In 'Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint,' Nadia Bolz-Weber chronicles her life from being a stand-up comedian to becoming a pastor. The book is a candid and humorous narrative that explores her struggles with faith, addiction, and her role in the church. Bolz-Weber reclaims the term 'pastrix,' which some Christians use derisively to refer to female pastors, and shares her experiences with a community of misfits, including alcoholics, depressives, and cynics. Her story emphasizes the transformative power of grace and challenges traditional representations of faith, offering a refreshing perspective on what it means to walk alongside others in their struggles.
In 'Accidental Saints,' Nadia Bolz-Weber shares stories from her life as a pastor, detailing her encounters with grace through the lives of people who might be considered 'wrong' or unconventional. The book is characterized by Bolz-Weber's confessional style, where she candidly discusses her own mistakes and shortcomings, as well as those of the people around her. It emphasizes the idea that God uses broken people to do His work and that grace can be found in the most unexpected places. The stories are often funny, sometimes tragic, but always vulnerable and true, reflecting Bolz-Weber's unique blend of humor, intelligence, and theological insight.
Joshua Harris's "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" promoted abstinence and a specific approach to relationships, significantly influencing evangelical culture. The book's teachings on dating, courtship, and premarital sex had a profound impact on many young people. However, years later, Harris publicly apologized for the harm caused by his book's rigid and often damaging advice. His apology highlighted the unintended consequences of his teachings and the need for a more nuanced and compassionate approach to relationships and sexuality. The book remains a significant example of the influence of religious texts on personal choices and the potential for such influence to be both positive and negative.
Today we continue my exploration of faith with one of the most fascinating spiritual leaders in America today — a Lutheran pastor and public theologian dedicated to redefining how we think about church, practice religion, ritualize divinity, and cultivate community.
But her latest concentration, and the focus of today's conversation, is reforming religion's antiquated, sexist ideas about sex, gender and our bodies – and all the pain, guilt and shame they provoke — to reclaim our sexuality and boldly begin anew.
You see, Nadia Bolz-Weber is no ordinary pastor.
Standing six-foot-one, this heavily tattooed former drug addict rocks the collar with bright red lipstick, fancies serious custom-made jewelry (her rings and belt buckles are off the hook) and swears like a sailor. Confusing matters more, she's also very much a traditionalist – a fearless and deeply reverent pastor for America's outsiders with intrepid beliefs about what “church” can and should be for the seekers among us.
For eleven years, Nadia served as the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, a colorful and eclectic, all-comers welcome congregation she started in 2007 with just eight members in her living room in Denver.
She is also a three-time New York Times bestselling author. Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint*, is her prayer-and-profanity laden narrative about an unconventional life of faith. Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People* recounts her religious but not-so-spiritual path and perspective. Her newest book, Shameless A Sexual Reformation*, unleashes her critical eye, her sharp pen, and her vulnerable but hopeful soul on the caustic, fear-riddled, and religiously inspired messages about sex that have fed our shame.
I first laid eyes on Nadia when she took the stage at The Nantucket Project to interview Lance Armstrong. Her opening line? “So, I see from my notes that you took some drugs you weren't supposed to and then you lied about it? OMG. I did that shit SO MANY TIMES!”
The crowd erupted. Instantly, I was hooked.
Later that same weekend I witnessed Nadia deliver a sermon unlike anything I had ever experienced in church or otherwise. Wrapt by her charisma and compelled by her unapologetically honest message, I knew immediately I had to get her on the podcast.
Growing up fundamentalist, at 12 she was diagnosed with Graves' disease, a thyroid-related autoimmune disorder that caused her eyes to literally bug out of their sockets. Socially ostracized, rage and cynicism led a descent into drugs and alcohol. In 1991, a 12-step program ultimately lit her path back to faith — and the church she ultimately founded to create a home for those who have never felt home.
Today we explore Nadia's amazing story.
Enjoy!
Rich
The Rich Roll Podcast 
