Episode 07: Bethany Turner: Fiction Author + Faith Meets Pop Culture

10/31/19 • 63 min

1 Listener

Today’s conversation with award winning author Bethany Turner is just another picture about why I love getting the perspective of Christian fiction authors because they bring such a creative view of the world around us, the church and how popular culture and faith meet head on. Bethany is a master of processing real life issues with wit and grace, mixed with a healthy dose rom-com and the result is truly delightful. In our conversation, we discuss her new newest book Wooing Cadie McCaffery (affectionately known as #WooCaM), but we also take a DEEP dive into a fascinating discussion that ended up being more timely than we could have ever known.

Her debut Christian Fiction novel is called The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and first of all, and while it is a fantastic read, and snort out loud hilarious, it is a story of a mainstream author, known for salacious work, becoming a Christian and her journey to figure out life with Jesus, while still wearing the same skin made famous for feeding empty hearts with worldly yuck. Within the last few months we have seen huge Hollywood names making proclamations of faith and one of them in particular, released work that demonstrates his declaration of faith and there is a significant conversation in the church about whether or not we believe Kanye or anyone else’s conversion. Ironically enough, it is a very similar tale for Sarah Hollenbeck. Isn’t. That. Interesting. Now, I know fiction isn’t Gospel, but it can absolutely, if we are willing, allow us to ask ourselves some hard questions. Would we believe the testimony of a Sarah Hollenbeck? Will we believe Kanye West? Or Brad Pitt or Justin Beiber and etc.? And if you’ll allow me, would we have believed Rahab, Ruth, Mary Magdalene, the adulterous woman, Saul who became Paul or anyone else who lived a sin wrecked and saturated life before they encountered their Savior? God is trustworthy with their story and if it brings Him glory and draws others to Himself, then Lord, use it. The end.

PS: Both The Secret Life of Ssrah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey are on MEGA sale on amazon right now. You can find links to those and to ways to listen in my bio. :) If you enjoy this conversation, I’d be honored if you shared it, and be sure you go and follow Bethany! Her social media presence always brightens my week.

References:

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck (affiliate link) I don’t know how long this sale will go on but Y’ALL the Kindle version of this book is on sale for less than $5 right now!!!!! Treat. Yo. Self.

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey (affiliate link) And this Kindle version is on sale for less than $2. That’s insane. Get it while you can!

Anne Rice

Redeeming Love - (affiliate link)

The Book of Hosea

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

Tom Hanks

Rita Wilson

Let me just stop here and say, I a...

References:

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey (affiliate link) And this Kindle version is on sale for less than $2. That’s insane. Get it while you can!

Anne Rice

Redeeming Love - (affiliate link)

The Book of Hosea

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

Tom Hanks

Rita Wilson

Let me just stop here and say, I a...

Previous Episode

Episode 06: Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics : Questions Askers + Nuance Seekers

Today I am honored to share my conversation with two incredible women, Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland. Sarah and Beth are the co-hosts of the bi-partisan political podcast Pantsuit Politics and the co-authors of the book I Think You’re Wrong, but I’m Listening: A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations. Sarah and Beth are committed to creating a space to talk through the hard things that are surrounding us in grace-filled and nuanced ways.

You may be someone who has always struggled with this topic (and listen, friend, I’m right there with you) and you are thinking “Em, that’s great, but why do I need to care about politics? Why should I be informed at all?” As my friend Stephanie and I discussed this summer, there is so much happening in the world and in our country that really impacts people and if we don’t know what’s going on, how we can listen to their story with deeper empathy and how can we speak the Gospel into their pain if we don’t have context for it?

I know this is hard stuff, you guys. Believe me. But people matter, it isn’t about the politics per say, its about being willing to walk in the hard with our neighbors.

Additionally, I would HIGHLY recommend their book. It is not about politics and specific agendas at all, it is literally what it says: a guide to grace filled conversation about hard things. As you head into the holiday season with this insane political upheaval happening around us, an election year in the making, and you approach the various tables in your sphere of influence, couldn’t we all use some reminding about the people behind the stories and experiences that surround us? We have to got to remember that we may not always agree, and we won’t, that’s not how humanity works, but we can be better humans to one another. You matter, friend. And so does your neighbor.

Resources:

Enneagram Types :: One / Two

Pedro and AIDS and “The Real World”

Emerge Kentucky

OJ Simpson // You also can see “The People vs. OJ Simpson”

Clarence Thomas

I Think You’re Wrong But I’m Listening: A Guide to Grace Filled Political Conversations (affiliate link)

“A League of Their Own”- “Of course its hard. That’s what makes it so great.”

One and two of many articles in reference to families being shifted by certain news outlets.

My original #metoo post from instagram

Kavanaugh

Rachel Held Evans

Jim Crow

Brown Vs. The Board of Education Topeka

Ash Abercrombie // Our episode on Simply Stories Podcast

Pantsuit Politics Live from Evolving Faith Conference

Scripture References:

2 Samuel 12

Next Episode

Episode 08: Erin Bartels: Fiction Author + Classical Wordsmith

Today’s episode is with author Erin Bartels. Talking with Erin is a very similar experience to reading her books. It’s time that is full of beautiful words that make you think harder, ask better questions and make you glad you just got to be there.

Erin and I talk about the process of making writing a part of your life, the role of stories in the church and how we view our neighbors. Her newest book The Words Between Us is like a love letter to words and classic literature and its truly unique from much of the modern fiction books that exist just now, particularly in the Christian Fiction market. It is a fascinating read and would be a great gift for anyone who really enjoys classic literature or is looking for a modern novel, even if they aren’t a fan of Christian Fiction. This is one of those novels that I think can be a great segue for conversation, but it has hope attached in the layers.

I think books and conversations like this preach a gentle reminder to me about being who you are and seeking God from that place. He doesn’t ask us to clean up before we come to Him, but just to come, no matter how long its been, and to invite our neighbors to come alongside us. You matter to Him, He wants you just as you are.

Resources:

ELCA Church

American Baptist

Michigan State

Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (affiliate link)

Persuasion by Jane Austen (affiliate link)

The Crimson Cord (Daughters of the Promised Land Book #1): Rahab’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith (affiliate link)

Ash Abercrombie and Rise of the Truth Teller (affiliate link for her book) and here’s her episode on Simply Stories!

Erin’s Books: The Words Between Us and We Hope For Better Things

Scripture References:

Moses

Pharisees

Luke 3:21-23

Fascinatingly enough, this scripture: “Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” is in 3 ...