What do you think?
Rate this book
Losing Jesus: Modern Patriarchy in Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism
Beginning with an examination of the form of church government practiced in the New Testament, the author shows where modern patriarchal church government has gone far astray from the Bible. Calling herself a "weak" patriarchist, she explores several possible interpretations of Paul's restrictions against women in church eldership. The book also examines flaws in the theologies of both complementarianism and egalitarianism. LOSING JESUS warns the reader about the current problems of modern patriarchy, but it resists the temptation to do away with patriarchy altogether. Instead, the author shows the reader the many different sides of the question of ordaining women elders, without making up the readers' minds for them. The book is illuminating and sometimes surprising, but it makes room for the reader's own conscience and allows readers to draw their own conclusions in this often heated controversy.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Jeri Massi
100 books104 followersJeri Massi is the author of the Peabody Adventures, the Bracken Series, the Peabody High Mysteries (SF), and more
A passionate fan of classic Doctor Who, Jeri Massi has been regaling fans with space opera, SF mystery, and forensic procedurals for more than 30 years. A martial arts master in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Jeri further perfected her grasp of science and engineering by working in pharmaceutical research and validation for 20 years.
She has published short stories on the web, in fanzines, and in reading anthologies for large publishing houses before choosing Indy writing. Her novel, Valkyries, published by Moody Press, was nominated for a national book award. Jeri's SF relies on suspense, some horror, comedy, and vivid, relatable characters.
You can track her booklist, adventures with cancer, and articles on great books on her Substack page.
https://jerimassi.substack.com
A passionate fan of classic Doctor Who, Jeri Massi has been regaling fans with space opera, SF mystery, and forensic procedurals for more than 30 years. A martial arts master in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Jeri further perfected her grasp of science and engineering by working in pharmaceutical research and validation for 20 years.
She has published short stories on the web, in fanzines, and in reading anthologies for large publishing houses before choosing Indy writing. Her novel, Valkyries, published by Moody Press, was nominated for a national book award. Jeri's SF relies on suspense, some horror, comedy, and vivid, relatable characters.
You can track her booklist, adventures with cancer, and articles on great books on her Substack page.
https://jerimassi.substack.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 19, 2014
Review from Pat Cassell:
Readers may recognize Pat Cassell as one of the two interview subjects from The Lambs of Trinity. She is staunchly conservative and has taken the side of victims of clergy abuse for decades.
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Losing Jesus. It is clear, concise and well-thought out and zeroes in on reasons for the mess many of our churches are in. After surviving 25 years in one of these churches [Trinity Baptist of Jacksonville], you are right on with many of your explanations as to what is going on and why. Page 91, with your explanation of the two patriarchal views was stunning in the two totally opposite views and what it has led to in our modern churches.
“It is a great read for someone who wants to be challenged and thought provoked about the modern patriarchy system common in so many of our churches. The system truly does protect the abuser and turns away from any victim or woman asking questions that need to be answered.
“You can quote me on any of above. I really could not put the book down as I again – thru your writing – found answers to so many questions we still have!”
Pat Cassell
Readers may recognize Pat Cassell as one of the two interview subjects from The Lambs of Trinity. She is staunchly conservative and has taken the side of victims of clergy abuse for decades.
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Losing Jesus. It is clear, concise and well-thought out and zeroes in on reasons for the mess many of our churches are in. After surviving 25 years in one of these churches [Trinity Baptist of Jacksonville], you are right on with many of your explanations as to what is going on and why. Page 91, with your explanation of the two patriarchal views was stunning in the two totally opposite views and what it has led to in our modern churches.
“It is a great read for someone who wants to be challenged and thought provoked about the modern patriarchy system common in so many of our churches. The system truly does protect the abuser and turns away from any victim or woman asking questions that need to be answered.
“You can quote me on any of above. I really could not put the book down as I again – thru your writing – found answers to so many questions we still have!”
Pat Cassell
November 16, 2014
I grew up in the center of the Independent Fundamental Baptist life. It was a good upbringing in so many ways. But as I grew older, I became more uncomfortable with the patriarchal control and how I often felt it was misused and even abused. The problem with allowing such control to be abused is that people get misused and abused. So I eventually left the denomination as peacefully as I could, without vocalizing my concerns. I was still in the mindset of not speaking out against a brother so as to have a clean testimony in the world.
Thankfully, the author takes a more Biblical approach of calling out the problems that if not left unchecked, can grow into huge injustices against our brothers and sisters in Christ. Authoritative pastors and elders who refuse to be questioned (because they are "God's man") must still be held accountable even if they "allow" it. Jeri Massi does a great job of articulating this using scripture and true accounts of abuse of power in the pulpits of some of our IFB churches today.
Thankfully, the author takes a more Biblical approach of calling out the problems that if not left unchecked, can grow into huge injustices against our brothers and sisters in Christ. Authoritative pastors and elders who refuse to be questioned (because they are "God's man") must still be held accountable even if they "allow" it. Jeri Massi does a great job of articulating this using scripture and true accounts of abuse of power in the pulpits of some of our IFB churches today.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews