Resources | Gaslighting Jesus

Resources.

I encourage you to explore these if you are looking to learn more*. Everything referenced here has played a role in my own journey and therefore in the existence of this blog. I want to make sure to give deserved credit to these various authors, artists, and creators. Note: This list is still very much "under construction"

Various Content Creators

Dan McClellan Author, TikToker, Blogger and More

Dan McClellan is a scholar of the Bible and Religion, you can check out his education credentials and access all of his work on his website. I highly recommend checking out his short-form videos on his TikTok channel where he responds to questions about the Bible and Christianity.

Marg Mowczko Blogger, Influencer, and More

Marg Mowczko is a scholar of Theology. She primarily runs a blog discussing the theology of egalitarianism (principle of equality of men and women). She tends to have a more traditional perspective on the bible just through the lens of egalitarianism. Check out her posts discussing women in the bible and their stories. You will learn more about the incredible things women were doing than you ever heard in Sunday school. You can check out her website for her blog posts and more.

David Hayward Artist, Author, Influencer and More

David Hayward is an ex-pastor who has created beautiful, funny, sometimes heartbreaking art expressing many feelings and experiences those who have been confused or hurt by the evangelical church will relate to. You can find his artwork, books, and other resources on his website. I have found his comics to be a valuable part of my own healing, and a quick and easy way to share some of these feelings with others.

Rethinking Biblical Interpretation

Inspired (Book) Rachel Held Evans

"If the Bible isn’t a science book, instruction manual, or position paper, then what is it? New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans invites readers on a journey of rediscovery as she explores the magic of the Bible, engaging the old, familiar stories in new ways that honor the past and enlighten the present." Learn More

Jesus Wants to Save Christians (Book) Rob Bell with Don Golden

"We want you to discover the Bible as its own best commentary. Once justice is seen as the thread woven into the fabric of biblical history, the whole Bible becomes much clearer. Justice is the issue when God redeems Israel from Pharaoh. Justice is at the heart of the Sinai law and justice is what Israel must show the world as a kingdom of priests. Justice is the measure the Jews failed to meet in their days of power and empire in Jerusalem. It was justice the prophets proclaimed as the way of return during the exile of the Jews in Babylon and it was justice that Jesus incarnated." Learn More

Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Everyone Who Ever Lived (Book) Rob Bell

"A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spend forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better. It’s been clearly communicated to many that this belief is a central truth of the Christian faith and to reject it is, in essence, to reject Jesus. This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus’s message of love, peace, forgiveness, and joy that our world desperately needs to hear." Learn More

Exploring Church History

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation (Book) Kristen Kobes Du Mez

"A much-needed reexamination, Jesus and John Wayne explains why evangelicals have rallied behind the least-Christian president in American history and how they have transformed their faith in the process, with enduring consequences for all of us." Learn More

LGBTQIA2S+ Issues

Changing Our Mind (Book) David P. Gushee

"Changing Our Mind has helped thousands of families and congregations carefully and compassionately rethink traditional religious teachings about full LGBTQ inclusion." Learn More

Unclobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality (Book) Colby Martin

"Armed with only six passages in the Bible―often known as the "Clobber Passages"―the conservative Christian position has been one that stands against the full inclusion of our LGBTQ siblings. UnClobber reexamines each of those frequently quoted passages of Scripture, alternating with author Colby Martin's own story of being fired from an evangelical megachurch when they discovered his stance on sexuality." Learn More

God and The Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships (Book) Matthew Vines

"Matthew Vines’ landmark book God and the Gay Christian has sparked heated debate, soul searching, and widespread cultural change on the issue of what it means to be a faithful gay Christian. Through careful and academic exploration of what the Bible actually says — and doesn’t say — about same-sex relationships, Vines’ book is unique in its affirmation of both an orthodox faith and sexual diversity" Learn More

Real People's Stories

The Woman They Wanted: Shattering the Illusion of The Good Christian Wife (Book) Shannon Harris [Bonne]

"The Woman They Wanted recounts Shannon's remarkable experience inside Big Church--where she was asked to live within a narrow definition of womanhood for almost two decades--and her subsequent journey out of that world and into a more authentic version of herself." Learn More

Counting the Cost: A Memoir (Book) Jill Duggar [Dillard] with Derick Dillard and Craig Borlaise

"Our book is meant to reflect a story that has been difficult, yet hopeful. The challenges we have faced, including lack of respect for boundaries, greed, manipulation, and betrayal, are not that much different than what many people in our audience have faced. However, 15+ years of reality television, undergirded by secrecy and lies, is tantamount to pouring gasoline on the fire of our struggle. Thanks to time, tears, truth, and therapy, God has begun to heal our wounds into scars." Learn More

Musicians

Semler Grace Semler Baldridge

A queer artist and pastor's kid who has created a collection of songs related to religious deconstruction and being gay/queer in those spaces. Some of this music has even topped the Christian music charts which has been incredible to see. Check out their website here. Or listen on Spotify here.

Maddie Zahm

A queer artist who has released beautiful songs that express the emotions of religious deconstruction and other relatable emotional experiences. Check out her website here. Or listen on Spotify here.

James and the Shame Rhett McLaughlin

Rhett of "Rhett and Link" from the popular youtube show Good Mythical Morning has released music, much of which centers on his religious deconstruction and experience interacting with Christians now. The music has more of a country vibe, and manages to capture the pain that often comes with leaving a faith community. Check out his website here. Or listen on Spotify here. Consider also checking out Rhett and Links podcast episodes where they share their own religious journeys.

Podcasts

Queer Theology Fr. Shannon TL Kearns and Brian G. Murphy

"Explore the archives for a queer perspective on hundreds of Bible passages as well as dozens of interviews with respected LGBTQ leaders like Amy-Jill Levine, Namoli Brennet, Joy Ladin, Emmy Kegler, Trey Pearson, Dr. Pamela Lightsey (and a few cis, straight folks too). We also have series on Matthew, Mark, and Galatians, as well as topics like Sunday School Sex Ed, Scary Things You Might Have Been Taught In Church, and so much more! Check out their website here." Or listen on Spotify here.

Data over Dogma Dan McClellan and Daniel Beecher

"This ain't your pastor's Bible podcast. This is a deep interrogation of the book, and we're bringing receipts. Bible scholar Dr. Dan McClellan and atheist podcaster Dan Beecher team up to discover what the Bible actually says, what it decidedly doesn't say (even if everyone thinks it does), and explore the history of the most popular book of all time." Listen on Spotify here.

*These are provided as resources for exploration, not as an endorsement of the beliefs and values expressed by these individuals or works. Each of these individuals are at different points in their own journeys and express a variety of beliefs. If you are concerned about consuming or sharing content that might not be supportive of specific identities or individuals please feel free to reach out and ask me for more information. I found these helpful regardless of any misalignment with my beliefs, but I recognize that may be problematic for others.