Shows
Let There Be Light Podcastthose who came before...THANK YOU all for listening! We are incredibly grateful for your support, encouragement, and love over our first three seasons!Today is a more conversational format reflecting on the themes, courage, and contributions of women in church history. In our lives, we seek to honor the legacy of the women who went before us, and it is our prayer that Eshet Chayil did just that. We hope you enjoyed half as much as we enjoyed creating content for you all! Stay tuned for the release of our fourth season in 2022! Enjoy!2021-11-0325 min
Let There Be Light Podcastthe making of biblical womanhood: book reviewIs biblical womanhood defined by ancient Greek grammar, by cultural norms, or by the actions and love of God? In our penultimate episode this season, we review Beth Alison Barr's bestseller, "The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth."We found that this book perfectly wraps up our season ahead of the Eshet Chayil finale, and are excited to share what we've learned. 😀As always, leave us a review of what you think!2021-10-2730 min
Let There Be Light Podcasthere we stand - we can do no otherIn our last dive into the histories of prominent women throughout the Church, Sarah leads the discussion today with a glimpse into the Reformation. •Argula, the first woman to apply Luther’s doctrine of priesthood of all believers to women, and also the first female lobbyist of the Reformation.•Katharina, who wrote a defense for speaking out against men in ecclesial power. (Significantly, also wrote a preface for one of Calvin’s sermons.)•Marie Dentiere, who wrote & published a formal defense for women being allowed to authoritatively teach to other women, which most of the Reformers were against.Listen to how these w...2021-10-2029 min
Let There Be Light Podcastscholars, soldiers, poets, queens | part 2In our newest episode, we continue in our 2-part special of "scholars, soldiers, poets, queens" by delving into the Middle Ages:Julian of Norwich, who wrote the first English language book ‘Revelations of Divine Love written by a woman on the ‘feminine nature’ of Christianity;Anna Comnena, author of the most comprehensive book on church history of her time; and Hrosvit, composer of first dramas in Christian history, combining Christianity with art in a new way.Let us know what you think and what your favorite part of the episode is! :)2021-10-1327 min
Let There Be Light Podcastscholars, soldiers, poets, queens | part 1In today's episode in our series, Eshet Chayil: Woman of Valor, Sarah dissects the histories of three women selected from the history of the medieval church. They are Brigid of Ireland (who founded the first Irish nunnery and is said to be the first woman appointed a bishop); Christine de Pisan (her writings on the defense of women in the medieval church are said to be some of the earliest accounts of ‘feminism’); and Melania the Younger (was a major theologian, assisted Boniface the great Christian leader, & used her knowledge to teach the emperor & aided the clergy in textual interpretation & tran...2021-10-0624 min
Let There Be Light Podcastupon these rocks, I will build my ChurchToday, Sarah leads our discussion in the histories of 3 women who are recorded as major players in the establishment of the early church leading up to the middle ages:St. Thecla, Faltonia Betitia Proba, and Egeria. Listen for descriptions of the subversion of Roman culture through the church and particularly through the roles women played (early church was predominantly female),the transition to more hierarchical structures as the church assimilated to Roman culture, leading to the Middle Ages, and the increasing marginalization of women. And as always, leave us a review or shoot us a message of what you think...2021-09-2927 min
Let There Be Light Podcasta pastor, a deacon, and an apostle walk into a barHappy hour starts now 🥂Continuing in our series, Eshet Chayil: Women of Valor, Marleny takes us through Romans 16, and a breakdown of three of the women Paul writes about in his letters to Rome. They are a pastor named Prisca, a deacon well-known as Phoebe, and an outstanding apostle called Junia.Leave us your thoughts and enjoy!RESOURCES:Women Leaders in Romans 16: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/euangelion/2018/05/women-leaders-in-romans-16-some-things-to-read/ 3 New Testament Female Leaders: Phoebe, Junia, Prisca: https://juniaproject.com/3-new-testament-female-leaders-phoebe-junia-prisca/ I knew the truth about women in the Bible, and I stayed silent: https://baptistnews.com/article/i-knew-the-truth-about-women-in-the-bible-and-i-stayed-silent/#.YQmW6GllDq2021-09-2227 min
Let There Be Light Podcastlast at the Cross, first at the tombWELCOME to season 3, everyone! We hope y'all are staying safe and healthy in your part of the world and are ready for an exciting new lineup of episodes. This week's episode marks the first in our series Eishet Chayil: Women of Valor, where we discuss famous women in church history, including the early church, medieval, and modern day. Today, Marleny (with full allergies and sniffles) leads the discussion, beginning with the greatest miracle of all time: Jesus' resurrection.We are stoked to be discussing the histories of the three Marys, and the revolutionary significance of Jesus choosing a woman to b...2021-09-1524 min
Let There Be Light Podcasttrauma is not your identityAnother season has come and gone! Thank you so much to everyone who has been following our season exploring trauma within the church, for sending us questions, and for returning every week for more.
Today we close out the conversation by discussing how trauma relates to our identity in Christ as stated by scripture, while also including personal experience and lots of encouragement.
THANK YOU TO:
TaylorRae, our photographer and designer of our logo, color palette, and constant inspiration!
Instagram: @taylorraephotofilm
Website: https://www.taylorraephotofilm.com/
THANK YOU TO:
Sarah Beth Baca, the genius artist behind the portrait of Hagar, us...2021-05-0527 min
Let There Be Light Podcastwho can help me? a history of christian vs secular counselingToday, Sarah leads our discussion in breaking down the history of Christian vs secular counseling, the church's promotion and denial over the years, and the hopeful future dawning on the church understanding more about mental illness. RESOURCES:
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/March-2018/You-Can-t-Pray-Away%e2%80%9d-a-Mental-Health-Condition
https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2018/april/church-and-mental-health.html
https://www.geneva.edu/blog/uncategorized/stigma-mental-illness
Books:
Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey
The God Who is There by Francis Schaeffer2021-04-2131 min
Let There Be Light Podcastgrace-softened edgesHealing is not linear, and there are wounds time can't heal.
There's a somber attitude in the studio today. In this episode, we discuss our personal accounts of healing from trauma caused by people we loved in our families and churches, just to name a few. Listen as we share ways our therapists and God's mercy have helped us along the way, as well as debunk myths and encourage anyone experiencing something similar to reach out for help. 💛
CREDITS:
Recommended Articles for Healing: https://annvoskamp.com/recommended-articles-for-soul-healing/
Jackie Hill Perry: "My Sexual Abuse Survivor Story" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/oK5...2021-04-1432 min
Let There Be Light Podcastshe who named GodA famous footnote in the story of Isaac's miraculous birth, little else is known about the Egyptian slave girl, Hagar.
Hagar was bought by Abram and forced to bear his child when his wife, Sarai, could not produce the heir that God had promised. Hagar was then labeled as "contemptuous" by her mistress, and after being treated harshly by her, fled from her masters into the wilderness, possibly fearing her unborn baby's life.
It was in her wanderings that Hagar had a life-changing encounter at a well, where the promise of the covenant was revealed...2021-03-3121 min
Let There Be Light Podcastdiagnosis: post-traumatic church syndromePrognosis: Hopeful. ❤ Separating from a community leaves its own special wound.
Today, the ladies break down the definition of trauma as described by medical experts, and discuss the ways they experienced trauma after leaving their church communities, and how they found healing after hope seemed lost.
RESOURCES:
Emotional & Psychological Trauma: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/coping-with-emotional-and-psychological-trauma.htm
Finding a Therapist Who Can Help You Heal: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/finding-a-therapist-who-can-help-you-heal.htm
Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: https://time.com/3859374/losing-my-religion-americas-post-traumatic-church-syndrome/
When Church Leads to Trauma: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/well/mind/religion-trauma-lgbt-gay-depression-anxiety.html2021-03-2427 min
Let There Be Light Podcast14 | still searching for sundayOur series on church trauma continues with this season's book review episode on Rachel Held Evans' book, "Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church."
In her 2015 memoir, Rachel Held Evans shared a journey that validated the doubts of her fellow millennial peers as well as frustrated and confused others: her journey of loving, leaving, and finding the church. With her trademark witty candor and undeniable grace, "Searching for Sunday" takes us on a tour through fascinating church history and even a modern day monastery; recounts heartbreaking losses and personal testimony that led to her decision to deconstruct her...2021-03-1720 min
Let There Be Light Podcast13 | a survivor's guide to deconstructionWhen all of your beliefs get blown to hell, what is left?
This week, Sarah reacquaints us with the definition of deconstruction, how it is affecting the American church today, the testimonies of those who have experienced it, and what scripture says about it all.2021-03-1033 min
Let There Be Light Podcast12 | what makes a churchSEASON 2 IS HERE!
We are back and laying the groundwork for season 2 by discussing what makes a church, and how to define the universal Church. This will be a great episode to reference later when we dive into difficult topics on churches' responses to mental illness, sexual abuse, and spiritual mistreatment.
As always, we bring laughter, challenging questions, and our hearts for Jesus to the forefront of every episode. We hope you enjoy!2021-03-0325 min
Let There Be Light PodcastLeft Behind: Learning to Love the Church Again | episode 11In our SEASON ONE finale, we discuss hurt, disbelief, betrayal, and uncertainty - just some of the emotions we both felt when leaving our respective churches. Listen as we bear our souls by sharing our experiences, doubts, and how we learned to love the church again.
Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Sunday-Loving-Leaving-Finding/dp/0718022122
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Like-Jazz-Nonreligious-Spirituality/dp/0785263705
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It has been a wild ride over the last few months! We are incredibly grateful for the...2020-11-1100 min
Let There Be Light Podcastpurity rings, myths, and shame - oh my! with Dr. Camden Morgante | episode 10This week, we explore the world of purity culture with our own personal guide, Dr. Camden Morgante!
With her expertise, we discuss the different kinds of myths that are created within the American Church as well as dissect questions that we have personally encountered regarding marriage, sex, and the fairytales that come with them. *
Due to the long-distance nature of this call, the audio recording reflects some connectivity & sound difficulties. Thanks for bearing with us and we pray that this is as much an encouragement to you as it was to us! For more information on Dr. Camden: https://drcamden...2020-11-0300 min
Let There Be Light Podcastred, white, & Blue Like Jazz | episode 9Sarah leads us through this season's book review episode with a thorough look at Donald Miller's enlightening and controversial book, Blue Like Jazz.
Enjoy as the ladies dissect negative views towards this work, bring up their own discoveries from its pages, and why you should never judge a book by its cover.
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (paperback) https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Like-Jazz-Nonreligious-Spirituality/dp/07852637052020-10-2800 min
Let There Be Light PodcastThe Lost Apostle | episode 8This is the story of a woman who was part of the early Church. The story of a woman who may have listened at the feet of Jesus himself. A story that was nearly wiped from history.
This woman was revered as a symbol of faith for centuries, and in one stroke of a brush, her identity was tainted and her status questioned. Her name and gender were changed and taught as correct by men of great power in the church.
This history is rarely acknowledged, let alone taught. The average member of the...2020-10-2100 min
Let There Be Light PodcastMasculinity & other musings | episode 7Welcome the conclusion of the two-part series where we explore the expectations of femininity and masculinity in the American church. Listen as the ladies compare cultural norms with biblical truths, and share stories that have helped mold their faiths and revisit their own biases. As always, we promise laughs, challenges, and maybe a food metaphor or two.
SOURCES:
Redefining masculinity: Three psychologists strive to build a ‘better' man.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/06/masculinity
What Is Toxic Masculinity?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/us/toxic-masculinity.amp.html
How the Christian ‘masculinity’ movement is ruining men
https://religio...2020-10-1400 min
Let There Be Light PodcastFemininity & other Musings | episode 6In the first of their two-part series on Femininity & Masculinity, the ladies dive into what the Bible and American church culture deem as being feminine.
Sources:
What is Biblical Femininity?
https://midtowncolumbia.com/blog/what-is-biblical-femininity
A REAL WOMAN? DEFINING BIBLICAL FEMININITY
https://www.livehope.org/article/a-real-woman-defining-biblical-femininity/
Biblical Womanhood: How the Bible Defines Femininity
http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=140011648&sec_id=140001239
What the Bible Doesn’t Say About Femininity
https://www.boundless.org/relationships/what-the-bible-doesnt-say-about-femininity/
...2020-10-0700 min
Let There Be Light PodcastTo Kid or Not to Kid | episode 5This week, Sarah helps us take a closer look at verses often taken out of context and used to abuse or invalidate women - yes, we are talking about motherhood and childbearing. Does getting pregnant mean women will be saved? What exactly does "be fruitful and multiply" entail? What if you're a young woman sure of not having kids? We have some answers, a few questions, and lots of laughter in store!
Sources:
IS MOTHERHOOD THE HIGHEST CALLING FOR WOMEN?
https://margmowczko.com/is-motherhood-the-highest-calling-for-women/
What Does It Mean that Women Will Be...2020-09-3038 min
Let There Be Light PodcastHow to Light a Candle with a WILDFIREWhat does it mean to be truly woke?
By definition, a wildfire consumes without limitless, causing pain and destruction; a candle can provide warmth and light in dark places. How can these two be reconciled in a world full of cancel culture, nasty comment sections, and opinions that feel like yelling into the void?
In this episode, the ladies grapple with different definitions and examples as they discuss how they can be passionate about their beliefs while without burning others and invalidating their opinions.
Sources:
"Being woke isn’t so easy – even if you know what it means":
https://www.thegu...2020-09-2331 min
Let There Be Light PodcastThe One Where She Cusses | episode 3What does it say when a Christian cusses? Are they not listening to supposedly "specific" bible verses? Are they abusing their freedom in Christ? What the HECK is going on here?!
Like many other topics debated in scripture, there are almost too many stances to count. Similar to drinking alcohol or getting tattoos, cursing is often looked down upon by some as a "sign of lower intelligence" or a sign of spiritual immaturity. This stance often leads to those who cuss feeling less convicted by the Holy Spirit, and more condemned by their brothers and sisters in Christ. Sarah & Marleny...2020-09-1630 min
Let There Be Light PodcastI Preached a Sermon (& I liked it) | episode 2Sarah leads the discussion this week as we delve into the topic of preaching - as a woman.
Growing up complementarian, neither of the ladies realized until their twenties how much they loved learning and preaching God's word, but ran into some trouble early on in expressing that love. Listen as they share stories of struggle, doubt, and faith, and admit there is still much to learn.
"With" by Skye Jethani:
https://www.amazon.com/Reimagining-Way-You-Relate-God/dp/1595553797
Summaries of the Egalitarian and Complementarian Positions:
https://cbmw.org/2007/06/26/summaries-of-the-egalitarian-and-complementarian-positions/2020-09-0930 min
Let There Be Light Podcasttrauma with a capital T | episode 1In their first episode, Sarah and Marleny discuss trauma and its effects on mental health, a topic that is severely misunderstood in the Christian church today. Listen as the ladies open up about their personal experiences, share advice from medical professionals, and encourage anyone listening that they aren't alone and there is hope for healing.
Links to sources cited in this podcast:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/coping-with-emotional-and-psychological-trauma.htm
https://www.helpguide.org/meditations/mindful-breathing-meditation.htm
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/ptsd-symptoms-self-help-treatment.htm
Photo credit: https://www...2020-09-0229 min
Let There Be Light Podcast...and there was Light: introductionsSome introductions are in order!
Listen as Sarah & Marleny introduce each other, make each other laugh, and discuss how their lives and faith journeys have led them to starting "Let There Be Light."
You can also learn what to expect in future episodes, including our season premiere on 9/2/2020!2020-08-0215 min
Let There Be Light PodcastLet There Be Light TrailerPeople want black-and-white answers from the Bible, but as author Sarah Bessey puts it, scripture is a rainbow arch painted across a stormy sky. Join hosts Sarah and Marleny in a fun and unpredictable exploration of scripture through discussions on history, theology, and our love for Jesus. 2020-06-1500 min