Books – Page 3 – OtherWise Christian

The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It, 2014

Published on August 8, 2019August 31, 2019 by Mx Chris PaigeLeave a comment

In addition to How the Bible Works (2019), Peter Enns previously wrote The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It (2014). I actually cited The Bible Tells Me So in OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation, though only briefly.

In The Bible Tells Me So, Enns similarly tackles the biblical tradition in a thoughtful, irreverent, and self-deprecating manner. He shares about the collapse of his childhood understanding of the Bible and how facing up to the challenge of the Bible and allow it to change how he experiences God and tradition. Continue reading “The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It, 2014” →

Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, 2018

Published on August 6, 2019August 31, 2019 by Mx Chris Paige4 Comments

Another book that I like to recommend is Austen Hartke‘s 2018 Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians. Whereas OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation is unapologetic and mostly follows a trail of scripture references, Hartke’s book has a softer touch and wonderfully weaves in the personal faith experiences of several transgender Christians.

For allies who want or need to hear more about the struggles and experiences of transgender Christians, Hartke’s book is a great one-stop option that combines stories, with biblical and theological reflection. Continue reading “Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, 2018” →

The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective, 2018

Published on July 24, 2019August 31, 2019 by Mx Chris Paige7 Comments

In OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Liberation, I used so much content from Joy Ladin’s The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective that I asked her to read two of my chapters just to make sure I didn’t get anything wrong in representing her work!

Continue reading “The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective, 2018” →

Ebed-melech: The “Other” Ethiopian Eunuch (CORRECTED)

Published on July 9, 2019September 9, 2019 by Mx Chris Paige3 Comments

CORRECTION: While the “other” Ethiopian eunuch DOES ~~n’t~~ appear in Transfigurations: Transgressing Gender in the Bible, I DIDN’T REALIZE IT!!

Here’s my advice watch BOTH the lecture version AND the performance version. There is some overlap, but you’ll miss some important insights if you only take the time to do one or the other.

Peterson Toscano has also done important work bringing this story to light. Ebed-melech wasn’t in the original performances (back in the day), but Toscano tells the story on the Transfigurations DVD in the lecture version, chapter 7, which debuted in the live performances around 2010 (according to Peterson).

Continue reading “Ebed-melech: The “Other” Ethiopian Eunuch (CORRECTED)” →

Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, 2011

Published on July 7, 2019August 31, 2019 by Mx Chris PaigeLeave a comment

When I was compiling the list of books for my appendix on reading the Bible again, Keisha McKenzie made an important point about rethinking heaven/hell as a key part of getting free from supremacist religion. Rob Bell’s Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived is one of the books that I included to address that topic.

Continue reading “Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, 2011” →

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, 2019

Published on July 6, 2019August 31, 2019 by Mx Chris Paige1 Comment

Rachel Held Evans credits Peter Enns with being her teacher. When I asked around for resources related to reading the Bible again, Matthew Vines also recommended Dr. Enns. Dr Enns is Hebrew scripture scholar, but writes in a very accessible way with a self-deprecating wit, which you can see even in his ridiculous subtitle.

Continue reading “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, 2019” →

Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, 2018

Published on July 4, 2019August 31, 2019 by Mx Chris Paige3 Comments

I wanted to include a list of more general resources about the Bible for those readers who might want to dig deeper into scripture. I asked my Facebook friends what books they would recommend. Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans was suggested by at least four different people! Check your local library, because this one is super popular! Continue reading “Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, 2018” →