Tara Beth Leach’s book “Radiant Church” is a prophetic, inspiring call for the church to strip layers of patriarchy and toxic religious culture in order to bear witness to the love of Christ in our world.
Years and years of toxic religious culture and patriarchal conditioning have led many women to believe that being a peacemaker means refusing to argue. Refusing to engage in any and all forms of conflict. Or even bending over backward to make sure that others are comfortable, even in situations where they are in the wrong. However, this type of thinking actually tends to cause more harm than good, both in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Deconstruction often garners pushback from church leaders who cry “heretic!” But is deconstructing your faith biblical?
As a Faith Deconstruction Coach I meet a lot of people getting pushback about the questions they’re asking as they deconstruct their faith. There’s a lot of people talking about it, so let’s disfcuss if it’s a good thing or something to be avoided.
The injustices of the world are heavy and weigh our down our souls. But an Old Testament inspired lament is the perfect vehicle to cry out to God on behalf of the oppression and pain we see in the world. This is my gift to you: a poetic expression of hope and heartbreak to use in your reflection, prayer, and meditation time.
You've probably been taught Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary are in Jesus' family tree. (Technically Bathsheba is only listed as Uriah’s wife, but we still count that as a naming in patriarchal biblical texts that often COMPLETELY left women out of the story.)...
In the last few years, we have seen a significant ramp-up of hateful rhetoric pointed straight at strong women. We’ve been called emotional, irrational, and uninformed for speaking against patriarchal and toxic systems. Every feminist knows that this isn’t a new...