Liz Charlotte Grant | Reclaiming Scripture After Evangelical Upbringing

Join Kate and Liz Charlotte Grant as they explore how to approach Scripture when traditional, literal interpretations no longer serve believers who are deconstructing or reframing their faith. Grant shares her journey of finding new ways to engage with biblical texts through literary analysis, diverse commentators, and interdisciplinary connections.

Liz Charlotte Grant is an award-winning essayist, author of the Empathy List substack, and her debut book, a personal, interdisciplinary commentary on the book of Genesis, Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible is available now.

Topics Covered:

* How traditional methods of reading the Bible, especially within White American Evangelicalism, have been limiting and sometimes harmful, and why new approaches are needed for those reframing their faith

* The importance of diverse voices in biblical interpretation, particularly from women, people of color, and other historically excluded groups who offer fresh perspectives beyond the dominant white male theological tradition

* Grant's creative approach to Genesis through interdisciplinary connections—linking biblical stories to art, science, and literature to illuminate scripture in new ways

* The distinction between factual accuracy and deeper truth in scripture, and why approaching the Bible through a literary lens can reveal profound insights without requiring historical literalism

* Practical advice for those wanting to re-engage with the Bible after deconstruction, including starting with commentaries, trusting your own reading, and creating a diverse "table" of interpretive voices

Grant's book uses creative writing and non-traditional sources to approach Genesis with fresh eyes, demonstrating how scripture can remain meaningful even after one's relationship with the Bible has fundamentally changed.

Timestamps:

01:12 Reframing Faith and Reading the Bible

01:49 Challenges of Traditional Biblical Interpretation

04:43 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives

10:18 Creative and Literary Approaches to the Bible

11:19 Truth vs. Historicity in Biblical Texts

17:12 Why Return to the Bible?

18:06 The Making of the Bible: A Complex Process

19:57 The Sinai Sisters: Manuscript Hunters

23:19 Catherine Bushnell: A Pioneer for Women in the Bible

26:41 Judith Butler: An Artist's Voice

32:24 Reengaging with the Bible: Tools and Tips

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