Touching the Future

Abstract

Christian models of eschatology have often aligned ultimate, perfected existence with immateriality and disembodiment, and have subsequently devalued materiality and embodiment; This is particularly problematic for women’s bodies given their patriarchal alignment with materiality. In response to this problem, this article rethinks the relationship between eschatology and the female body. It asserts that present embodiments are valuable and valued by God, and thus that women’s bodies can be trusted and can add substance to the anticipation of the future. In particular, the article envisions the future through the lens of the maternal body, and therein highlights the eschatological transformation of bodies into abundant life and flourishing. It proposes that this can be both anticipated and created in the present through the practice of touch, as this has the capacity to re-unite dichotomized aspects of existence and to ‘flesh out’ the eschatological affirmation of bodies.