Most certainly pastoral work

A perfect embodiment of her self professed pastoral style of fuck it I’ll go first

4 people found this helpful

putting my faith back into my religion

Nadia bolz-weber has amazing context in her story and I really love how she's helped me put my face back into my religion as a lesbian affirmed Presbyterian Christian. she really puts a fresh and modern spin on Christianity which is needed to happen for some time.

4 people found this helpful

Disappointing

I wanted to like this book. Nadia Bolz-Weber is one of my favorite writers. I have given her books as gifts. I think she is a gifted speaker and thinker. I think her premise is correct. We need to rethink the purity culture in the Evangelical church. We need to support sexual minorities. We need love each other when we do not meet historic biblical standards set forth by the mainline (patriarchal) church.

My concern, however, is that she has a very big logical fallacy in this book. She opens her book with the argument that holiness is defined as "togetherness". She argues that holiness is where separate beings come together. This just isn't a correct definition of holiness. Holy is defined as "set apart for God". Merriam Webster definition of holy - exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness". By definition. holiness is not carnal. She argues that erotic exploration is holy because it is communion.

I think she is using the wrong words. I agree that communion can be good. I agree that God wants communion, but I don't think she is using the word "holy" correctly. Since this is one of her foundational arguments, the rest of the first section seems to falter.

Because I love her writing, I continued to the second half of the book. The second half of the book is better. She describes the walk of sexual minorities and the paternalistic church. This is compelling. She ends with the admonition to work toward forgiveness and general communion. This is powerful.

I wanted to be able to share this book, but I can't. I think her misuse of the word "holy" is too big of a stumbling block. I am personally glad I listened to it, but I can not recommend for others.

21 people found this helpful

Thank you, Nadia

Thank you, Nadia. That is all I can really say. This is going to be healing for so many, including me.

1 person found this helpful

Not what I thought

I’m not impressed by this in the least bit. If you’ve been suppressed by your sexuality by the church then maybe you’d find this interesting. But if you’re sure of yourself and looking for a different perspective on sexuality in church it sucks. I loved her interview with Rich Roll which was why I downloaded this book but this book isn’t worth it.

2 people found this helpful

Not what I was hoping for.

I have been a Christian all my life and have not had bad experiences in church, so maybe, like the author says, I didn’t benefit as much from the “revolutionary” ideas in the book. To be honest, it felt like the author’s ideas were often her own opinion and arbitrary poetic ideas that weren’t based on the bible or what Jesus taught. Using the description of “holiness” liberally, was a perfect example of taking nice words from the bible and using them to suit her purposes. While not necessarily wrong, I felt like I couldn’t trust the author’s ideas because they weren’t rooted in something solid. I guess it felt more like a cultural adaptation that tried so gard to be liberal that it didn’t leave much as much solid Christianity to talk about. It’s an interesting listen, but I guess it’s not for me.

2 people found this helpful

So thankful for and to this lady!

Characteristically honest, life-giving, and life affirming. In the vein of Pure, but with even greater hope, anecdotes, and theology.

2 people found this helpful

so beautiful!

this book is life changing! thank you Nadia for your beautiful words! I will definitely be buying copies and handing this one out!

10/10 am sharing with my daughters

Nadia Bolz-Weber puts into words what I’ve been thinking about the oppressive nature of “Christian” teachings toward sex. I’m glad to have this resource because it’s going to be very helpful when I have to have “the talk” with my daughters later. I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to challenge their perception about what they’ve learned in church about (lack of) sex and intimacy.

Freedom

Nadia has once again presented a God that is approachable, Grace filled and loving in a world that is isolating, judgmental, and harsh. Nadia’s vision of God is one that restores my faith every time. She is not just pastrix, she is a prophet, a truth teller, and a freedom fighter. She is my hero and I will forever be grateful for her voice, her courage, and her ministry.