On today's episode, Ashley completes her 4 part series on Christena Cleveland's  essential book "God is a Black Woman." In this episode Ashley talks about evangelicalism's tiny terrifying circle of acceptability, Tim Wise's book "Between Barack and a Hard Place" and how white women use their femininity to silence the needs and concerns of black women.

This podcast is in no way a replacement for purchasing Cleveland's book and reading it yourself. Ashley believes Cleveland's book is essential reading for anyone deconstructing toxic evangelical theology. 

For more on Christena's work you can find her at christenacleveland.com

In today's episode, Ashley continues her series on examining key concepts in Dr. Christena Cleveland's new book "God is a Black Woman." Be sure to purchase a copy of her book and to support Dr. Cleveland work by visiting her website: https://www.christenacleveland.com/

In this episode, Ashley unpacks what Cleveland describes as the "beauty shame game" of white supremacy and the whitemalegod.  In efforts to be free from the beauty shame game, Cleveland had to change her belief system about her body and her blackness. She wrote many affirmations to provide for herself a liberating mindset. 

We should all affirm Cleveland's life-giving creed:

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who loves my Blackness.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who listens to, values and validates my Experiences as a Black woman.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who is fiercely nurturing.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who is engaging and relatable.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who is a giver of joy!

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who demands nothing from me, yet freely offers every spiritual treasure to me.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who embraces my emotions no matter how loud they are.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who honors my process no matter how messy it may seem.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who loves all my body sizes.

-        I am worthy of a Higher Power who rejoices in my imperfections.

In this episode, Ashley also talks about Marabel Morgan, author of "The Total Woman." To watch the full special report that Ashley features in this episode, click here.

Ashley Lynn Hengst is the proud host of the Unlearning Podcast. To connect with Ashley, you can find her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or you can visit her website at ashleylhengs.com

In today's episode, Ashley continues her series on examining key concepts in Dr. Christena Cleveland's new book "God is a Black Woman." Be sure to purchase a copy of her book and to support Dr. Cleveland work by visiting her website: https://www.christenacleveland.com/

According to Dr. Cleveland, the whitemalegod of the evangelical Church has "adopted toxic masculinity’s idols of knowledge: logic, reason, tradition, certainty, and consensus."  But when we see God as a Black Woman, we are invited to reject these idols and to trust our intuition. With God as a Black Woman we are encouraged to be open to the beauty and mystery of life.

Instead of asking ourselves, “What can I prove? What is orthodox? What can be substantiated by history or scripture?"
 
We should ask:

What nurtures hope in my Black female embodied soul? 

What gives life to my Black female embodied soul?

What heals my Black female embodied soul?

What liberates my Black female embodied soul?

What helps my Black female embodied soul love itself and others well?

Ashley Lynn Hengst is the proud host of the Unlearning Podcast. To connect with Ashley, you can find her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or you can visit her website at ashleylhengs.com

One of the best ways to maintain that healthy understanding of God is to understand God as a Black woman, who, as Christena Cleveland powerfully explains: "declares that all living beings are sacred. She is the God who smashes white patriarchy and empowers us to join in her liberating work. She is the God who has a special love for the most marginalized because she too has known marginalization. She is the God who cherishes our humanity and welcomes our fears, vulnerabilities and imperfections.”

What a wonderful, healthy vision of God.

In this new series, we will be exploring the womanist theology of Christena Cleveland in her book "God is a Black Woman." You can find her book wherever books are sold and you can connect with Cleveland on Instagram @christenacleveland and on her website at https://www.christenacleveland.com/

This podcast is written and produced by Ashley Lynn Hengst. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:52. 

In today's episode, Ashley walks us through two moments in the life of young Jesus. She also unpacks Luke 2:52 and offers a new way of looking at "spiritual disciplines."

You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst and through her website at ashleylhengst.com

In today's podcast, Ashley talks about the beauty of Holy Week and the hope of Easter. She walks us through the traditional theology of substitutionary atonement and offers another way to think about the cross of Christ. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or reach out through her website at ashleylhengst.com

To check out Pastor Jerrell's church visit https://christchapel.com/

On today's episode, Ashley reviews the new documentary "Hillsong: Megachurch Exposed" (2022), a three part documentary on the scandals and cover ups of the Hillsong megachurch empire. In this episode, Ashley mentions this New York Times article on how the recent scandals have affected the American Hillsong church plants.

You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or visit her website at ashleylhengst.com. She always enjoys hearing from you.

This week, I have the privilege of interviewing pastor Aaron Van Voorhis of Central Avenue Church in Glendale, CA. To learn more about Aaron's ministry, you can visit Central, listen to "The Central Cast" podcast and check out his book "A Survival Guide for Heretics."

In today's episode, Ashley unpacks theological gems within what we call "the infancy narratives." She explores the similarities between the nativities of John the Baptist and Jesus and deconstructs how we understand sexuality among the elderly and with the "virgin" Mary. 

The phrase "creed behind all creeds" comes from the theological work of Fred B. Craddock. Craddock was a Disciples of Christ minister, a professor and progressive theologian with compelling and liberating understanding of Scripture.

Connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst and on her website at ashleylhengst.com

On today's episode, Ashley begins her series on the Gospel of Luke and talks about the composition of the gospel itself. She discusses the "Two Source Hypothesis" and how the ethnicity of Luke influences certain themes in his gospel. This will be a wonderful series for anyone who has been hurt by the use of Scripture as a sacred weapon.

You can contribute to Ashley's St. Baldrick's fundraiser or connect with Ashley on Instagram or Twitter at ashleylhengst.com