Rereading Esther for Such a Time as This
The book of Esther takes place in modern-day Iran, and maybe that’s not a coincidence. The author takes us to the ancient city of Susa, and the book unfolds in a context of existential threat. As Carruthers notes, Esther is an intense narrative “in which a whole people’s existence is at stake.”1 If Carruthers’ statement…
The Forgotten Christian Scholar Who Brought Scripture to Millions of Indian Women
As we enter the second week of Women’s History Month, I want to take this time to reflect on Pandita Ramabai. She’s a fascinating figure and not nearly as well-known in Western theology as she should be. For much of Christian history, the names of great theologians have been overwhelmingly male and overwhelmingly Western. Yet,…
The Danger of Proof-Texting: Why the Bible Must be Read in Its Context
On an early Sunday morning, a small congregation gathered with guitars, raised hands, and a wooden box of copperhead snakes at the front of the sanctuary. As the pastor preached, he lifted a snake into the air. “They will pick up serpents,” he declared. Minutes later, chaos followed. There’s a bite, followed by more panic…
Kiah Wakefield 