Description: The first book to center the voices of sexual abuse survivors while rethinking key Christian beliefs. Readers will discover new ways of thinking about God that are surprising, challenging, inspiring, and empowering, leading to deep healing for individuals and a transformed church that no longer contributes to the devastation of sexual abuse.
Brief description:
Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion and author or editor of numerous books, most recently Spirit Life; Invisible; and Intersectional Theology. She has served on the American Academy of Religion's board of directors, is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and is the host of the Madang podcast from The Christian Century. Kim writes for Good Faith Media, Baptist News Global, Sojourners, and Faith and Leadership and has published in TIME, The Huffington Post, The Christian Century, US Catholic Magazine, and The Nation.
Review Quotes:
"Drawn from personal experiences and survivor narratives, the authors' insightful exploration extends compassion to aid in the journey toward healing. They interpret the Bible through an intersectional lens, offering solace and pathways to recovery for marginalized victims, such as the queer community, people of color, and women. . . . With empathy, Surviving God acknowledges deep suffering as it illustrates the potential for finding faith and solace. Kim and Shaw actively challenge norms and advocate for accountability, providing a compassionate guide for healing immense hurt and finding solace in the arms of a loving God." --Booklist
"A monumental gift to the church and to survivors alike. With profound insight and theological precision, Kim and Shaw reexamine the Scriptures from the point of view of the God who survives, survivors in the Scriptures, and Jesus--the survivor of sexual violence. Surviving God is both indictment and healing balm for the church in an age of reckoning." --Lisa Sharon Harper, critically acclaimed author of The Very Good Gospel and Fortune
"An essential book for everyone who cares about the suffering of the innocent and the moral worthiness of this religion called Christianity." --David P. Gushee, author of Changing Our Mind, After Evangelicalism, and Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies
"For anyone longing for an understanding of God beyond the toxic and abusive theologies of the patriarchy--this book is for you!" --Rev. Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters, professor of religious studies and founding director of the Poverty and Social Justice Program at Elon University, and author of Trust Women
"Theology done through the eyes and voices of survivors of sexual violence and abuse is something that every community that calls itself Christian needs." --Mary Foskett, chair, Department for the Study of Religions, Wake Forest University
"Surviving God exposes the toxic theology that dominates much of evangelical Christianity, but more importantly, it exchanges those distortions for images of God that offer hope and comfort. Grace and Susan's engagement with Scripture, the church, and the experiences of sexual survivors is as unflinching as it is healing." --Jennifer Garcia Bashaw, associate professor of New Testament and Christian ministry, Campbell University
"How can we transform rape culture? By reimagining our society's all-powerful, authoritarian, male God. Centering the voices of sexual abuse survivors, Surviving God shows us a path through the dark thicket of a violent God, toward the sunlight of a God who yearns for justice and joy." --Christa Brown, author of This Little Light
"This timely, powerful book radically centers the experiences of sexual abuse survivors. It addresses with sensitivity the tensions of negotiating a faith tradition that has compounded abuse, yet also simultaneously offers visions of a more just community. The authors do not let God off the hook, but acknowledge that God, too, can be understood as a co-survivor of, and escapee from, toxic theologies." --Susannah Cornwall, author of Constructive Theology and Gender Variance and Un/Familiar Theology
"A much-needed message of assurance and comfort for survivors of sexual abuse and those who support them. As survivors themselves, Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Susan M. Shaw made the hard journey of deconstructing their learned theology and reimagining God as one who suffers with us, liberates us for the work of justice, and calls us to create beloved communities that are safe, welcoming, liberatory, and transformative." --Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Durso, president, Central Seminary, Shawnee, Kansas