Touching Our Strength: The Erotic As Power and the Love of God

by Carter Heyward

A leading feminist theologian affirms the sacredness of mutually empowering relationships and sexual pleasure.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Feminism, Sexuality, Queer

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1989

Reviews

[Jendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm all over the place with how to rate this book. It was quite validating to find someone else who envisioned an experience-based, collaborative, and evolving standard for religious authority. Heyward's exploration of mind-body splitting and anti-eroticism in Christianity helped me understand why my faith tradition has been so inconsistent in supporting sexual safety and consent. However, for me the book suffered from some common problems in 2nd Wave 1980s-90s feminism: value-laden male-female binaries, an imbalanced exaltation of "relational" over "individualist" ways of experiencing one's self, and inaccurately universalizing the male-on-female abuse pattern to all abusive relationships (or simply erasing the possibility that women ever abuse their female partners and children).

[Joseph Sverker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Heyward is early to speak about heteronormativity as an oppressive structure. The perhaps greatest benefit for me is Heyward's critique of liberal theology when it attempts to link itself to liberation theology. Secondly, Heyward is clear with how sexism and heterosexuality are linked. Sexism is the structure, while heterosexuality is the power, or violence, that sets the oppression of sexism in place for Heyward. This can of course be discussed, but in contrast to many other thinkers in this tradition Heyward does not set sex against sexuality. To my mind the second part of this book becomes a bit too focused on dealing with Heyward's own experiences.

[Lexi Schnaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book when I was in a very very different place.....I still love me a lesbian episcopal priest though.....Heyward's writing is imaginative and full of care. A lot of her ideas are transferable to secular community building as well as Christian communities. Feeling grateful for this as a resource and that I am no longer trying to fit somewhere that doesn't want me and I don't belong <3

[Olivia Sonell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Christian and non-christian, Women, NBs, & Men, Cis and Trans Folx, Asexual or Sexual Black, White, Red...

This book by Episcopal Priest Carter Heyward is one of the best things I've read regarding mutually beneficial and positive relations. She talks about the erotic being the source of our strength, and not exclusively sexual eroticism, but the erotic as our desire for mutuality, touch, and time spent being present with the people in our lives.

She talks about how our culture alienates us from our bodies, our eroticism, our sensuality, and how justice is the presence of love in the world. But not just any justice, certainly not "legal justice" but Justice that draws people into right relation with one another.

She tackles heterosexism, alienated power, and ends on a phenomenal examination of sexual ethics that despite her lack of knowledge regarding ace and trans folx mangages to be extremely inclusive and empowering.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminds me of process theology. A precursor of sorts to queer theology. I wanted to like this book more than I did. Her language is at times poetic, fluid, but does not quite pull off the energy and beauty characteristic of process thought. Really, though, one would read the book for her ideas on sexuality and the erotic. Here she offers a wonderful (although I find too totalizing), provocative enhancement and refiguring of the erotic's place in Christianity. Radical for the 1980s, and probably even radical for today.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter Heyward is a beautiful theologian and introduced me to many powerful thoughts.

[Susan Marrier · Rating 3 out of 5]

worth re-reading the underlined parts if ever getting into a new close relationship.