good Shepherd. I have come to trust not only the content of David and Krista's counsel, but also the tenderness with which they do counseling. I think you will too."
Brad Hambrick, Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church; assistant professor of Biblical Counseling, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; general editor for Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused
“Some authors do a great job connecting with us by being raw and real but they leave us without any hope or solutions to the problem. The Dunhams’ book is an honest and personal account of their own struggle while also offering practical and biblical ways of reframing the struggle with insights and hope that were forged in the trenches of failure and longing for real change. Those who have tried and failed before won’t be crushed by the gentle, humble, and gracious tone that characterizes the hearts of David and Krista. I expect this book will be a beacon of hope in the dark struggle of eating disorders.”
Brad Bigney, Pastor of Grace Fellowship, Florence, KY; certified ACBC counselor; conference speaker; author of Gospel Treason
“Table for Two by David and Krista Dunham is a refreshingly honest book with a refreshingly unique perspective. David and Krista coauthor as a couple who have walked through an eating disorder—one as a person reaching out for help, the other as a helper-in-training. As they invite you into their journey, you’ll learn from a biblical perspective the underlying issues related to eating disorders and you’ll learn how to compassionately and competently help those working through this issue.”
Bob Kellemen, Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Counseling at Faith Bible Seminary; author of Gospel-Centered Marriage Counseling and Gospel-Centered Family Counseling
“As biblical counseling continues to grow and mature, it has needed to address issues such as eating disorders with a level of competence and care that befits the complexity of the problem it represents. David and Krista Dunham have skillfully and compassionately done exactly that. If you are looking for a resource which addresses eating disorders with humility, compassion, and grace, look no further than this book!”
Jonathan D. Holmes, Pastor of Counseling, Parkside Church; executive director, Fieldstone Counseling
“David and Krista Dunham have written a much-needed resource for those counseling or those struggling with disordered eating. It is a story of how a couple struggles with this complex issue, how they fail and then find help and hope through a biblical approach and process of healing. They illustrate the common path of shame, isolation, secrecy, and control that often accompanies eating disorders. What’s unique to this book is how they navigated this as a couple and how Krista finally got to the heart of the issue through biblical counsel. I highly recommend this book for those struggling with eating issues and those who love and counsel them.”
Garrett Higbee, Pastor of Biblical Soul Care, Harvest Church North Indianapolis; president, Soul Care Consulting
“What an excellent contribution to the literature on eating disorders! Many silently fight this battle alone and unknown, adding shame and despair to their struggles. And many more friends, family, and helpers feel desperately incapable to help, not even knowing where to start. David and Krista apply their personal experiences to wisely exhort, educate, and encourage both the person struggling with an eating disorder as well as the one committed to help. I’ve already recommended this book to clients.”
Greg Wilson, LPC Supervisor, Lead Counselor at Soul Care Associates
"I've battled against disordered eating in the past, so I know that change is no simplistic equation. Yet Table forTwo reminds me that no matter how perplexing our problems are, God’s Word is sufficient to comfort, counsel, and persevere us through them. If you’re looking to navigate the many complexities of disordered eating from a holistic, biblical perspective, I commend David and Krista as trustworthy guides."
Christine Chappell, Author of Help! I've Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder, Help! My Teen is Depressed, Clean Home, Messy Heart, and Change for Overwhelmed Moms; outreach director and podcast host, Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship (IBCD)
“Table for Two gives voice to the agonizing experience of living with an eating disorder. With honest transparency and a hope-filled understanding of the path forward, this book provides biblical avenues for helpful conversations and practical direction toward lasting recovery. As a biblical and clinical counselor, I am relieved to know a resource like this finally exists! Their story delivers biblical direction that steers clear of quick-fix answers or simplistic advice and instead offers hope to both the suffer and the helper.”
Eliza Huie, LCPC; author of Raising Kids in a Screen-Saturated World, Raising Teens in a Hyper-Sexualized World, and The Whole Life: 52 Weeks of Biblical Self-Care
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David Dunham and Krista Dunham
T. Dale Johnson Jr.
Edward T. Welch
Michael R. Emlet
Edward T. Welch
Ever since I was 13, I was horrified by my body. At 20 - i discovered I could seemingly have "the best of both" by bouncing back and forth between binging and purging. By 30, I was being hospitalized. Only in the past 10 years have I learned the truth. That God can fill every space of my heart and offer the rest I've spent years yearning for. I wish I could give this book to my 13 year old self.
As someone who long struggled with a number of a bathroom scale determining if I was happy or sad, fat or thin, okay or not ok- this book offers real biblical relief from an extremely vicious horrific cycle. I will most definitely suggest it to the women I mentor who have similar struggles to my own.
I am impressed with the information in this book. Krista shares her insights from her experience of an eating disorder. She writes about her motives, her drive for perfection, control, and her self-medicating. How she felt about her body defined her worth. There was the isolation from others. And then she faced the hardest thing – telling someone else about her condition. Krista takes us through the hard decisions and the internal and spiritual work that followed. David, Krista's husband, shares insights about helping those with eating disorders. He writes about knowing the difference between forcing change and encouraging it. He admits there is no silver bullet. He gives great insight into building trust and loving well. The authors remind us that the decision to change must come from the person with the disorder. It is so important others provide support in that process. Eating disorders thrive in isolation so the involvement of community is very important. This is a great book for those who have an eating disorder and those who desire to support them. There are thoughtful exercises for the sufferer and the helper. Krista and David share their good decisions and their mistakes so we get a idea of the bumpy road the path to recovery might be. Krista had a team of specialists help her. This book will not provide that level of help but it will get you in the right direction for your journey with valuable insights and practical suggestions. I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
