A Voluptuous God: A Christian Heretic Speaks

While "voluptuous" may not be a word most of us associate with God, Bob Thompson speaks metaphorically of God being delicious, of God taking pleasure in simple things, of God knowing "that laughter is the best medicine, that only love can heal what ails us and only joy can cause our hearts to sing." This metaphor of God calls us to laughter, love and joy - voluptuousness as "full delight." Thompson calls us to worship a God of intimacy rather than a God of distance. Humanity (and God) hungers for closeness. Thompson's well-considered use of humor allows us to engage easily in the subject matter. The light but not trivial tone of his writing supports his basic premise that we are meant to live our humanity joyfully, thankfully, and fully from our hearts. A Voluptuous God is rooted in the Christian tradition but affirms that truth is found in other religions, spirituality and secular practices. It offers an exploration of the place (which is here and now) "where we belong to God and each other." A Voluptuous God offers questions and insights around many of the things our minds and souls dance with daily. It allows us to examine our personal spiritual needs and gives access to the larger spiritual truths that give shape and meaning to our lives.