My guest for The Happy Hour # 299 is Lore Ferguson Wilbert. Lore is a writer on spiritual formation, faith, culture, and theology in life and recently released a book titled, Handle with Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry.

Friends, my conversation with Lore today is so rich. She speaks beautifully and honestly about the redemption and attention that Jesus brings to the theology of touch and how that influenced her exploration into this topic and subsequently her book, Handle with Care. We also dive into her fundamentalist upbringing, how that shaped her doubts as a 20-something, and her experience with the gospel. There are so many things that have stuck with me about our conversation, but I especially love when Lore references Aimee Byrd and says that “avoidance is not purity.” The topic of physical touch is so important, especially for those in the church, and I hope you are encouraged by Lore’s words today.

Be sure you check out Lore’s new book, Handle with Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry. Handle with Care is the book you need to dive into the theology of touch and know that “somewhere in the mess of our assumptions and fears about touch, there is something beautiful and good and God-given.”

{You can listen to the show HERE, and make sure you never miss a Happy Hour by subscribing through your favorite podcast app (ie. iTunes, Stitcher).  And of course, I would love if you would share with your friends!}​