Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber On 'Finding God In All The Wrong People'

NPR Fresh Air ^ | sept. 17, 2015 | NPR

[Leaning Right]

Nadia Bolz-Weber was a stand-up-comic with a drinking problem who opened up a church for people who didn't belong. "My job is to ... remind people that they're absolutely loved," she says. Her new memoir is 'Accidental Saints.'

[Leaning Right]

Yes, I know it's NPR, but sometimes they interview fascinating people. Bolz-Weber's views might not be for everyone, but she comes across as a solid Christian and as a solid Lutheran. And she presents her story with joy and humor. And to my surprise, NPR treated her with respect.

I enjoyed this interview very much.

For those interested, the entire interview is at the NPR link. It's the Sept 17th podcast.

[TBP]

Finding God in everyone, everywhere should be a big part of the mission of any religion.

[oblomov]

If one should tell them what’s clearly seen
They’d not understand; if they understood they would not believe;
If they understood and believed they’d say,
“Hater of men, annihilating with a sterile enormous
Splendor our lives: where are our lives?”
A little chilled perhaps, but not hurt. But it’s quite true
The invulnerable love is not bought for nothing.
It is better no doubt to give crumbs than the loaf: make fables again,
Tell people not to fear death, toughen
Their bones if possible with bitter fables not to fear life.
—And one’s own, not to have pity too much;
For it seems compassion sticks longer than the other colors, in this bleaching cloth.

- “Crumbs or the Loaf”, Robinson Jeffers

[AnalogReigns]

Bolz-Weber is not at all a solid Christian, or a solid Lutheran--as she rejects the authority of the Bible. Accepts homosexual marriage, and the whole left/liberal project. She may be saved, I don't know, but that doesn't make her faith solid.

[Fungi]

Good for you. As for myself, to give these rabid leftists credit for anything while they destroy the fabric of our society at our expense is beyond comprehension.

[Leaning Right]

I judge her only by what she said in that podcast. As I noted earlier, I found her to be joyful in her faith. Her looks do not influence me one way or the other.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[Charles Henrickson]

She’s an impastor.

[Fungi]

Thia woman is an impostor. Whom is she serving? Not the biblical God I know. Those tattoos belie her faith. We are all sinners and all are saved by grace. Did she get those tattoos before or after her “conversion” to Christ. As for me, those tattoos would have to go if I made her claims.

[Leaning Right]

I certainly did not hear anything destructive in her message. But discussions of theology are tricky things. Most folks, me included, have a rather narrow view of what's right and what's wrong.

So controversy is almost inevitable. I knew that when I posted this piece. I enjoyed listening to the interview. Others might not. Your mileage my vary.

[Leaning Right]

We are all sinners and all are saved by grace.

That's exactly what Bolz-Weber said in the interview. And, no, I'm not saying she is the leading theologian of our times, or that she is right about everything.

What I am saying is that I found it to be an interesting interview; she has quite a story to tell. I saw no evidence of "liberation theology" or anything like that.

But then again, I didn't do an extensive background check. I just appreciated the podcast for what it was.

[PCPOET7]

oh what mistake you make when you dont see the planting of a mustard seed becouse the log in your eye.

being of solid faith is excepting that all is not in your hands and leting god be the judge of things like faith and how good a christian you or others are. I try not to judge but like all I do and as far as I am concerned its about trying to love some one warts and all not picking at the scabs that is sin.

[Heart-Rest]

Nadia uses profanity like a lumberjack, and advocates sinful lifestyles, contrary to the instructions given to sinners by Jesus Christ to "Go, and sin no more".

Here's another little taste of Nadia pushing her book:

   Nadia Bolz-Weber - Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

(If you watch this clip, you'll be able to see a bunch of other video clips of Nadia in action out there on youtube, if you're interested.)

[Sally]

“Impastor!” Ha, good one, pastor. Instant classic.

[vladimir998]

“but she comes across as a solid Christian and as a solid Lutheran.”

Actually she’s a nutbag leftist. That’s why she’s a darling of the Left.

[mlizzy]

Thank you for the link; I haven’t my hearing, so everything is visual to me [the CCs are not good on these videos]... so all I saw were the tatts and the pits. 1:41 of Nadia’s armpits! Oy vey! .. =)

[xone]

as a solid Lutheran.

LOL

[Leaning Right]

She sees herself as a good Lutheran, and she tries to bring people to Christ. Some might disagree with that assessment of her. I understand.

[xone]

She sees herself as a good Lutheran,

I don't doubt she does, but she doesn't adhere to the Book of Concord so she can't be. As far as bringing people to Christ, with her 'beliefs', one has to ask, "Which Christ?"

[Leaning Right]

All good points, yours. I'm not saying I endorse her particular brand of theology. All I'm saying is that I found her witnessing to be joyful, and the interview itself to be interesting.

And I was pleasantly surprised to see how respectfully NPR treated her. Bolz-Weber pushed no “liberation theology” in her interview, and she strongly came out as a follower of Christ. And NPR accepted all that without any smarmy comments.