Show Notes
This week, Michelle explored a deeply thought-provoking topic that challenged many conventional beliefs tied to goodness and godliness. She discussed the pressures and expectations placed on families and individuals within religious communities.
During the episode, Michelle questioned what happens when someone within a family or community does not fit the expected mold, using the example of a daughter marrying someone who doesn't align with the prescribed expectations. This led to a broader discussion about the role of friends, our own silence in uncomfortable situations, and the consequences of creating an environment that privileges certain choices over others.
The episode covered the dangers of overemphasizing labels and conformity within Christianity, where non-conformity can lead to the marginalization and exclusion of those deemed "less godly" or "less good." These harmful mindsets can hinder the central message of love, grace, and forgiveness that Christ taught.
Michelle gave nine factors that identify fundamentalism in conservative Christianity and then explained how that ties to this goodness gospel we accidentally share.
If you missed the list of nine factors the identify fundamentalism or the eight tips for how to transform our mindset, those will be available in a printable sheet to Patreon members of Life Repurposed Plus.
Instead of judgment and exclusion, the episode encourages humility, empathy, and understanding. We explore the importance of creating safe spaces where people can share their vulnerabilities without fear of judgment. True Christian faith calls us to model humility and vulnerability, fostering authentic relationships with God and others.
Michelle also provided eight tips for how we can transform our mindset and speech to be something that promotes the grace of the gospel rather than the false gospel of performance or goodness.
By shifting our focus from judgment to understanding, from exclusion to inclusion, and by embracing the power of God's unconditional love, we can break free from the harmful equation of godliness and goodness. This emphasis on grace-centered gospel leads to a repurposed life, one where authenticity and love guide our interactions.
As we navigate our faith journeys, may we remember that no one is without flaws and imperfections, and it is through acknowledging our own shortcomings that we can fully comprehend the depth of God's grace and mercy.
Resources
A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing
Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer (father/daughter team)
The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth
Beth Allison Barr
Mentions:
Renewed: A 6-Week Personal or Small Group Study (REMADE) (Michelle’s Bible study)
From Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness Gospel (Christine Hoover)
