“Carnal Knowledge of God: Embodied Love and the Movement for Justice”
by Rebecca M. M. Voelkel
Fortress Press, 2017, 178 Pages

At A Glance: “Carnal Knowledge of God” explores a theology of embodied love and justice, emphasizing pathways for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and empowerment through spiritual and social transformation.

Overview: In “Carnal Knowledge of God: Embodied Love and the Movement for Justice,” theologian and activist Rebecca M. M. Voelkel presents a theology of embodied love that draws from her experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ people, particularly focusing on the intersection of faith and justice.

Voelkel explores a transformative theological path, identifying four key ways to understand this journey: the Via Positiva, which emphasizes bodily integrity and empowerment; the Via Negativa, acknowledging how vulnerable bodies are exploited and oppressed; the Via Creativa, highlighting the creative expressions of resistance; and the Via Transformativa, advocating for active participation in social change through what she calls “inaugural eschatology.”

This theological approach is interwoven with lessons from social movement building, offering strategies for allies and activists to effectively work toward a just and inclusive future.

Thoughts from Readers: