cosmicbookworm's reviews
309 reviews

I love Peter Enns's writing style. His sarcastic wit, sometimes tongue-in-cheek style, and genuine and loving nature remind me of my dad. Through his writing, I gain insight into scripture while feeling like I'm receiving wisdom from my father. Unlike my dad, who would be 105 now, Enns is my contemporary, which adds a relatable perspective. Enns' work through The Bible for Normal People https://thebiblefornormalpeople.com is an excellent resource for Christian readers seeking to approach scripture with a fresh perspective.

Sarah Bessey combines theology and storytelling in a second memoir.

I greatly appreciate her work. She has gone through the same kinds of thought shifts that I have but comes from a different place than I am and is in a different place than I am now, simply because she grew up Pentecostal and speaking in tongues. That is an experience that I can't relate to. 

As the book unfolded, it veered slightly from its central theme. It was heavy on the memoir side for my liking, but Bessey's gentle style and emphasis on loving those with differing views resonated deeply with me. This is a valuable lesson for those of us who are in a period of reevaluation and facing resistance from those who feel threatened by our evolving perspectives.

This paragraph in chapter 4 resonates with me: "But I had to learn that taking the Bible seriously doesn't mean taking everything literally. I had to learn to read the whole Bible through the lens of Jesus, and I had to learn to stop making it into something it wasn't—a glorified answer book or rule book or magic spell. I had to stop trying to reduce the Bible to something I could tame or wield as a tool. I had to let the Bible be everything it was meant to be, to cast away the idols of certainty, materialism, and control."

Sarah Bessey's memoir provides a refreshing perspective. It diverges from a typical theological discourse on gender equality in the church, so readers expecting a scholarly analysis may find it lacking. Bessey asserts that Jesus values and integrates women and men equally, challenging traditional complementarian views. By reexamining the concept of Biblical womanhood, she highlights the significant role of women in ministry. Not following a textbook format, she highlights seven women in the New Testament who are described as "diakoneo," emphasizing their service and ministry, which aligns with the responsibilities of men appointed to leadership in the early church. Bessey also suggests that the discipleship of the twelve men is more descriptive than prescriptive. 

In her chapter titled "Kingdom Come," Bessey discusses the idea of the kingdom of God and its connection to gender equality and women's empowerment. She stresses the significance of women using their talents and abilities to advance God's kingdom on earth, working alongside men. Bessey challenges conventional gender roles within church structures and advocates for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to ministry, where men and women work together as equals. The chapter inspires readers to imagine a church community where gender equality is embraced and everyone is empowered to contribute to the fulfillment of God's purpose on earth.

Bessey goes on to assure women of their commissioning as the family of God, using 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him ..... "

This book is now ten years old, as of 2023. Bessey has admitted that there are certain aspects of the book that she would revise if given the opportunity. For readers who are looking for more comprehensive insights, her subsequent works might address any perceived omissions from this book.

I chose to engage with McLaren's work because traditional perspectives on interpreting the Bible no longer work for me. McLaren's work is best suited for those open to exploring alternative viewpoints. I find his perspective refreshing and am thankful for his work. 

A high school friend, who is a parent of a daughter with Down syndrome, recommended this book.  I was unaware at first that it was about a child with Down syndrome. The story, based on the author's grandmother, mother and child, presents a real-life account from two different generational perspectives. Explored within the narrative are issues such as being the child of a biracial marriage, with a Native American father and a bigoted grandmother posing as a Christian. The protagonist is the mother of a the sixth child who has Down syndrome. She navigates the challenges associated with this situation. Despite preparing by listening to a YouTube interview of the author, I found the storytelling challenging.