She curses like a trucker and is covered in tattoos — not your typical Christian cover-girl – but I’m telling you, her story and her faith are inspiring. I LOVE the book Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Do yourself a favor and read it. I have never laughed so hard while learning so much.
This book is funny and irreverent and shockingly honest. I consider myself a very honest, sometimes crude, person (have had to learn to filter through the years), but my jaw dropped so many times – -in surprise, in amazement, in pure joy — at the honesty of this author. It was so refreshing to read something this raw and real. She brings joy and discomfort, inspiration and new insights all at once. . . what a gift!
In some ways I can’t relate to her story – former comedian (thus the sarcastic sense of humor) on a self-destructive track of alcoholism and addiction who didn’t want anything to do with God or the church. But in other ways, I could completely relate to her, with her search to find authentic faith, her frustrations with Christians and the church, her frustrations with herself. When she said “God, please help me not to be an asshole, is about as common a prayer as I pray in my life,” I could totally relate and felt like someone was speaking my language (although I don’t curse too much – it doesn’t sound cool when I do it. Kind of like the kid who wastes your cigarette pretending to smoke –I just can’t pull it off).
Many of you who read my blog (thank you, by the way, for reading all my nonsense!) are conservative and might have a little trouble getting past a few obstacles that could keep you from enjoying this book (the tattoos, the language, the fact that she is a female Lutheran pastor, that she is a liberal Christian who embraces and loves people that are considered outcasts by others), so I had my conservative little Mama read this book. She really enjoyed it and learned a lot, so I felt comfortable passing along this recommendation. If my Mom (Gilda Riddle – many of you know her) who thinks “fart” is a bad word can read and enjoy this book, then you can too. My Dad also loved the book. I actually called him before I was finished with the first chapter to tell him to download it so we could read and discuss it together. We have a little mini book club going on, and I’m so grateful he is willing to discuss things with me.
Because Nadia Bolz-Weber is unconventional, her views and interpretations of scripture are fresh and unconventional as well. If you are not tempted to read it for yourself, then read it for the person in your life who is disillusioned with God and the church, for the person in your life who has struggled with addiction, for the liberal Christian in your life that you don’t understand, for the person in your life who has been hurt by Christians. I am thrilled to have a book that I can give these people in my life. Maybe the voice of this passionate, foul-mouthed, edgy Christian can speak into their lives and help them experience the grace of God in ways no one else can.
Pastrix is a beautiful reminder of the presence of God, even when we don’t recognize it or even want it. It’s a reminder of the incredible love and grace of God. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to have all the answers or understand the mystery of God to experience His presence and peace. Nadia Bolz-Weber says, “We want to go to God for answers, but sometimes what we get is God’s presence.” This book helped me see and feel God’s presence in a new way. I’m so grateful to this cranky sarcastic Lutheran for sharing her story.
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I’m going to get this book. This author sounds a little like Annie Lamont. I imagine you have read her?
She is a lot like Anne Lamott – I love her writing (Traveling Mercies is still my favorite). But I think Nadia Bolz-Weber is like Anne Lamott on steroids – she takes it to the next level and is less “poetic” than Lamott. I think you’ll like her. I just finished a book by Lamott called “Stitches” and it was really beautiful. She seems to be mellowing with age because she barely cursed at all in the most recent book – ha!