Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog, page 18

What financial struggle taught me about faith

When I first converted, one thing I immediately noticed was how common it is for Christians to praise God for every good thing that happens in their lives, even if it happened as a result of human actions. God was praised for giving someone a job, even though they took the time to apply and … Continue reading What financial struggle taught me about faith

Grieving for Jewish relatives in an evangelical church

Josh took on the task of shopping for a new church during the summer I went back to Ohio to take care of Dad. One Sunday he sent me a text: This pastor is British and snarky. You’ll love this place! Well. How could I say no to that?
 When I returned to Colorado that … Continue reading Grieving for Jewish relatives in an evangelical church

Original sin vs. Original blessing

You would think that, in order to convert from one religion to another, one would have to be pretty damn certain about their new beliefs. And I was – I still am, for the most part. It’s the details that sometimes trip me up – are people born sinners? Will God eternally punish people who … Continue reading Original sin vs. Original blessing

Interview: Gutsy Christianity

Last week I had the privilege of being a guest on Gutsy Christianity, a radio show hosted by Rosa A. Hopkins. We discussed my memoir, Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter, what drew me to the Episcopal church, why I don’t identify as a Messianic Jew or “Jew for Jesus,” and how sometimes Christians misrepresent Jewish … Continue reading Interview: Gutsy Christianity

Podcast: A Jew and a Gentile walk into a bar…mitzvah

Last week I had a great discussion with A Jew and a Gentile Walk into a Bar Mitzvah on their podcast. As you can probably guess from the title, the show literally consists of a Jewish and gentile host whop regularly dissect various interfaith issues. On this episode, I discuss My book, Confessions of a … Continue reading Podcast: A Jew and a Gentile walk into a bar…mitzvah

We don’t need sanitized Scripture

You’ve probably seen it before: the Instagram photo of a Bible study, complete with a cup of coffee (maybe the mug has a Psalm or Proverb printed on it in swirly script) and open journal (the cover of which is probably embossed with something like “For I know the plans I have for you”). I … Continue reading We don’t need sanitized Scripture

Living in a gefilte fish bowl

I’ve joked before that few things make me feel more Jewish than being in church. People chuckle, but it’s true. Having that background, even if it’s no longer my religion, makes me stand out. It’s not like it’s a big secret, but when people find out, suddenly I’m a spectacle. My Christian friends in Campus … Continue reading Living in a gefilte fish bowl

The art of living with tension

You could say my future conversion to Christianity was set in stone when I had my Bat Mitzvah in a church. At the time, that was my only option—borrowing another religion’s sanctuary to celebrate my entrance into Jewish adulthood because there were no synagogues nearby. Just as there are “Christmas and Easter” Christians, my family … Continue reading The art of living with tension

Breaking the law for the sake of the gospel

While in prison for conspiring to assassinate Hitler, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote the following letter to a friend: What is bothering me incessantly is the question of what Christianity really is, or indeed who Christ really is, for us today. The … Continue reading →

From “too Jewish” to “too Christian”

On the first day of Sociology class my junior year of college, I arrived a few minutes early. Selecting a seat at the back of the auditorium, I quietly read my bible. Soon I was interrupted by a tap on … Continue reading →