Body of Faith

Book Description

In Body of Faith, scholar Robert C. Fuller presents a groundbreaking exploration of American religious history through an entirely new lens: the human body itself. Rather than viewing spiritual experience as purely cultural or linguistic, Fuller demonstrates how our biological nature fundamentally shapes our relationship with the divine.

This pioneering work reveals how the body's evolutionary systems have quietly influenced centuries of American religious expression. From the way physical pain responses affect spiritual practices to how sexual passion and emotions like shame and fear guide our connections with nature, society, and God, Fuller uncovers the profound biological underpinnings of faith.

Drawing on emerging scientific insights about human biology, Fuller supplements traditional historical approaches with a deeper understanding of how our physical selves participate in spiritual experience. This interdisciplinary perspective illuminates why American religious life displays such remarkable richness, diversity, and creative expression across different communities and time periods.

For readers seeking to understand the full spectrum of human spirituality, Body of Faith offers fresh insights into the intimate connection between our physical and spiritual selves. Fuller's approach bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and religious understanding, providing a more complete picture of how Americans have historically encountered and expressed their faith.

This innovative work opens new pathways for comprehending the complex relationship between body, mind, and spirit in religious experience.