A Sexual Reformation
Written by: Nadia Bolz-Weber
Narrated by: Nadia Bolz-Weber
Wholehearted Faith
Written by: Rachel Held Evans, Jeff Chu
Narrated by: Daniel Jonce Evans, Jeff Chu, Jamie Wright, and others
Rachel Held Evans is widely recognized for her theologically astute, profoundly honest, and beautifully personal books, which have guided, instructed, edified, and shaped Christians as they seek to live out a just and loving faith. At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Rachel was working on a new book about wholeheartedness. With the help of her close friend and author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress has been woven together with some of her other unpublished writings into a rich collection of essays.
Life giving
By Jdawg11 on 2021-11-07
Written by: Rachel Held Evans, and others
Searching for Sunday
Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church
Written by: Rachel Held Evans
Narrated by: Rachel Held Evans
Like millions of her millennial peers, Rachel Held Evans didn't want to go to church anymore. The hypocrisy, the politics, the gargantuan building budgets, the scandals - church culture seemed so far removed from Jesus. Yet despite her cynicism and misgivings, something kept drawing her back. And so she set out on a journey to understand the Church and to find her place in it.
I laughed, I cried, I felt understood
By Rebecca on 2020-05-18
Accidental Saints
Finding God in All the Wrong People
In Accidental Saints, New York Times best-selling au­thor Nadia Bolz-Weber invites readers into a surprising encounter with what she calls "a religious but not-so-spiritual life." Tattooed, angry and profane, this former standup comic turned pastor stubbornly, sometimes hilariously, resists the God she feels called to serve. But God keeps showing up in the least likely of people - a church-loving agnostic, a drag queen, a felonious Bishop and a gun-toting member of the NRA.
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again
If the Bible isn't a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her—and it will change you too.
Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and possible interpretations, retelling them through memoir, original poetry, short stories, soliloquies, and even a short screenplay. Undaunted by the Bible's most difficult passages, Evans wrestles through the process of doubting, imagining, and debating Scripture's mysteries. The Bible, she discovers, is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God's loving and redemptive work in the world.
By Jamie on 2020-09-23
How the Bible Actually Works
In Which I Explain How an Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers - and Why That's Great News
Written by: Peter Enns
Narrated by: Peter Enns
How the Bible Actually Works makes clear that there is no one right way to read or listen to the Bible. Moving us beyond the damaging idea that "being right" is the most important measure of faith, Enns' freeing approach to Bible study helps us to instead focus on pursuing enlightenment and building our relationship with God - which is exactly what the Bible was designed to do.
Oddly written
By Clayton Thomas on 2021-02-23
After Evangelicalism
The Path to a New Christianity
Written by: David P. Gushee
Narrated by: Adam Verner
Millions are getting lost in the evangelical maze: inerrancy, indifference to the environment, deterministic Calvinism, purity culture, racism, LGBTQ discrimination, male dominance, and Christian nationalism. They are now conscientious objectors, deconstructionists, perhaps even "none and done". As one of America's leading academics speaking to the issues of religion today, David Gushee offers a clear assessment and a new way forward for disillusioned post-evangelicals.
The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint
Heavily tattooed and foul-mouthed, Nadia Bolz-Weber, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn't consider herself to be religious-leader material - until the day she ended up leading a friend's funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club. Surrounded by fellow alcoholics, depressives, and cynics, she realized: These were her people. Maybe she was meant to be their pastor. Using life stories, Nadia uses humorous narrative and poignant honesty to portray a woman who is both deeply faithful and deeply flawed, giving hope to the rest of us along the way.
Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free
Written by: Linda Kay Klein
Narrated by: Linda Kay Klein
In the 1990s, a "purity industry" emerged out of the white evangelical Christian culture. Purity rings, purity pledges, and purity balls came with a dangerous message: girls are potential sexual "stumbling blocks" for boys and men, and any expression of a girl's sexuality could reflect the corruption of her character. This message traumatized many girls - resulting in anxiety, fear, and experiences that mimicked the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder - and trapped them in a cycle of shame.
Just. What. I. Needed.
By Crystal on 2021-04-20
The Bible Tells Me So
Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
Trained as an evangelical Bible scholar, Peter Enns loved the Scriptures and shared his devotion by teaching at Westminster Theological Seminary. But the further he studied the Bible, the more he found himself confronted by questions that could neither be answered within the rigid framework of his religious instruction nor be accepted among the conservative evangelical community.
An excellent honest Evangelical look at Bible
By Shen Chiu on 2018-04-18
Faith Unraveled
How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask Questions
Written by: Rachel Held Evans, Sarah Bessey
From New York Times best-selling author Rachel Held Evans: a must-listen for anyone on the journey of doubt, deconstruction, and ultimately faith reborn. Eighty years after the Scopes Monkey Trial made a spectacle of Christian fundamentalism and brought national attention to her hometown, Rachel Held Evans faced a trial of her own when she began to have doubts about her faith. Rachel recounts growing up in a culture obsessed with apologetics, struggling as her own faith unraveled one unexpected question at a time.
Hope for the journey
By Grace Walker on 2019-09-20
Miracles and Other Reasonable Things
A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God
Written by: Sarah Bessey
Narrated by: Erin Moon
Sarah Bessey was in her sweet spot: a popular author, sought-after speaker and preacher, and an active and engaged mother of four, married to the love of her life. Raised within the Word of Faith and prosperity movements, which declared that obedience to God led to untold blessings, her life seemed to prove the preachers of her childhood were right. Then she was in a car accident with life-shattering consequences, and everything she thought she knew about God and faith was upended. Sarah tells us the whole story of the car accident that changed her body and changed her life.
Meandering and Worth a Listen
By Josh Ruberg on 2020-07-01
How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
Written by: Kristin Kobes du Mez
Narrated by: Suzie Althens
How did a libertine who lacks even the most basic knowledge of the Christian faith win 81 percent of the white evangelical vote in 2016? And why have white evangelicals become a presidential reprobate's staunchest supporters? Jesus and John Wayne is a sweeping account of the last 75 years of white evangelicalism, showing how American evangelicals have worked for decades to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism.
By Kindle Customer on 2021-01-27
Raw, intimate, and timely, Nadia Bolz-Weber's latest book offers a full-blown overhaul of our harmful and antiquated ideas about sex, gender, and our bodies.
Christians are obsessed with sex. But not in a good way. For generations countless people have suffered pain, guilt, and judgment as a result of this toxic fixation on sex, the body, and physical pleasure. In the follow-up to her celebrated New York Times best seller Accidental Saints, Bolz-Weber unleashes her critical eye, her sharp pen, and her vulnerable but hopeful soul on the caustic, fear-riddled, and religiously inspired messages about sex that have fed our shame.
In turn, Bolz-Weber offers no simple amendments or polite compromises, because the stakes are too high - and our souls and our bodies are worth too much. Instead, this tattooed, swearing, modern-day pastor calls for a new reformation. She urges us to take antiquated, sexist ideas about sex, gender, and our bodies and "burn them the f--k down and start all over."
This is a journey of holy resistance. Along the way, as antidotes to shame, heresy, and all-too-familiar injustice, Bolz-Weber dispenses grace, freedom, and courage. She shares stories, poetry, and scripture, cultivating resilient hope and audacious love rooted in good news that is "powerful enough, transgressive enough, and beautiful enough to heal not only the ones who have been hurt but also those who have done the hurting."
In Bolz-Weber's most personal, bracingly honest book yet, she shares intimately about her life, with her trademark blend of vulnerability, humor, and candor. If you've been mistreated, confused, angered, and/or wounded by the shaming sexual messages so prevalent in religion, this one is for you. Includes a PDF of images and drawings from the book.
©2019 Nadia Bolz-Weber (P)2019 Random House Audio
Ministry & Evangelism Christian Living Personal Development Sex Instruction
What the critics say
"Shameless is a triumph. Nadia Bolz-Weber returns to readers the gift toxic religion and consumer culture stole: the gift of sexuality. Her wisdom is unparalleled, her vulnerability touching, her storytelling masterful, and her perspective both ancient and fresh. Shameless will give its readers their joy, relationships, and freedom back." (Glennon Doyle, author of number-one New York Times best seller Love Warrior, Founder and President of Together Rising)
"Shameless is one of the most important, life-changing books I've ever read. Expertly-crafted and lovingly delivered, it serves as both a bomb and a balm - blowing up the lies religion teaches about sex and tenderly healing the wounds those messages have inflicted. Pastoral and prophetic, Shameless weaves together history, theology, biblical studies, personal narrative, and sex ed, without ever losing sight of its most important aim - honoring the dignity of actual human beings living actual, messy and beautiful lives. It's Nadia Bolz-Weber's best book yet. And that's saying something." (Rachel Held Evans, author of Searching for Sunday and Inspired)
"If the conversation around sex in the Church has felt like a small, cramped room to you, brace yourself: Nadia Bolz-Weber is about to kick in the door, hustle you outside, and burn down the room as you march out into the fresh air. This irreverent, bold, and authentic book is deeply centered in love and the transforming goodness of God. If ever there was a time for the Church to disrupt the world's broken notions around sex, gender, masculinity, and power with this sort of a shameless reformation, it is now. And Nadia is the loving, hopeful, wise, take-no-prisoners disruptor we've been waiting for." (Sarah Bessey, author of Jesus Feminist and Out of Sorts)
What listeners say about Shameless
5 out of 5 stars 4.8 out of 5
A Must Listen
This book is incredible, and for anyone who has suffered abuse at the hands of the church- redemptive. Even if you have walked away from Christianity and don't intend to go back, there is much healing in this book and a different way to hold the stories that children who have been abused by literal dogma were taught.
Courtney Cann
Thank you, Nadia, for having the courage to share so honestly, humbly and truthfully. Your words not only helped to heal some of my past, but (even more excitingly) helped to shine radiant light on my future. ~Courtney Cann
Jake26574
was interested to hear a woman's perspective and considered what was said. It resonates with me. thank-you for writing it.
Kelvin W.
Great content!
I loved the overall story of the book but the political references weren't needed nor were they accurate. Otherwise great book.
Cheryl-Lynn Brown
Eloquently written, heartfelt and engaging! I have long been a fan of this author, never disappoints!
Katie Dillman
Most certainly pastoral work
A perfect embodiment of her self professed pastoral style of fuck it I'll go first
Kacie k.
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.
mountainfrog
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.
Margaret Priola
Thank you, Nadia
Thank you, Nadia. That is all I can really say. This is going to be healing for so many, including me.
Meg Moore
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.
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.
John-Michael Marrs
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.
Ashlei Ryan
this book is life changing! thank you Nadia for your beautiful words! I will definitely be buying copies and handing this one out!
B. Morrison
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.
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.