Liz Charlotte Grant (link) joins Nate and Shelby Hanson in Part 2 of her interview, challenging conventional views of God, scripture, and inspiration. In this episode, Liz dives into the role of patriarchy in shaping religious beliefs and practices, questioning how deeply traditional perspectives on God as a male figure have influenced both ancient and modern faith communities. Through stories and interpretations from sources like Jewish mystics and Kabbalah, she shares how reimagining God’s character can break down gendered hierarchies that persist in many churches today.

The conversation also explores what it means for the Bible to be “inspired” and how beliefs about biblical authority influence our approach to faith and spirituality. Liz sheds light on the nuances of biblical inspiration, unpacking her journey from a literalist perspective to one that embraces the Bible’s complexity. She and the hosts discuss how her evolving faith informs her reading of Genesis, using it as a foundation to seek deeper connections with God, even after losing faith in the traditional Bible.

With Shelby and Nate, Liz grapples with questions that challenge both listeners and Christians to confront their own beliefs about gender, authority, and divine inspiration. Don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation for insights that invite you to think differently about faith’s most foundational texts.

Takeaways:

• Exploring God beyond traditional male imagery.
• Patriarchy’s role in shaping religious beliefs.
• The tension between evangelicalism and egalitarianism.
• Impact of therapy and critical thinking on faith.
• Exploring heretical interpretations, like Kabbalah.
• Re-examining scriptural inspiration.
• Questioning biblical literalism and inerrancy.
• Insights from the mystics and ancient stories.
• How church practices shape views of authority.
• Liz’s rethinking of Genesis with a modern lens.

After Show