Much like all of Rachel's other books, I absolutely love
this book. The language and stories re-imagined spoke deeply to my soul. I
especially loved the chapter on Hagar and the other forgotten women of the
Bible. I have often felt a sense of wonder/connection about, and with, the
women we never hear about or only hear negative things about in pop culture,
the church, and the Bible. I was so tempted to highlight every passage and read
it aloud to friends, text friends, and spread the wonderful message.
I did not grow up going to church. I may have attended here
and there with an aunt, but it was not consistent, reinforced, or any such
thing. However, when I was in my late teens, I began attending a
non-denominational church and was baptized there. Looking back, I think I
attended for a variety of reasons. It was a time of my life when I was looking
for stability in my life and it's the church my friends attended, so it was
easy and i knew some people. However, as I got older and experienced more of
life, I discovered that it didn't answer ALL my questions, or the answers were
too easy, flippant, or not really answers. I left the church for a while, but
then found the Episcopal which encourages these questions.
All of that is to say that I was never raised to believe
that the Bible had absolutely authority or couldn't be questioned. It was never
literal fact for me. The stories of the Bible, all of them, have been just that
for me, stories. Being steeped in them Sunday after Sunday, year after year,
and after reading Rachel's new book has given me a deeper understanding and
appreciation for the mythology of Judaism/Christianity and a better
understanding of the writings included in the New Testament.
Finally, I would like to thank Rachel and her publisher for
the ARC of this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this
book!
