Rachel Held Evans

Beloved Christian author Rachel Held Evans is remembered in this podcast through never-before-heard audio from 2011. Topics include the changes in the church and world, the impact of political and cultural upheavals, and reflections from friends like Nadia Bolz-Weber.

In this preview clip, Rachel Held Evans and Tripp discuss topics such as gay affirmation, fundamentalism, poverty, and socioeconomics. They explore the challenges of being labeled or excluded based on one's opinions and the importance of embracing different perspectives. The chapter also delves into the difficulties of openly expressing personal thoughts, especially when they differ from societal norms, and the reluctance of publishers to publish books with open and affirming stances.

Here we are in a religiously-infused season — and in a world in which more and more of us experience ourselves to be religious nomads, misfits, even refugees. This deep reality of our life together is often simplified in analyses of the decline of traditional religious identity, of the rise of the spiritual-but-not-religious. Yet there is abundantly, alongside all of that, a rising theological and liturgical searching, a passionate calling towards service that echoes the heart of the great traditions. This is nowhere more true than around the boundaries of Christianity. And no person has given more winsome voice to it than Rachel Held Evans, who died suddenly at the age of 37 in 2019. Now her dear friend, journalist and preacher Jeff Chu, has midwifed her unfinished last book, Wholehearted Faith, into the world. He’s Krista’s wonderful conversation partner this hour — articulating a spacious understanding of God and grief, searching and belonging, for this changed world Rachel did not live to see, but speaks to still.Jeff Chu describes himself as a “writer, reporter, pretend farmer, co-host, preacher, teacher.” He is co-curator of the Evolving Faith conference, alongside Sarah Bessey, who founded the gathering with Rachel Held Evans. He has written for an eclectic range of publications including Fast Company, Time Magazine and Modern Farmer, and is a teacher in residence at Crosspointe Church in Cary, North Carolina. He’s the author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America and completed the late Rachel Held Evans’ unfinished work, Wholehearted Faith.This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the On Being episode "Jeff Chu: A Life of Holy Curiosity — In Friendship with Rachel Held Evans." Find the transcript for that show at onbeing.org.

In this lively debate, Greg Boyd, a leading open theism advocate, engages with Tripp from #teamprocess, moderated by writer Rachel Held Evans and theologian Tony Jones. They dive deep into the nuances of divine foreknowledge versus human freedom, laughing and sharing anecdotes along the way. The discussion also touches on the relational aspects of theology, addressing the nature of God, suffering, and the implications for faith. It all culminates in a spirited preach-off that you won't want to miss!

Rachel Held Evans, a progressive Christian author and blogger, shares insights from her book 'Searching for Sunday.' The conversation dives into faith and community beyond traditional church walls, discussing personal journeys and alternative expressions of worship. They explore the meaning of sacraments, the dynamics of small versus mega churches, and the complexities of critiquing faith communities while maintaining humility. With humor and candor, they reflect on the challenges of seeking belonging and the transformative journey from doubt to belief.