Category Archives: abuse of power

The Mercy Lifeline

Posted on February 13, 2025 by carolyncustisjames

President Trump couldn’t have been more mistaken. During the January 21, 2025 Washington DC National Cathedral prayer service—the closing presidential inaugural event—Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde concluded her sermon with a courageous personal appeal to President Trump, seated prominently in the front … Continue reading →

Posted in abuse of power, Mercy, Power and Privilege | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Malestrom: Jesus’ Model for Men is Countercultural

Posted on October 26, 2023 by carolyncustisjames

Despite rampant global power struggles and their abuses, humanity’s history also includes inspiring examples of power being used for great goodness. This dichotomy features in the book “Malestrom: How Jesus Dismantles Patriarchy and Redefines Manhood”, which explores biblical men resisting patriarchal constructs and embracing the teachings of Jesus. The book argues that this aligns with a more countercultural, but hopeful, expression of masculinity. Continue reading →

Posted in abuse of power, Malestrom, Patriarchy, Power and Privilege, Theology | Leave a comment

Tamar: The Righteous Prostitute

Posted on May 18, 2023 by carolyncustisjames

“Warring Brothers” is an appropriate subtitle for the book of Genesis. Fierce sibling rivalry among brothers dominates the entire Genesis storyline. Jesus warned that there would be “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). History has played out exactly as he said with … Continue reading →

Posted in #MeToo, abuse of power, Books, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Jesus, John Wayne, and the Malestrom

Posted on February 16, 2022 by carolyncustisjames

Every once in a while, a book is ahead of its time. In the years following the June 2015 publication of Malestrom: Manhood Swept into the Currents of a Changing World, a torrent of unforeseen events transpired that have dramatically intensified … Continue reading →

Posted in #ChurchToo, #MeToo, abuse of power, Activism, Books, Brueggemann, Clergy Abuse, Covid-19, Hope, Jesus and John Wayne, Kristin Du Mez, Malestrom, Michael Bird | Tagged | 6 Comments

Pursuing the Pilgrim Principle

Posted on February 24, 2021 by carolyncustisjames

One of the books I’m reading at the moment is Kristin Kobes Du Mez’s A New Gospel for Women: Katherine Bushnell and the Challenge of Christian Feminism. Professor of History and Gender at Calvin College, Dr. Du Mez wrote this … Continue reading →

Posted in #ChurchToo, #MeToo, abuse of power, Activism, Books, Patriarchy, Power and Privilege, Theology | 1 Comment

#MeToo Story 2: Bathsheba

Posted on February 17, 2021 by carolyncustisjames

Bathsheba’s #MeToo Story and King David’s Crimes 2 Samuel 11:1—12:14; Psalm 51Written by Yeohan Ko People can see various kinds of sexual abuse in the Bible, but I think that the most horrible case is what happened to Bathsheba. She … Continue reading →

Posted in #ChurchToo, #MeToo, abuse of power, Domestic Abuse | Leave a comment

#MeToo Story 1: Hagar

Posted on February 16, 2021 by carolyncustisjames

A #MeToo Story Hidden in Plain Sight Genesis 16Written by Josh Macha Hagar’s experience is a #MeToo story hiding in plain sight. Hagar, Sarai’s Egyptian servant, is given to Abram as a solution to Sarai’s infertility. After laying with Abram, … Continue reading →

Posted in #MeToo, abuse of power, Sexual Abuse | 8 Comments