Summary

Chapter Thirteen, “Hands,” begins Part III, which is titled "Holy Orders." In this introductory chapter, the author references the general power of human touch, and then goes on to list the various ways that the touch of hands manifests the word and ways of God and Jesus. She describes how “those called to the roles of pastor, deacon, bishop, or priest – named “Holy Orders” in some traditions – begin their ministry with the hands of God’s people placed prayerfully upon their shoulders or their heads” (97-98), and then goes on to list all the things that the hands of preachers and lay Christians alike can do, and perhaps should do. She concludes by saying that “through touch, God gave us the power to injure or to heal, to wage war or to wash feet. Let us not forget the gravity of that. Let...