Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News

by Elizabeth Geitz

"Fake News! That's Fake News!"

In a few short years, the phrase "Fake News" has earned a place in dictionaries, in national discourse, and in our daily lives. But Fake News is not new. Fake News began when people first interpreted the Bible to advance their own agenda. Commonly-held beliefs about what the Bible says regarding women, LGBTQ folks, slavery, immigrants, and Jews trumpets Fake News that is destroying people's lives.

What is the best way to counter Fake News? With the truth. To do so, Episcopal priest Elizabeth Geitz turns to the #1 bestselling book year after year--the Bible. Sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, and heterosexism are experiencing an alarming resurgence today. It is time for an accessible book that sets the record straight on what the Bible really says regarding the many "isms" affecting all of us. It is time for the Fake News about the Bible to come to a screeching halt.

The 101 eye-opening reflections in Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News are a call to action for people of different faiths or no faith at all. This a must-read for anyone exhausted by the daily barrage of Fake News who is seeking the relief of the authentic.

206 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2019

About the author

Elizabeth Geitz is an Episcopal priest, nonprofit entrepreneur, and award-winning author. With a focus on spirituality and justice issues, her writings speak to people of passion who want to make a difference in the world. Her books have been hailed by NY Times bestselling authors Desmond Tutu, Helen Prejean, and John Berendt.

In her newest book, Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News,"Elizabeth Geitz pulls no punches as she calls us to move beyond the many 'isms' that plague our culture today, to read the Scriptures with eyes wide open, and to commit ourselves again to loving all our neighbors with no exceptions." MICHAEL B. CURRY, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

Reviews

[Frazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is many things wrapped into one: guide to biblical exegesis, self-help manual in a world of fake news, with autobiographical insights of the author herself.

The aim is to debunk myths which accrued around the Bible and Christianity, with a careful and contextual reading of the texts themselves. I think Geitz does this pretty successfully. She uncovers passages which style the divine as female and mother, and the relatively unsung female heroes of the Bible, and highlights the importance of women in the New Testament. But she also tackles some of the thorny passages, and with as little manipulation as possible, reinterprets them as not as misogynistic/homophobic/racist as previously thought.

Now I broadly agree with Geitz and her way of reading the Bible. And I appreciate her 'updating' of a layman's guide to reading the Bible for the age of Trump etc. It's very valuable as a resource for spiritual meditation or Bible groups etc.

But I'm not sure this book would go very far to changing the minds of those whom it critiques, i.e. those who actually need to read this book: the people who are extremely learned biblical scholars and exegetes, and who STILL come down on the side of patriarchy, homophobia, dualism.

Geitz's rationale for her interpretation is basically that Bible has a couple of dominant themes. The key to the Old Testament is that the Creator is one of 'radically inclusive love who sides with the oppressed. Every other verse of Scripture must be interpreted in that light.' And the key for the NT is Jesus' message that 'No one is excluded. It really is that simple.'

Now as guides for life, I reckon you can't really go far wrong with these. But I was already inclined towards believing that everyone should be included, and that God is for the marginalised before I read this book. It's difficult to convince someone who believes otherwise that the whole of the Bible is really 'that simple'.

A lot hinges on her use of the NRSV, which crucially uses gender inclusive language. E.g. the translators render the Greek word 'adelphoi' as 'brothers and sisters', when it literally just means 'brothers'. This was quietly glossed over in her assessment of the translators of the NRSV as excellent and learned. (Which of course they are, but they also abided by certain editorial guidelines.)

Geitz didn't really address the fact that the Bible itself is a text which was created in a patriarchal environment. I think she wanted to argue that the Bible was written as a kind of document pure from patriarchal influence etc., but has subsequently fallen into chauvinist hands and been subject to mistreatment. I think Geitz would have done well to tackled how, accepting that the biblical books were also created in the context of patriarchy, we might extract the truly divine message from within.

Overall, though, this was a sensitively and at times provokingly written book. Would recommend to those starting out on their journey of faith, or who have trouble reconciling their 'secular' humanist values with the Christian faith.

p.s. My take away is that Jesus interprets the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah not to be its citizens' prurience but its inhospitality!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Fr. River]

There was an article in the Chronicle today about the 2016 election and how fake news may have shifted the election to the Republicans; there are fake news items about the deaths of famous people, slanderous items about famous people, and politicians , making Face book and other outlets not places to find real news.

Some surveys have shown that people who spend more than half their time on social media get depressed, ;not having physical human connection. When we examine ourselves, our expectations we find we can find friendship, and solace on our social media conversations, when it is combined with physical contact through the phone or in person. Like all relationships we have to put our hands to the plow, and work.

We receive an average of five times a month, comments saying, "You believe in Santa Claus, God does not exist." "People who are Christian, Muslim are responsible for all violence.' Those comments are fake news, for it is only in putting our efforts to grindstone, listening, praying, observing, that we find the realness of God.

Reverend Elizabeth Geitz in her Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News, introduces a quote by the Billy Graham Association:

"He (God) chose to present Himself with an emphasis on masculine qualities of fatherhood, protection, direction, strength, etc. Metaphors used to describe Him in in the Bible include: King, Father, Judge, Husband, Master, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

She proceeds to debunk this concept of God as being male, and moves from there to presenting the other aspects of God which is fake news dealing with Feminine Imagery, Sexism, Racism, Hetero sexism, Xenophobia, Women Leaders, Survival.

She leads us through a hundred and one devotions presenting God as the inclusive, non-sexist, non-violent, and all embracing God that she is.

As I pray through this book we leave each devotion with an up lifted heart, and a greater sense of the awareness of God, Divine Mother, and Divine Father. Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!

--------------------------------------------------

Father River Damien Sims, sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.

P.O. Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

415-305-2124

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do get confused by the various contradictory newscasts and social media postings I see. So Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News is a welcome antidote to some of the most common misperceptions of this era.

Elizabeth Geitz identifies errors of Biblical interpretation that undergird sexism, racism, heterosexism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia and counters them with accurate readings of scripture, plus inspirational stories and quotes.

The book weaves a positive tone by demonstrating the ability to survive in the age of fake news. The Epilogue contains principles of Biblical interpretation that assist in discerning truth, and the Reader’s Guide outlines how to use the book for individual reflection, in a book club or with a religious study group.

Anyone who spends some time with the 101 essays in this book will find themselves challenged, comforted and changed.

[Heather Barta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little gem of a book!
Geitz appropriates the “fake news” call and shows that it has been present throughout history. She walks us through biblical “fake news” in the ways that scholars and the hierarchy have presented Truth. She fights the fake news with Biblical truths. I appreciate the way she takes a Biblical passage and offers a reflection about the time frame in which it was written and how it has been twisted and is still in action today. Some of the quotes help us understand a broader understanding of God. Part of our incorrect reading of Biblical narratives comes from the way a passage has been twisted for a particular group’s need (usually power for white men). Or that group in power only shows us part of the passage which obscures some of the depth of the original meaning. Or, passages are simply not lifted out for reflection.

This last happens a lot when we talk about the feminine imagery of God. I especially appreciate that her first section is “Feminine Imagery of God.” “He” has won out as the pronoun used to refer to God and it always hurts my heart a little. Our patriarchal society has declared that males are the best and, therefore, God is “He”. There is much more to God than just a masculine aspect.

And she covers even more of the ‘isms’ that surround us and oppress us every day. This book would be great for personal or group use and can be read straight through or in sections as a person struggles for more understanding on a particular topic. The page-long reflections are great for a short devotional / reflection and help the reader think more deeply about their own beliefs and theology. Her examples show that we can always grow in our faith and thoughts and come to a more complete (though never completely complete) understanding of God.

[J Percell Lakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News by Elizabeth Geitz a week ago. The author speaks directly into the context of American culture by capitalizing on the concept of Fake News by alerting us to the fact that this idea of Fake News is not a new one. She makes it clear throughout the pages of her book that Fake News, especially in Christian circles, has been an ongoing issue due to people interpreting the Bible in ways that are rooted in cultural realities that have highjacked the Bible from being a source of liberation for all people.

The author shows how the bible has been selectively quoted to reinforce problematic and deeply dehumanizing ideas such as sexism, racism, ant-semitism, and xenophobia. I love the fact that she utilizes the same bible that’s used to perpetuate these ideas to show that, when taken as a whole, the Bible aims at liberating the imago dei that is present in all people. This is to show that the only way to counter Fake News is by re-engaging the text of Scripture and the person of Jesus in order to promote the kind of True News that can liberate us from the onslaught of Fake News.

**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Ben Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. So many deep dive questions that I will return to again and again. I especially enjoyed the section on Women Leaders. I was able to think and meditate on these glossed-over, often forgotten stories of female power. I’m especially grateful for the writing which gave me a short passage with mind probing questions at the end. This is a book for truth seekers.

[Charles Gambrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made a mistake – When I saw the title of this book, I thought it would be a frontal attack on all the politicians and political pundits who shout “Fake News!” at any idea they want to discredit and shout down without offering any evidence or rational justification to the contrary.

What I found was a wonderfully written, well reasoned and spiritually grounded book which walks us through a number of “-isms” and phobias that not only haunt our world and destroy people and relationships but have used misreadings and misunderstandings and downright perversions of scripture to do so.

Can I say “AMEN, Sister!”

The Rev. Elizabeth Geitz brings her skills at writing and biblical insight/proclamation to bear on sexism, racism, anti-semitism, xenophobia and heterosexism. Additionally, the 101 meditations in the book give well-founded insight into the use of feminine imagery in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures to describe God as well as a chapter on women leaders in the Bible.

I am aware that some will think any suggestion of “feminine imagery” for God is something out of “paganism” and/or new-ageism and will turn their backs on this book. That misunderstanding is unfortunate given Rev Geitz’s grounding of each meditation in Scripture. Each meditation begins with a brief Scripture passage and ends most often with questions or suggestions that help the reader to further engage the Scripture for themselves.

Rev Geitz has also done her readers a great service by offering a “Reader’s Guide” in this book. Many times a publisher will offer a study guide to a book in a separate volume at an additional price. Not so here. She offers suggestions on how the reader can sit with a meditation, savor it, and rather than just end with reading her words take it more deeply into their thoughts, prayers, and lives. She also addresses how the book might be approached in a book group or study group. On top of that she suggests, “For faith leaders of all traditions, the index in the back can be useful for sermon preparation.” If only so! Preachers – Are you listening?

This book offers 101 brief meditations thats lead one past “Fake News” built on misreadings of Scripture to liberating news that is redemptive and life-enriching. Too much praise? After having read this book, I don’t think so.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}
http://discipleswalk.org/spiritual-tr...

— —
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

#SpiritualTruthInTheAgeOfFakeNews

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really found this book to be a thought provoking journey of smart narratives and sound Biblical examination. Geitz's exposition on today's media/political biases set against the truths of the Bible helped me better understand many of today's "isms." The book is set up in sections with a number of stories and comments on each. It's put together so one can read a section and ponder. Share it with a Study group. Or use it as a teaching tool for adults.

Enjoy!

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quite approachable review of some well known and often misused passages in the Bible. Piece by piece Geitz highlights over-emphasized, under-emphasized, and misconstrued passages in the Bible to help illuminate a more fuller understanding of scripture, all while touching on historical and present day consequences of such misinterpretation.

[Keith Fulfer]

I had trouble reading this book. Not because I disagree with the author. I basically agree with her premises. I could not get motivated to read the sections. This is certainly not about the author or her use of words and word pictures. It is great to see someone who brings the feminine side of God out!

Perhaps because I have so much I want to read that is hard for me to read someone who says what I think. I also believe we need this voice in today's world. If you struggle with the concept of a genderless god then this is a good, even great book for inspiration. Elizabeth has a fresh approach to looking at so much of the Bible.

[Jonathan A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who is this book for? This is always an important question to ask when writing a book, article, or anything that you hope will be read and a helpful question to ask when consume a piece of literature. For whom is this book written. David Gushee wrote the book, Changing Our Minds as a persuasive work for evangelical Christians who may be ready to consider different ways to consider homosexuality. There are many other books about the relationship between homosexuality and Christianity that go much deeper that Gushee’s but they are intended to inform those who have already made up their mind and not those who are looking to change it. It is a book that I would recommend only to those who are moving from a position of harshly condemning homosexuality towards one of acceptance. It is important to have a sense of the audience that the author had in mind when writing the book.

This is a question that I held when reading Elizabeth Geitz’s book Spiritual Truth in the Age of Fake News. It is written as a collection of 101 daily devotionals arranged thematically but with a clear overreaching agenda. Geitz is trying to offer a liberated reading of scripture in the areas of sexuality, gender, leadership, race, ethnicity, and spirituality. She has an enemy, one that she is arguing against, who is again and again labeled as “fake news.” From reading the preface one gets the impression that Geitz is intending to open minds and to guide individuals to a different way of being Christian, yet I wonder if such a goal is achieved in her work.

I applaud the format. To offer thought-provoking devotionals that consider topics theological and current is a meaningful and good approach. The devotional formant, ending with questions, invites the reader into a space of growth. Geitz opens a door, describes the room, and then invites the reader to enter and dwell and be. This can be very meaningful and moving for the individual who is looking for a deeper connection with God around what are often seen as progressive topics.

Yet the format, while inviting and liberating in one sense is constricting in another. The page(ish) long devotionals can only offer so much, can only unpack a little of the complex ideas that Geitz is addressing, and what is missed is depth and nuance. Geitz speaks to the reality of systematic racism, but does not offer the depth that Michele Alexander’s The New Jim Crow does. Geitz speaks to sexism and to a different way of understanding God via the feminine, but cannot help to reconstruct a feminine theology that Ruther or Johnson does. This is the limitation of the format and a result of the choice Geitz made to embrace the devotional approach. There is not room for depth or nuance.

As an aside, I do wish Geitz spent more time unpacking the idea of “Fake News,” and what that means to her. With the cursory overview that Geitz offers in the Preface, I wonder if the title of the book and the constant attacks on “Fake News” will have relevance in 20 or 30 years. Geitz has created a straw-man for the book, and I would have liked a more robust consideration.

Who is this book for? A devotional book that takes a deliberate side, that invites questions and curiosity is a welcome one for those who already consider themselves progressive Christians. It may assure many of what they already believe, and it may also prod and push many to a deeper place of growth and questioning. It is a book that I would recommend to more progressive Christians. I would not recommend it to someone who is coming out of a more conservative camp for they may not yet be ready. The combative tone (while justified) throughout the book may lead to more polarization and separation in an already polarized context. But for those who are already walking in the theological arenas that Geitz finds herself and other progressive Christians in, this is a good devotional and guide in prayer and faith. This book is for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Little · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe a 2.5. This is a devotional book. If you're fully immersed in evangelical Christian culture, you're probably well aware of what that means, but for the uninitiated: the entire book is written in one-page sections, meant to be read individually, one per day, over an extended period of time. Each begins with a verse from the Bible, elaborates on the verse a bit, tells a brief story, and ends with something to think about.

I got a copy of this book through Speakeasy to review, which meant I committed to reading it all and writing a review within 30 days. Which is to say: I did not read this book in the way in which it was intended to be read. Some of my gripes with the book might be because I binge read it, so to speak. I didn't love the repeated "Fake News" and "True News" refrains, even though I understand that they emphasize Gietz's main point in the entire book, for example.

Geitz has an intersectional feminist perspective that's sorely missing from mainstream devotionals. If you're a progressive Christian looking for a devotional book, this fills that niche. I can't imagine a conservative Christian getting through more than a week's worth of readings, unless they're intentionally looking for something to challenge their perspective.

I disagreed with some of Gietz's exegesis, although for the most part, I felt she treated the scripture fairly and handled it with integrity, despite coming to different conclusions than I did about some passages.

The main problem I had with this book was that so many of the devotions seemed to start out in one place, meander through a story, and wind up somewhere else entirely. For example: One in the segment on race starts with Amos invoking "justice like mighty waters," progresses to MLK's dream speach and his assassination, tells a personal story about Gietz avoiding a volunteer commitment with African American adult students, and ends with wealth disparity between African American and white American households. One could certainly make a connection between that wealth disparity, economic justice, and Amos, but Gietz doesn't do that. And many of the devotions do the same thing: hitting some good points, but not connecting the dots to make the entire devotion a coherent whole.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through the Speakeasy book review network in exchange for my honest review. #SpiritualTruthInTheAgeOfFakeNews