Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
Religion News
For Rachel: A Tribute to Rachel Held Evans

For Rachel: A Tribute to Rachel Held Evans

Last updated on: June 5, 2019 at 10:39 am by Matthew Distefano

For Rachel: A Tribute to Rachel Held Evans 2019-06-05T10:39:06-06:00 Matthew Distefano

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

On May 4, 2019, our friend and wildly popular author Rachel Held Evans passed away. At the time, I had no idea what to say. So, I said nothing. Instead, I partnered with my friends Meg Calvin, Jordan Butler, and Victoria Lybarger (under the name “The Unwonted”), and wrote a tribute song, which can be found at https://soundcloud.com/theunwonted/for-rachel. It is also embedded just below:

https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/821/2019/06/For-Rachel.mp3

The lyrics are below:

For Rachel

Quandaries of doctrine
Shook her foundation
Pressed pause on Sunday
And owned deconstruction

Thoughts of inclusion
Led to her own exclusion
Seeking more than her birthright
The view that’s black and white
And she thought, what if . . .

It’s meant to be read through the lens of Jesus
No need to ask for or earn the grace that saves us
And none are left out of the love that receives us
Don’t you look for a verse
Look to the example he gave us

Inspired toward action
She typed a new conversation
(That) Held accountable
The skewed institution

She spoke to the hearts
Of those on the margins
Encouraged a faith
Magnified by questions

And she taught, what if . . .

It’s meant to be read through the lens of Jesus
No need to ask for or earn the grace that saves us
And none are left out of the love that receives us
Don’t you look for a verse, look to the example he gave us

Will you pick up the torch
And continue to burn down
Lies about truth
Lies about who
The church is meant for
Quit shutting doors
And pick up the torch

It’s meant to be read through the lens of Jesus
Don’t you look for a verse, look to the example he gave us.

Rest in peace, Rachel.

Eshet Chayil!

Previous Post

May 15, 2019

Introducing The Bonfire Sessions Podcast

Next Post

June 24, 2019 To the Well-Meaning Christians, Please Stop

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Atonement Book Review Early Church Eschatology eternal torment Hell Hermeneutics LGBTQ+ Mimetic Theory Mysticism News Old Testament Podcast Poetry Politics Prayer Religion Sacrifice Satire Soteriology Theology Uncategorized Violence

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 June 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the book of songs and prayers in the Bible called?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Genesis Psalms Proverbs Matthew

Books by This Author Books by All Set Free

See All Titles »