How I used to interpret Deuteronomy 22:13-21, and how I explain it now (in fewer than 500 words)
Deuteronomy 22:13-21 is one of the scarier passages for impressionable young Christian women, as it seems to hold up pre-marital […]
The Bible
About that virginity test in Deuteronomy 22: it’s not what you think
There was some justifiable outrage recently when rapper T.I. said that he had a gynaecologist annually test that his daughter’s
About that virginity test in Deuteronomy 22: it’s not what you think Read Post »
Deuteronomy 22, Moonlight, Virginity in the Old Testament
Why do I care so much about Old Testament laws? (And the rape laws in particular)
The Old Testament laws on sex, adultery and rape, particularly those in Deuteronomy 22:13–29, are a sensitive topic to say
Why do I care so much about Old Testament laws? (And the rape laws in particular) Read Post »
Deuteronomy 22, Moonlight, My blogging, Rape in the Old Testament
Law not patriarchy: why submission isn’t the issue in Esther and Vashti’s stories
The story of Esther, a Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia and saved her people from annihilation, is loaded
Law not patriarchy: why submission isn’t the issue in Esther and Vashti’s stories Read Post »
Firelight, The Bible and other studies
Why do (some) evangelicals insist that all sex outside marriage is ‘sexual immorality’? Because it’s not in the Bible.
Note: I wrote this in 2019 because there was a debate at the time within Methodism. However, much of what
Handle with care: how to approach Mark 9:42-49
These are the very graphic verses where Jesus talks about … …(content warning!)… …cutting off your hand, plucking out your
Handle with care: how to approach Mark 9:42-49 Read Post »
Starlight, The Bible and hope
Let’s talk about sarx! When Paul criticised ‘the flesh’ he wasn’t being body-negative
(Photo credit: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash) I reckon one of the biggest chasms between Christian thought and sex-positive thinking
Let’s talk about sarx! When Paul criticised ‘the flesh’ he wasn’t being body-negative Read Post »
Sex (and divorce) in the New Testament, Sunlight
Remember that Deuteronomy 22 law where a girl marries her rapist? It’s not about marriage. Or sex.
Statue of Juliet, Verona. Photo by World of Magic on Unsplash. ‘Proud can I never be of what I
What exactly is a pledge? Exploring the types of commitment seen in the Bible
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about purity pledges. For the uninitiated, these are when Christian teenagers (both male and
What exactly is a pledge? Exploring the types of commitment seen in the Bible Read Post »
Sunlight, The Bible and other studies
Modesty 101: modesty is not about clothes, rather glory and context
So… the fabulous Sierra White has asked me to share some thoughts on modesty for her Facebook page Ezer Rising (and
Modesty 101: modesty is not about clothes, rather glory and context Read Post »
Sunlight, The Bible and other studies, The church and consent
Who breaks in and does the washing up? Strange stories and Easter
I got home tired. My temp job was uncomfortably far from where I lived, and I hated the travel. I
Who breaks in and does the washing up? Strange stories and Easter Read Post »
Sunlight, The Bible and hope
Revelation 22 for beginners (with illustrations from Harry Potter)
This is a study/sermon, aimed at Christians, to help make sense of Revelation 22, particularly verses 10 to 17. It
Revelation 22 for beginners (with illustrations from Harry Potter) Read Post »
Sunlight, The Bible and hope
Is the One True Love biblical? On hope, choice and responsibility
I was recently asked if the idea of ‘the One’ was biblical and I decided to blog about it as
Is the One True Love biblical? On hope, choice and responsibility Read Post »
Sunlight, The Bible and hope
Year of Hell, Remember Nothing, & The Wish: lessons on hope
Only hope that is robust enough to engage with the reality of death is worthy of the name. [1] I’ve
Year of Hell, Remember Nothing, & The Wish: lessons on hope Read Post »
Hope in the arts, Sunlight, The Bible and hope
The book of Esther: surprisingly political – a review of Esther in Ancient Jewish Thought by Aaron Koller
It’s no secret that the majority of named people in the Bible are men. As a woman brought up in
Ruth and Joseph: A closer look at love vs abuse
This post is a writer’s-commentary on a sketch I wrote, based on two Bible stories: Joseph and Potiphar’s wife in
Ruth and Joseph: A closer look at love vs abuse Read Post »
#churchtoo, Firelight, Rape in the Old Testament, The church and consent
Love vs Abuse: a drama sketch about Boaz and Ruth, Joseph and Potiphar’s wife
(Ruth chapter 3 in my pocket New Jerusalem Bible, published by Darton, Longman and Todd) This is a drama sketch
Love vs Abuse: a drama sketch about Boaz and Ruth, Joseph and Potiphar’s wife Read Post »
Consent in the arts, My creativity, Rape in the Old Testament, Starlight