Engaging with the Bible often feels like navigating a complex maze of stories and interpretations, especially for women. In this conversation, we dive into a conversation with Karis Bukowski and David Fitzgerald about their collaborative work to retell biblical narratives from the perspectives of several women’s stories. These are characters that many are well aware of, but Karis and David bring them to life in a broader, culturally informed, and at times humorous way, to provide a more appreciative and critical inquiry into just what it meant to be a woman of the Bible.
Karis and David’s exploration of women in the Bible invites readers to rethink not just the stories they know but the narratives that shape their understanding of gender, power, and faith. As the conversation shows, and modern social conversation continues to indicate, it’s crucial to recognize the voices and perspectives that have been historically marginalized.
Check out the full episode. The stories we tell matter.
The Genesis of Their Collaboration
Karis and David’s journey began at BAHACon, a conference where speakers and attendees mingle freely, fostering an environment of open dialogue that drew them together. Their discussion, ignited by the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs, centered on the realization that many of the Biblical narratives often cast women in a negative, or at least dismissive, light. Karis, who was raised Lutheran but lost her faith early on, and David, well-versed in Biblical history, found common ground in their desire to reshape these narratives.
“We wanted to tell the story, but we wanted to make one little tweak. We wanted to tell it from the woman’s point of view. That one little tweak changes everything.” — David Fitzgerald
Retelling the Stories
Their book, “Clearly Written By Boys,” features the stories of prominent biblical women such as Eve, Jezebel, and Ruth, but with a significant shift in perspective. By presenting these narratives through the perspectives of the women themselves, they highlight the often-overlooked complexities and injustices faced by these characters.
Karis reflects on their approach, stating, “Every part that we did had new insights because we were looking deeper and from a different angle.” The goal is not just to retell the stories but to challenge the context in which they have been traditionally understood.
The duo’s writing style is infused with humor, making the book not only informative but also enjoyable. Karis notes that writing with David brought a lightness to the serious subject matter, making their exploration of biblical stories feel accessible and engaging.
A Call to Action
As the conversation unfolds, they express concern about the current societal trends that echo the patriarchal structures present in biblical times. They advocate for a broader understanding of these narratives to empower women today.
“What we are trying to say is, look, this is your religion. This is where it came from. It may not be that now. You may practice it better...” — David Fitzgerald
Their work is a call to examine the roots of beliefs and how they shape modern society. We should be celebrating the progress much of humanity has made by invoking the principles of humanism, and not disregarding the perspectives, experiences, and rights of not only 50% of the population, but half of who we are as human beings.
Related Reading
Follow me on Threads or Instagram for more psychology, humor, and photography.
Schedule a Consultation
Reach out to schedule a mental health session regarding issues related to identity and decision-making, emotional regulation, difficulties in relationships, religious trauma, developing meaning/purpose, and the struggles of communication.
How You Can Support the Newsletter
This post was free to read for all. If you like what I’m doing with Humanity’s Values and want to support my work, there are several ways to do so.
Like and Restack: Click the buttons at the top or bottom of the page to boost the post’s visibility on Substack.
Share: Send the post to friends or share it on social media.
Dialogue: Expand the space for dialogue by engaging with others on the topics discussed here and help build the community.
Upgrade to Paid: A paid subscription gets you:
Full access to all new posts and the archive
Full access to all online classes
Full access to weekly presentations on various topics of psychology
Promotional discount on coaching/consultation services
The ability to post comments and engage in chat with the growing Humanity’s Values community
If you could do any of the above, I’d be very grateful. Readers like you help keep this newsletter going and growing.
Thanks!
David
