Sensual Faith by Lyvonne Briggs | Book Review

She rebukes purity culture and provides an on time Word for such a time as this.

Sensual Faith by Lyvonne Briggs is an on-time word for anyone reclaiming, discovering, or simply navigating the (sometimes messy) intersections of faith, religion and spirituality. Sensual Faith uplifts the “imago dei” standard and lavishly applies it to black womanhood. In Latin, this phrase simply means “image of God.” This book argues that belief is a breeding ground for love in all its forms——especially self-love.

Lyvonne Briggs, MDiv, ThM, an Emmy Award winner, is a body- and sex-positive womanist preacher, speaker, coach, and creator. Briggs is the host of the Sensual Faith podcast, which I’ve listened to every episode of.

“Pleasure is your birthright,” writes Briggs, so whether it’s accepting your flesh, nurturing your intuition, learning the language of consent, or sumptuous self-care, let radical self-hospitality guide you to healthy sexuality.

Listening to the audiobook, I was very pleased with my experience. Briggs narrates her book beautifully. Her voice is clear. Her care is present. Her sass is sprinkled throughout. It felt like I was listening to an older cousin break down her theology, self-care practices, and overall spiritual journey. I’m deeply impressed by the author’s transparency and patience with readers. She walks us through revolutionary theological conclusions with ease.

If you’ve ever fallen victim to the beast of purity culture; pick up this book immediately. Purity culture is a school of thought that represses and arguably oppresses Christian women’s sexuality. This book is eye-opening for people at various points on a liberatory theology journey. It leans on womanist theology, which is a theological approach that focuses on the experiences of black women. I believe this book is a necessary read for any self-identifying womanist of faith.

This book is now a staple in my reading collection. I plan on recommending this book not only to y’all online but to loved ones in real life. One of my favorite quotations from this book is, “I no longer create from a place of protest. I create from being planted in pleasure.” This is precisely what adopting a womanist framework for my spirituality has done for me. If something doesn’t align with my joy and healing, it’s not something for me to believe in. I am planted in pleasure moving forward.

This book also inspires me to figure out what sensuality means to me. How can I live a more lush, lively, lovely life? Briggs is big on pleasure and bodily acceptance. After reading this book, I felt prompted to get in tune with my body in a new way. I’ve fixed my bicycle and bought a pink, cheetah print yoga mat. I use a tumeric body scrub and fill my room with earthy incense. I’m pickier with the men I allow in my presence. I check in with Spirit and prioritize soul hygiene. This is the art of coming home to yourself.

Briggs repeats throughout the book, “Home is not an address. Home is where you feel safe. And your body is aching to be your home.” As I enter 2025 and begin to cultivate a fruitful second half of my twenties, I’m grateful I encountered this text. It was the exit I needed from toxic theology and church spaces. It was the reminder I needed from a sister who’s further on her journey.

Sensual Faith is a new staple in the womanist theological canon. Don’t miss out on this moment of history.