Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life

by Paul Hoard, Billie Hoard

For too long, Christianity has been distorted by an overapplied purity-disgust fueling exclusion, reinforcing fear, and enabling Christian Nationalism. Eucontamination challenges this toxic framework, arguing that Jesus did not retreat from impurity but transformed it.


This interdisciplinary work weaves together psychology, psychoanalysis, theology, and sociology to expose how disgust has shaped Christian witness—from theological education to church exclusion and social scapegoating. But there is a better way.


The authors propose that Christ is not fragile in the face of sin but a “good infection,” a force that spreads healing and redemption. Instead of protecting a brittle purity, true faith embraces eucontamination—a sanctifying engagement with the world, not a retreat from it.


For Christians seeking a faith that resists exclusion and embraces radical love, Eucontamination offers a vision of transformation—one where Truth, Life, and the Way are not delicate things to be defended but powerful forces moving through and within us all.

Genres: Theology

242 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2025

Reviews

[Joshua C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and thought provoking

I like being challenged by counterintuitive ideas, and the core concept here is very challenging. This is a lens of examination for the Bible and church that I've never considered before. The building blocks of the concept are laid out clearly and carefully. (With robust footnotes) I found the interplay between the perspectives of the sibling coauthors to be enriching and delightful. Highly recommended for those who want a refreshing approach to Christian faith and community.

[Michael Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and important.

[Dave Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Paul Hoard is literally my neighbor who lives down the street and Billie Hoard is his sister and this is a great book that is entirely relevant for the times that we find ourselves living in. "Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life" is right over the target as they say. There is a lot of talk about Jesus and poop. The Hoards want us to examine our disgust reactions particularly toward other human beings and ask ourselves why. What in our thinking and experience leads to these conclusions about others? There are many CS Lewis quotes, a few George MacDonald quotes and an interdisciplinary look at the Bible, theology and psychology that leads readers to a unique perspective and challenge to our churches and nation. Highly recommend this book! Further up and further in!

[Marla Asson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a hopeful book! A timely contribution to the Christian conversation, to counter the increasing volume of transphobia, homophobia, racism, and misogyny present in our culture. The authors describe how disgust theology is used to shame and exclude individuals and groups from community, then explain, with copious scriptural references, how to debunk such harmful theology. The concept of eucontamination offers a way forward to break the cycle of disgust and shame that creates scapegoats to shun, rather than brothers, sisters, and siblings to love.