Handle with Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry by Lore Ferguson Wilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Handle with Care, Lore has written a helpful introduction to what essentially is a theology of touch. She offers us a well-reasoned and well-written book inviting us to re-consider the implications of past ideas and practices regarding touch by closely examining the practices of Jesus as he interacted with those around him.
By providing historical background, which includes the “me, too” and purity culture movements, offering categories of touch, which include definitions of healthy and unhealthy platonic, sexual , and profession touch, she sets the context for the remainder of the book. While offering few specifics and rules, she does offer two concepts that undergird her thesis. First, we are to consider the person in front of us and second, we need to see others as subjects of the kingdom, not objects of our worship. Although the latter was specific to her discussion of marriage, this very helpful framework is throughout the book.
As is sometimes the case, I happened on an example of what Lore writes about Handle with Care in the recent movie adaptation of Little Women. Throughout this movie, Greta Gerwig and the actors provide scene after scene of how touch is used to show affection, provide comfort, serve, fight, create and more. I finished the book a few days before seeing the movie. Each enhanced my understanding of the other.
I will gladly and without reservation recommend this book to many of my friends. I can see how it concepts could be helpful to many in healthcare, education, and church professions. But more so, I hope that we all reconsider how we use touch and be willing to examine and change our practices with our friends and family.
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of the book from the publisher.


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