Because of its followers, Christianity has gotten a bad wrap. Perhaps that’s just in recent years, but I know enough to suspect that it’s always been so. To put people in the pews, many pastors have appealed to minor parts of the Bible while omitting parts that would make its followers uncomfortable. Like the fact that Jesus hung out with prostitutes. Or that God’s loving forgiveness of humanity is absolute. Or that the first Christian preacher was the woman Mary Magdalene, not some member of the patriarchy. Or that Jesus compares his spiritual practices to death. Many of us who struggle to grasp what these messages mean in our personal lives don’t have provocative life stories. For instance, I’m an academic working mostly in front of a computer. But standup comedian-turned alcoholic-female pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber manages to tie all those lessons in with an engaging life story to convey a message that transcends traditional ideological divisions.
After ordination as a Lutheran pastor, Bolz-Weber founded the House for All Sinners & Saints church in Denver, Colorado, by embracing those who were often excluded from more traditional religious communities. She welcomes all with the explicit mission of trying to embody Jesus Christ’s radical message. Tattooed with Mary Magdalene on her forearm, she entertains with copious curse words and a snarky sense of humor. Yet she captures simple theological truths in deep applications.
She isn’t for everyone’s tastes. Those who attend church just to appear like a moral person might be offended by her sassiness. Others might never listen to a woman preach. Still others might not like how her parishioners consist of those not welcomed by most churches. Yet Bolz-Weber describes her calling as being “God’s bitch,” and she seeks to live that out throughout a life of ups and downs.
Those disenchanted with traditional religion yet still spiritually searching will find a home in her message. I benefitted from placing some of my meanderings alongside her journey. She is a bit preachy at times, but in the next breath, she drops an F-bomb. That unique voice expands her reach to a larger group than most churches reach on Sundays. She’s not a perfect person, and she doesn’t preach about embracing more prosperous ways. That authentic, grace-filled voice is why it should be heeded with care.
Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint
By Nadia Bolz-Weber
Copyright (c) 2013
Hachette Audio
ASIN: B00EV2PGOS
Length: 5:39
Genre: Religion, Memoir
www.amazon.com