Book Review: "Who Stole My Bible?"
I resonated so much with this book that I came away reading it affirmed that the journey of faith that I am walking on is good and God pleasing. In fact, my thoughts are so in sync with the author's that I kept trying to remember if I had met her before!
Rev. Butler is the CEO of Faith in Public Life, a network of clergy who focus on justice and equality. I think her org was one of the recipients of MacKenzie Scott's latest philanthropic donations, so they have been doing good work to get noticed at that level. If/ when I re-enter church work, I will definitely be looking into how I can get involved in the network.
The book itself serves as a faith based commentary on the previous administration, but also linking the present resistance movement to the liberation theology of the 1970's... and let's be honest, the Bible.
One of the key quotes I took away from the book was, "As Christians, we are all called to 'image' God in every person. When we do this, we will find ourselves in opposition to leaders and systems that trample on human dignity rather than being co-opted by a tyrant or numbed to the cries of the vulnerable." (p.19). The Imago Dei present in every person should dictate how we treat all people... it's what makes the chattel slavery of the 1600-1800's so disgusting and depressing... it's what makes the current 'faith based' opposition towards the BLM movement so infuriating... we as Christians should know better. It's what's been driving my own personal advocacy for the LGBTQ community, the immigrant communities, the unhoused, etc. so primary to my faith. (I think gender equity is not even debateable at this point. Who outside of religious folk even bother debating whether women should be equal to men?)
Overall, I appreciated how Rev. Butler broke down each chapter of the book. She started by contextualizing and personalizing Scripture, adding different perspectives or narratives to enhance the meaning behind the passages she selected. The next section added the historical implications for misinterpretation, and then adds current examples of where a proper interpretation of the Biblical passage is needed. The last section of each chapter which shared how we are to resist was most helpful.
I resonated and deeply appreciated this book. I would recommend to anyone who is looking to fill a deficit between what they feel they should care about in our world today and what is being taught at their church. Thank you for the book Rev. Butler!
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