“Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality”
Richard Beck
Wipf & Stock, 2011, 212 Pages

At A Glance: “Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality” offers a unique fusion of psychological science and theology to critique the impact of purity psychology on church practices, highlighting its tendency to foster social exclusion and spiritual detachment.

Overview: In “Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality,” Richard Beck explores the complex relationship between purity and holiness in Christian faith, particularly their impact on social inclusion and spiritual practice. Beck reflects on Jesus’ preference for mercy over ritual purity, as seen in the Gospel of Matthew, and examines how the church’s pursuit of holiness often leads to social exclusion and a detachment from worldly concerns. He delves into the psychological aspects of purity, including “The Macbeth Effect,” where ritual cleansing is mistakenly seen as a substitute for moral action.

The book highlights the damaging consequences of using the language of dirt and defilement in church life, including poor self-esteem, stigma, and conflict. Beck’s work uniquely combines psychological insights with theological study, shedding light on the negative effects that purity psychology can have on the church’s mission and community life.

NOTE: While this book is not explicitly on the topic of 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming theology, it has served to address key aspects of exclusion for many queer folk.

Thoughts from Readers: