Reading the Bible as a Survivor [Episode 313]

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In this thought-provoking episode of the Flying Free Podcast, I sit down with author and essayist Liz Charlotte Grant to explore the complexities of faith, scripture, and healing after spiritual trauma. Liz’s debut book, Knock at the Sky, delves into the questions many of us grapple with during deconstruction and offers an artistic, fresh approach to reading the Bible.

If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by literal interpretations of scripture or struggled to reconcile the Bible with the harm inflicted by its misuse, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Faith as a Journey, Not a Destination
    • Liz encourages listeners to embrace uncertainty and approach the Bible with curiosity rather than fear.
    • Faith isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about walking into the unknown with Jesus as your anchor.
  2. Permission to Wrestle and Question
    • Deconstruction doesn’t signal a loss of faith but rather an act of trust. Asking questions shows a desire for authenticity in our relationship with God.
  3. Survivor-Centric Bible Reading
    • Survivors of spiritual abuse can reclaim agency by approaching scripture in ways that feel safe and healing. It’s okay to prioritize certain passages while setting others aside.
  4. Diverse Perspectives Enrich Understanding
    • Liz emphasizes the value of exploring interpretations from scholars across cultures and disciplines to deepen our understanding of scripture.

Related Resources: 

Liz Charlotte Grant is an award-winning essayist whose first book, Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible, released in January 2025. She explores a wide range of ideas in her writing, including exploring the heartbreak of Elisabeth Elliot’s third marriage, her own surprise disability, and the discovery of dark matter.

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"I am FOREVER grateful for Natalie's wisdom. I so appreciate that she completely understands the evangelical faith community lense that I am coming from and speaks from a place of 'getting it' and getting out of what was an abusive marriage. I LOVE all the stories of women she shares and the incredible teaching she offers and brings to the table through others as well. I have learned so much about a variety of topics. I love to read and she discusses so many helpful books and brings on authors and teachers and it has been such a gift to me as I am waking up."
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  • Avatar
    Connie
    February 5, 2025

    Abraham and Isaac. How about: Abraham came straight out of paganism where the gods were always demanding human sacrifice, especially first-borns. As Isaac is growing, Abe is trying to learn about this new God, constantly waiting for the axe to fall: When is He going to take my Isaac? This terror consumes them. God not only wants to relieve their fears, but also teach the generations to come that He is not like those Gods, in fact, He’s also preparing them to understand Jesus.

    Just a thought.