Most of my twenties were spent immersed in Progressive Christianity, although I wouldn’t have called it that at the time. I would have explained that I was going through a season of heavy doubts and questioning, which happens to most Christians at some point. If there is any dogma I picked up in progressive Christianity,… Continue reading What was missing from my progressive theology
Tag: Jewish converts to Christianity
What Mary offers grieving mothers
For most of my Christian life, Holy Week and Good Friday have been emotionally difficult. It’s a season that brings up old memories of being called a “Christ killer” by the mother of a childhood friend. Hearing Gospel passages of the Jewish people demanding Christ’s death has always made me extremely uncomfortable. That’s still the… Continue reading What Mary offers grieving mothers
Let’s Talk: a Rabbi Speaks to Christians (a review)
I’m a sucker for books about interfaith dialogue between Jews and Christians, but almost always left feeling disappointed and even frustrated by them. It’s not that I don’t believe productive conversations are possible – they are! I still have them regularly with Jewish friends. But when the goal is unity rather than education, Christian doctrine… Continue reading Let’s Talk: a Rabbi Speaks to Christians (a review)
Should Christians celebrate Hanukkah?
If you’re familiar with my stance on Christians celebrating Passover, then you can guess my feelings about Christians observing Hanukkah. In a recent article for Christianity Today, Maria Baer profiles a Messianic Jewish family who observes the feast of Hanukkah as a reminder of God’s promise to preserve the Jewish people. While I take some… Continue reading Should Christians celebrate Hanukkah?
Rosaries and ugly sweaters
I’ve been making jewelry for years, but just recently started making rosaries: a practice that began in Covid lockdown, when I had an abundance of beads and little to do. As a Catholic-flavored Anglican, the rosary is a helpful visual for me during times of quiet prayer. I grew up in a home with mezuzahs:… Continue reading Rosaries and ugly sweaters
Does Galatians 3:28 teach “Jewish erasure”?
I’ve been rereading Amy-Jill Levine’s book, The Misunderstood Jew. Levine’s work captivates me because she’s an Orthodox Jew who teaches the New Testament at Vanderbilt University. That makes her perspective unique in a world where Jesus’ Jewish background is often forgotten or ignored. While I don’t always agree with her views, Levine’s work is the… Continue reading Does Galatians 3:28 teach “Jewish erasure”?
What Jesus taught me about trauma
“If you’re still dealing with trauma and depression, what does that say about Jesus?” This was said to me by a colleague in one of my seminary classes – a counseling seminary class. That was ten years ago, and I still think about it. Unfortunately, it’s not an isolated opinion. I’ve encountered many Christians who… Continue reading What Jesus taught me about trauma
Rethinking sex, celibacy, and abundant life
I’m currently reading The Thrill of the Chaste by Dawn Eden. I read it before when it was first published in 2007, but this is an updated edition in which Eden, who was born Jewish, describes more of her journey to becoming Catholic. I’m naturally a sucker for these stories, so I had to buy… Continue reading Rethinking sex, celibacy, and abundant life
From Deconstruction to Reconstruction: a story of doubt to faith
I became a Christian in the fall of 2008, after growing up in a liberal Jewish household. You would think that someone who made such an extreme conversion would have a great deal of certainty about her faith. But from about 2013 to 2017, I was basically an agnostic. I believed in God, but didn’t… Continue reading From Deconstruction to Reconstruction: a story of doubt to faith
How to love your hostage neighbor
You may have seen the viral video of a group of Christians singing worship songs on an airplane. While some people are criticizing those who were offended, the Jewish side of me raises an eyebrow at the whole thing. That's because I know how it would have affected me if I were on that plane… Continue reading How to love your hostage neighbor