Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog, page 16

When to end a friendship over politics

Would your family have hidden mine from the Nazis? I kid you not, I asked this question of my friends when I was a child. It was the ultimate gauge to see if they were truly good people (thankfully, they all said yes, they would have hidden me, but many of them didn’t even know … Continue reading When to end a friendship over politics

What Jesus might have meant by “the way to life is narrow”

Is Jesus Christ the only way to heaven? I struggle a lot with this question- I know many Christians do. It’s a particularly nasty struggle for me, because if the answer is yes, that means everyone in my family is going, or has gone, to the dark place. I wrestle with God quite a bit … Continue reading What Jesus might have meant by “the way to life is narrow”

Christians: let the Jews speak

Being misunderstood sucks. I’m not a big people-pleaser by nature, but it does bother me when I’m disliked for the wrong reasons. This doesn’t happen too often, but the following scenario has happened to me more than once: New Jewish acquaintance: “So you grew up Reform, but then converted?” Me: “Basically, yeah.” Them: “So you’re … Continue reading Christians: let the Jews speak

Christians, it’s time to take a seat

Being misunderstood sucks. I’m not a big people-pleaser by nature, but it does bother me when I’m disliked for the wrong reasons. This doesn’t happen too often, but the following scenario has happened to me more than once: New Jewish acquaintance: “So you grew up Reform, but then converted?” Me: “Basically, yeah.” Them: “So you’re … Continue reading Christians, it’s time to take a seat

“True Christians” and harmful politics

I remember, in my early days of faith, being consumed with the question of whether I was a “real” Christian. Sure, I had prayed the Sinner’s Prayer and all, but what if my “walk” didn’t match my talk? What if I was lukewarm? What if my actions caused more people to “backslide” than convert? This … Continue reading “True Christians” and harmful politics

Potiphar’s wife and #MeToo

After my Episcopal church service I went to my husband’s evangelical church to wait for him in the cafe like I usually do. When I stepped out to use the restroom, I heard the sermon topic introduced. It was about Potiphar’s wife. The one who falsely accused Joseph of rape. THIS weekend of all weekends. … Continue reading Potiphar’s wife and #MeToo

When I can’t believe in the Church

Every now and then, when my doubts start to gang up on me, I skim through Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter to be reminded, Oh, this is why I chose Christianity. These are the reasons I’m still here. I stand by those reasons. My faith is generally strengthened by hardship, because it’s when I lean … Continue reading When I can’t believe in the Church

Yom Kippur and #MeToo

I never liked Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, growing up. Jewish holidays can best be summarized as “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat,” and thus tend to be joyful occasions, but not this one. It’s a somber day of reflecting on our sins and making amends with the people we’ve hurt. … Continue reading Yom Kippur and #MeToo

What is my “ministry”?

This post originally appeared on Tim Fall’s blog. Some people have a clear idea of how God will “use” them, especially if they came to faith from a struggle like drinking, drugs, or some kind of abuse. They know exactly who their audience is. The words come naturally and with ease. I follow lots of … Continue reading What is my “ministry”?

The Social Justice Statement is an affront to black, Jewish Jesus

The Social Justice Statement, a document composed by prominent white evangelical men, claims that caring for minorities somehow compromises the gospel. It denies any culpability in systemic racism, and any responsibility for how anti-gay and anti-woman rhetoric causes harm. None of this is surprising. In fact, it fits rather well in an era in which … Continue reading The Social Justice Statement is an affront to black, Jewish Jesus