Welcome the conclusion of the two-part series where we explore the expectations of femininity and masculinity in the American church! Listen with an open mind as we compare cultural norms with biblical truths, and share stories that have helped mold our faiths and revisit our own biases. As always, we promise laughs, challenges, and maybe a food metaphor or two. 

SOURCES:

Redefining masculinity: Three psychologists strive to build a ‘better' man.

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/06/masculinity

What Is Toxic Masculinity?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/us/toxic-masculinity.amp.html

How the Christian ‘masculinity’ movement is ruining men

https://religionnews.com/2016/08/30/how-the-christian-masculinity-movement-is-ruining-men/

5 Themes of Biblical Manhood

https://www.cru.org/us/en/communities/families/5-themes-biblical-manhood.html

A Critical Review of John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart

https://www.ccwtoday.org/2010/04/a-critical-review-of-john-eldredges-wild-at-heart/

Sex, Marriage, & Fairytales || Spoken Word

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4OK9DmLpCY Photo credit: https://www.taylorraesphoto.com/

In the first of our two-part series on Femininity & Masculinity, we dissect what the Bible and American church culture deem as being feminine. And yes, it will probably piss people off.

Sources:

What is Biblical Femininity?

https://midtowncolumbia.com/blog/what-is-biblical-femininity

A REAL WOMAN? DEFINING BIBLICAL FEMININITY

https://www.livehope.org/article/a-real-woman-defining-biblical-femininity/

Biblical Womanhood: How the Bible Defines Femininity

http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=140011648&sec_id=140001239

What the Bible Doesn’t Say About Femininity

https://www.boundless.org/relationships/what-the-bible-doesnt-say-about-femininity/

The Beauty of Womanhood

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-beauty-of-womanhood

Photo credit: https://www.taylorraesphoto.com/

This week, Sarah helps us take a closer look at verses often taken out of context and used to abuse or invalidate women - yes, we are talking about motherhood and childbearing. Does getting pregnant mean women will be saved? What exactly does "be fruitful and multiply" entail? What if you're a young woman sure of not having kids? We have some answers, a few questions, and lots of laughter in store!

Sources:

IS MOTHERHOOD THE HIGHEST CALLING FOR WOMEN?

https://margmowczko.com/is-motherhood-the-highest-calling-for-women/

What Does It Mean that Women Will Be Saved through Childbearing?

https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-does-it-mean-that-women-will-be-saved-through-childbearing-1-timothy-2/

She Will Be Saved Through Childbearing

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/will-saved-childbearing/%3Famp

Out of Context: Women are Saved through Childbearing

https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/context-women-saved-childbearing/

What Does it Mean That Women Will Be Saved through Childbearing?

https://www.ibelieve.com/motherhood/what-does-it-mean-that-women-will-be-saved-through-childbearing.html

How Are Women Saved Through Childbearing?

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-are-women-saved-through-childbearing

Photo credit: https://www.taylorraesphoto.com/

By definition, a wildfire consumes without limits, causing pain and destruction while a candle can provide warmth and light in dark places. How can these two be reconciled in a world full of cancel culture, nasty comment sections, and opinions that feel like yelling into the void?

In this episode, we grapple with different definitions and examples, and discuss how we can be passionate about their beliefs while without burning others and invalidating their opinions. 

Sources:⁣

"𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 – 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴":

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/03/being-woke-isnt-so-easy-even-if-you-know-what-it-means

What does it say when a Christian cusses? Are they not listening to supposedly "specific" bible verses? Are they abusing their freedom in Christ? What the HECK is going on here?! Like many other topics debated in scripture, there are almost too many stances to count. Similar to drinking alcohol or getting tattoos, cursing is often looked down upon by some as a "sign of lower intelligence" or a sign of spiritual immaturity. This stance often leads to those who cuss feeling less convicted by the Holy Spirit, and more condemned by their brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Marleny decided to take verses that certain articles used as "proof" to not curse and research them in this episode. Listen as we dive deep into the historical context and different translations often used to refute cussing. Together, they uncover surprises ("Why does Jesus always talk about camels?") and discuss ways to better love and understand others who follow Jesus.  "The Unforgivable Sin" by Jefferson Bethke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5RP6mQK4N8&t=75s

Sarah leads the discussion this week as we delve into the topic of preaching - as a woman.

Growing up complementarian, neither of us realized until our twenties how much we loved learning and preaching God's word, but ran into some trouble early on in expressing that love. Listen as we share stories of struggle, doubt, and faith, and admit there is still much to learn. 

"With" by Skye Jethani:

https://www.amazon.com/Reimagining-Way-You-Relate-God/dp/1595553797

Summaries of the Egalitarian and Complementarian Positions:

https://cbmw.org/2007/06/26/summaries-of-the-egalitarian-and-complementarian-positions/

Photo credit: https://www.taylorraesphoto.com/

In our very first episode, we discuss trauma and its effects on mental health, a topic that is severely misunderstood in the Christian church today. Listen as we open up about their personal experiences, share advice from medical professionals, and encourage anyone listening that they aren't alone and there is hope for healing. Links to sources cited in this podcast: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/coping-with-emotional-and-psychological-trauma.htm https://www.helpguide.org/meditations/mindful-breathing-meditation.htm https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/ptsd-symptoms-self-help-treatment.htm Photo credit: https://www.taylorraesphoto.com/

Some introductions are in order! We are Sarah & Marleny; listen as we introduce ourselves and make each other laugh, and discuss how our lives and faith journeys have led us to starting "Let There Be Light."

You can also learn what to expect in future episodes, including our series premiere on 9/2/2020!