LAUNCH DAY

Better Ways to Read the Bible is out!

Public Theology is based on the work of Zach W. Lambert, Pastor of Restore, an inclusive church in Austin, Texas. He and his wife, Amy Lambert, contribute to and moderate this account.

All of the content available at Public Theology is for those who identify as Christian, as well as those who might be interested in learning about a more inclusive, kind, thoughtful Christianity. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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The day is finally here! Better Ways to Read the Bible has officially launched into the world.

The past few months have been a blur, but here’s the gist:

You all have supported us and this book with such generosity and kindness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you’re in or near Austin, please join us for the launch party tonight, August 12, at Book People.

And you can now order your copy wherever books are sold! Baker continues to have the best deal (that we have seen) at $11.99. If you read it (and like it 😊) we would be so grateful for a review on Goodreads and/or wherever you purchase.

The Bible for Normal People class

Zach will be teaching a class for The Bible for Normal People Summer School series on Thursday, August 21st.

Class description:

“The Bible has too often been used as a weapon to subjugate women, justify racism, harm LGBTQ+ people, and cover up abuse. In Anti-Apologetics 101: Better Ways to Read the Bible, Zach W. Lambert invites us to read the Bible differently by dismantling four harmful interpretive lenses—Literalism, Apocalypse, Moralism, and Hierarchy—and replacing them with life-giving alternatives—Jesus, Context, Flourishing, and Fruitfulness—offering a more Christlike, justice-centered approach to Scripture that leads to healing and liberation instead of harm.

Topics We’ll Cover:

• What is the Bible, really?

• Identifying and dismantling harmful interpretations of the Bible

• Discovering and implementing healthy interpretations of the Bible

• Engaging with difficult biblical texts like the Canaanite Genocide or the admonition in 1 Timothy 2:12, “I do not permit a woman to teach.”

This class includes:

• One-night live class

• Live Q+A session

• Link to class recording

• Downloadable class slides”

The class is currently available on a pay-as-you-can basis. Click here for additional details and to register.

Fall schedule

Zach will be traveling to a few cities this fall. Click here for a full list of events.

Wild Goose Festival
Saturday, August 30
Harmony, NC

Church on Morgan
Sunday, August 31
Raleigh, NC

DFW Post Evangelical regional meeting
Friday, September 12
Fort Worth, TX

Denver Community Church
Sunday, October 12
Denver, CO

More details to come!

Better Ways to Read the Bible in the wild

Marginalia with Beth Allison Barr:

Better Ways to Read the Bible Releases Tomorrow!

Pete Enns at Odds and Enns:

A Guest Substack by Zach Lambert

J.S. Park - Hospital Chaplain:

Guest Post: Is Church a Place to Grieve?

Kids + Faith with Meredith Miller:

Kids Deserve Better Ways to Read the Bible

Lastly, we are happy to cover subscription costs for anyone who can’t afford it at this time. If you would like to join the Public Theology community and gain access to our paid subscriber content (which we keep behind a paywall for the privacy and connection of our community) but cannot afford to do so, please message Amy Lambert directly.