‘Belly-Worshippers and Greed-Paunches’: Fatness and the Belly in the Lutheran Reformation

Abstract Corpulence is an area of body-history which receiving increased attention in line with current concerns about rising obesity as well social movements champion body positivity and fat acceptance. Historians have challenged the traditional narrative that past societies being ‘fat’ was simply viewed a positive sign wealth prosperity, showing instead fatness could be criticized early sixteenth century. Yet complexities contradictions present historical understandings bodyweight size often remain overlooked. This article explores such nuances conceptions thinness by examining various ways held meaning specific context Lutheran Reformation. Through consideration bodily resurrection, apocalyptic belief form heavenly bodies, it demonstrates how discussions weight were embedded fundamental debates sin salvation. Within these discussions, significance belly comes to fore. For Luther particular, source nuance, enabling flexible presenting complexity differentiating between thin where deployed metaphor regardless actual physicality. Luther’s own large has been shown linked his theology success reformer, this takes position further, using figure lens through view wider