What if the perfect family doesn’t exist—and never was supposed to? Theologian Emily McGowin, PhD, joins Amy Julia Becker to explore family life in America and what the Bible really says (and doesn’t say) about family life. They discuss:

the idealized version of the American family
the misconceptions surrounding a biblical blueprint for family
creating a home centered on love, not expectations
apprenticing ourselves to love through daily household practices

___

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God by Emily Hunter McGowin, PhD
Amy Julia's episode with Matthew Mooney about families, disability, suffering, and "the good life'
Small Talk: Learning from my Children about What Matters Most by Amy Julia Becker

__

WATCH this conversation on YouTube by clicking here. READ the full transcript and access detailed show notes by clicking here or visiting amyjuliabecker.com/podcast.

_

ABOUT:

Emily Hunter McGowin (PhD, University of Dayton) is associate professor of theology at Wheaton College. She is the author of Quivering Families and Christmas, and coeditor of God and Wonder. Her articles have appeared in Christianity Today and The Week. She is a priest and canon theologian in the Anglican diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. She and her husband, Ron, also a priest, live in Chicagoland with their three children. Follow her on Twitter: @EmilyMcgowin and visit her website at: emilymcgowin.com.

___

Let’s stay in touch. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive weekly reflections that challenge assumptions about the good life, proclaim the inherent belovedness of every human being, and envision a world of belonging where everyone matters.

We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!

Connect with me:

Thanks for listening!

The Myth of the Perfect Family—and the Truth of Love with Emily Hunter McGowin, PhD