Rachel Held Evans was an American author, blogger, and speaker known for her progressive Christian views and her criticism of traditionalist views within the Evangelical community. Here are some of her well-known teachings:
Emphasis on Social Justice: Rachel Held Evans emphasized the importance of social justice, advocating for marginalized groups and challenging systems of oppression.
Progressive Theology: She was known for her progressive Christian views, including her rejection of literal interpretations of the Bible and support for more inclusive and accepting views of LGBTQ+ individuals and women.
Criticism of Complementarianism: She was critical of the doctrine of complementarianism, which holds that men and women have different but complementary roles within the family and the church.
Embracing Doubt: She encouraged individuals to embrace doubt and uncertainty in their faith journeys, advocating for a more open and honest approach to spirituality.
Emphasis on Story: Rachel Held Evans placed a strong emphasis on the power of personal stories, both in shaping one's own beliefs and in connecting with others.
Interfaith Engagement: She encouraged interfaith engagement and dialogue, promoting an inclusive approach to people of other faith traditions.
Inclusivity and Diversity: Rachel Held Evans advocated for a more inclusive and diverse expression of Christianity, rejecting exclusive or exclusionary interpretations of faith.
Wrath of God: She denied the retributive justice of God and, like other Progressive Christians, viewed the concept of the wrath of God as being symbolic rather than literal, and interpret it as representing the natural consequences of oppressive or unjust actions, rather than an active punishment imposed by a deity. Such a denial is also a denial of the need for God's mercy.
Atonement: Rachel Held Evans rejected traditional views of the atonement, such as the idea of penal substitution, which holds that Jesus' death on the cross was necessary to pay the penalty for all sinners who trust in Christ. Instead, she emphasized the importance of Jesus' life, teachings, and example as a means of atoning for sin, rather than his death.