Presbyterian pastor explores theological insights through prepositions in new book

Varina Buntin Willse, author of *Beneath and Between and Other Overlooked Words that Illuminate God*, shared insights during a recent episode of *A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast*. Her book emerged from a spiritual journey where she felt “I had let God get too small” due to limited language for describing God. She sought new ways to articulate her understanding of God, believing such language could transform her experience of the divine.

In *Beneath and Between*, Willse explores 15 prepositions to reimagine God’s relationship with humanity. Each preposition offers a distinct perspective on God’s presence and nature. The book blends personal narratives with scriptural references, aiming to foster deeper spiritual reflection. Willse described the work as “like having a long conversation with a close friend,” emphasizing its relational and intimate tone.

The book opens with the preposition “above,” which Willse notes is often the default way people conceptualize God. She acknowledges the traditional view of God as a sovereign, judging presence, but also highlights the pain that can arise from such a depiction. She reflects on the phrase “most high,” which she associates with wisdom and a long-term perspective. “When you’re above, you can see very far,” she said, imagining a God who sees all of time and space.

The preposition “beneath” holds particular significance for Willse. She points to biblical metaphors such as “rock,” “wellspring,” and “soil” to illustrate God as the foundation of existence. Theologians like Paul Tillich describe God as “the ground of our being,” a concept Willse finds deeply resonant. She encourages readers to “feel the soles of our feet on the ground right this minute,” grounding themselves in the presence of God beneath.

Willse emphasized that using prepositions to articulate God is not a novel idea. Once she began paying attention, she found such language embedded in various religious expressions. She noted that phrases like “God is love” or “God is every” reflect this tradition of using simple, relational terms to describe the divine. Her work builds on this legacy, offering fresh ways to engage with God’s presence in everyday life.

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