Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog, page 14

Spinning Crap Into Fertilizer: cover reveal + foreword

I am thrilled to present to you the cover for my next book, Spinning Crap Into Fertilizer: How American Christianity has forgotten the necessity of suffering: When it comes to suffering, there are two kinds of people in this world… Those who say, “Crap happens,” and those who cry out, “Why is this crap happening… Continue reading Spinning Crap Into Fertilizer: cover reveal + foreword

Reflections on Confirmation Day

This is what I told my evangelical husband when he asked why it was important for me to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church: I wanted to be confirmed for the same reasons I wanted to get married rather than simply live together. I wanted my relationship to be “official”; I wanted to make communal… Continue reading Reflections on Confirmation Day

A Jew-ish perspective on the Eucharist

I should probably hand over my Protestant membership card (assuming I ever had one) for how much thought I’ve given to the Eucharist lately: just how essential is it to Christian worship? Is it the literal body and blood of Christ, or purely symbolic? Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre… Continue reading A Jew-ish perspective on the Eucharist

Why Rachel?

Note: I didn’t personally know Rachel Held Evans, and I am just one of many, many Christians and fledgling writers who benefitted from her work and the generosity of how she used her platform. Because I am currently writing a book about how American Christianity perceives suffering, I’m grappling with the question of “Why her?”… Continue reading Why Rachel?

I am both/and

Every time I hear about an act of anti-semitism, I can’t help feeling a conflict of loyalties. Do I mourn as a Christian, or as a Jew? Can I grieve as both? Is that possible? In college, some well-intentioned friends quoted Galatians 3:28 to me when I expressed uncertainty about where I belonged: “There is… Continue reading I am both/and

How essential is the resurrection?

I was tempted to make popcorn as I scrolled through intense Twitter debates over Easter weekend about whether it’s necessary to have a literal resurrection of Christ- and whether those who see it as metaphor “count” as Christians. I was under the impression that a literal resurrection was one of those “non-negotiables” when it comes… Continue reading How essential is the resurrection?

The trouble with Good Friday

The day of Easter is the culmination of the story of God’s plan for salvation — a reminder that death does not have the last word. But before Easter, a happy day is festivity, comes Good Friday: a day of darkness when Jesus was crucified, and the Jews were blamed for it. Good Friday is… Continue reading The trouble with Good Friday

American Christians and “Persecution Envy”

Some Christians complain about having to experience any discomfort at all. Others seem unable to get enough of it – or they’ve experienced so little genuine suffering that they have to create it. I can’t help but think of Kim Davis: the county clerk from Rowan County, Kentucky, who in 2015 refused to issue marriage… Continue reading American Christians and “Persecution Envy”

Who am I offending, and why?

I don’t consider myself a conservative or progressive Christian. I’m not sure what each label fully entails, but I do know I hold views that satisfy — and irritate — both groups. With that in mind, you can understand why it took me the entirety of my twenties to find the right denomination and church.… Continue reading Who am I offending, and why?

Inspiration for wealthy evangelicals (and no one else)

When I read my friend Neil’s blog post, The Christian Finish, I couldn’t help but think of “Christian Instagram culture” — the types of posts that feature open Bibles next to mugs of coffee (guilty), with a story of hardship and how God came through in the end. As you know, being an Episcopalian and… Continue reading Inspiration for wealthy evangelicals (and no one else)