An Interview with Rachel Held Evans
Emerging Women is honored to feature an interview with Rachel Held Evans, author of Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask the Questions (Zondervan, 2010). Rachel’s book is getting some great and widespread press (and is just straight-up a good read), so I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce her to the community here at Emerging Women. I’ve been impressed by her ability to graciously tackle controversial issues in ways that promote dialogue – a rare skill in our polarized world. And don’t miss the chance below to win a copy of her book!
First, tell us a little bit about yourself—where you live, what you do.
I live with my husband Dan in Dayton, Tennessee—home of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. We’re both self-employed. I write books and articles from the dining room table and he runs a video production business from the basement. The most interesting place I’ve been is India, though my faith journey has taken me on a strange ride as well—from a place of absolute certainty, through a dark time of doubt, to a path where I am free to explore and grow and change. I blog at http://rachelheldevans.com.
Can you describe Evolving in Monkey Town in a couple of sentences?
Evolving in Monkey Town is about growing up in the apologetics-drive evangelical subculture of the 80sand 90s and then wrestling with doubts about my faith as a young adult. It’s about learning how to embrace those shades of gray after years of thinking in black and white.
What prompted you to write the book?
Well, I dressed up as an author for career day in third grade, so writing a book has been on my mind for a while! I decided to focus on this part of my story after reconnecting with old friends who said they struggled with some of the same questions and doubts after graduating from college. It seems to me that young evangelicals across the country are experiencing a sort of collective crisis of faith. When I first started asking questions about Christianity, I longed for a friend that could relate, so my hope is that Evolving in Monkey Town will be that friend for readers who are on a similar journey. I’ve heard from a lot of people who say they feel like I’ve shared “our story,” not just my own, and that makes me feel like I accomplished that goal
What has been the hardest question you have had to wrestle with in your faith journey?
Gosh. You name it, I’ve had a faith crisis over it! Coming from Dayton, the evolution issue was a big one. I struggled with some feelings of betrayal when I learned that rather than being a bogus theory made up by a bunch of godless scientist, evolution makes a lot of sense and is supported by the data. Working through the implications of this is an ongoing process, but I’ve found a lot of support from places like the BioLogos Foundation.
Perhaps the most troubling issue for me has been questions related to religious pluralism. I grew up with the assumption that all non-Christians (including those who never heard the gospel….as well as Catholics) went to hell for eternity. Even as a child this bothered me, especially after I realized this meant that people like Anne Frank would suffer eternally at the hands of an angry God. When these doubts resurfaced in college, they were dismissed as representing a lack of faith on my part. While I have come to hold a more optimistic view of God’s love for the world, I still have to deal with people who continue to insist that God will damn most people to hell for either being born at the wrong place and the wrong time or for not being among the elect. This still gets under my skin.
Was it difficult to share your story so openly with the world and has that caused you any trouble along the way?
The book has been really well received outside of Dayton, and the friends and family closest to me are incredibly supportive… but of course there’s been some gossip around town about my rumored plunge down the slippery slope! Fortunately, my “target audience” of fellow skeptics seems to get it, and that’s all that really matters to me.
How has your perception of what it means to be a woman in the church evolved on this journey as well?
Growing up I was just so confused by all the mixed messages girls receive from the church about their “biblical roles” that I never knew exactly what it meant for me to be a woman of faith. Fortunately, my mom has always been a strong-willed and free-thinking woman, so taking cues from her, I just sorta made my own way in life. I strongly support women taking leadership positions in all areas of church life and I am really lucky/blessed/fortunate/whatever to be part of a small missional church plant here in Dayton that supports that.
What other books have helped you along your faith journey? And/or what women (writers, mentors, friends) have shaped you along the way?
I love me some Flannery O’Conner, Annie Dillard, Anne Lamott, Sara Miles, and Phyllis Tickle. Also really enjoyed “How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith” by Crystal Downing and “Everyday Justice” by that Julie Clawson chick. I have a copy of “Doubt: A History” by Jennifer Hecht on my bookshelf, but that’s mostly just to impress people.
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And yes, her plug of my book was completely unsolicited. 
Rachel would love for one of the readers here to win a free copy of her book. To enter to win just leave a comment here by midnight next Tuesday August 17 and we will randomly choose a winner. Now, you could just leave a “I want to win” comment, but it might be more interesting if we took the opportunity to share some of the big questions we have wrestled with or simply ask Rachel a question. So good luck winning the book, and thank you Rachel for sharing with us a bit of who you are!
***Update 8/19 – The contest has now ended. Congrats to Rachel T. for winning the book! ***
- Julie Clawson
August 11th, 2010 at 9:46 am
I can relate to so much of this, I’d love to read your book, Rachel. I’m sure the subtitle describes so many of us skeptics. My question is… what makes Christianity still worth it to you? Having learned to ask the questions, sometimes I wonder why I still bother with the “Christian” label given that my faith is so much more fluid and open that it was before. I think part of it has to do with familiarity, for me. Christianity is a language I know, so I stick with it, but sometimes that doesn’t feel like enough.
I can relate on the evolution issue as well, I remember being shocked when I walked into my first geography course at my Christian university and evolution was accepted as a matter of course, i.e. why couldn’t God have used evolution to create the world. A far cry from my high school biology class.
August 11th, 2010 at 10:30 am
A timely and much needed book on a topic most shun. I appreciate the candor with which Rachel speaks and look forward to reading her book! As a Christian born into the Orthodox Christian faith and raised in evangelical churches – in multi-cultural Malaysia!!, the spin my head’s been through truly requires a balm such as this
August 11th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I’m so glad Rachel’s book is getting such widespread notice! I have struggled with many of the things Rachel mentions.
I think it is important to show, as you do, that her struggles aren’t strictly about evolution. They are about a host of things that are staples of the conservative evangelical movement but somehow don’t ring true, either with her or with me.
Religious pluralism, biblical inerrancy and orthdoxy (“right” theology) are all things I struggle with in my faith journey. Being able to ask questions is crucial to having a strong faith and/or belief system. Thanks to Rachel for telling her story and thereby encouraging others to explore their faith.
Thanks to you for promoting her work!
August 11th, 2010 at 11:29 am
I’ve always found the “absolutes” that are found in many of the Christian churches (including the one I grew up in) to raise more questions than they answer. In a way, it is almost humorous to hear a myriad of denominations state with absolute certainty that THEY ONLY have the one and only way.
I’m currently reading Skye Jethani’s book “The Divine Commodity”. In it, he talks about how as we attempt to define and script who and what God is and says, we degrade God into a “commodity”. To quote:
“[When] we utter phrases like ‘God always …,’ ‘God never ……,’ ‘God only….,’ and even ‘God hates ……,’ we show that we don’t view God as a great mystery anymore, but as a sterile calculation without ambiguity or obscurity. And, not surprisingly, this definitive God usually conforms nicely to our personal desires and politics.”
I’d love to read Rachel’s book! Sounds like an excellent resource.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Thanks for this. What an important voice in a still male dominated, fundamentalistic Christianity that certainly needs to get pulled up by its roots, thrown up in the air, renewed and fundamentally changed in so many ways, and this is part of making that happen. So thanks and continue making voice, it gives many of us fresh air to breath. from a small voice over in Sweden:)
Oh and the book, I will put a link about this up on my blog and facebook sometime soon.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Jessica – Thanks for the thoughtful question. There have been plenty of times when I’ve considered giving up on Christianity altogether, but what keeps drawing me back is Jesus. When I read the Gospels and consider what the world would be like if we really followed his teachings, my heart is filled with hope and my imagination goes crazy! It helps when I see other Christ-followers trying (and often failing) to do this Christianity thing together, in community. The Church is broken in a lot of ways, but it’s not dead yet. I keep returning to the Church because of that persistent, stubborn hope that maybe it will be better tomorrow.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
This book echoes so much of my experience. After 4 years in a Christian college (less conservative than my background, but still conservative by most standards), I am beginning to wonder if this has become the new Christian coming-of-age story in conservative circles.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:59 am
So I plan on reading Rachel’s book as soon as I can get my hand on a copy! I grew up relatively conservative and then studied religion at a secular university. It made me struggle with big questions about faith, culture, and the things I had believed. One Im working through right now is the way I view the Bible. I believe it to be true, but Im not sure if its true in the way we have always defined truth as. The OT is Jewish Cultural History and doesnt always make sense as a timeline of events. Im not sure right now about a lot of things, but Im learning its ok. I still love God and believe in Jesus as Lord. Honestly, my doubt has put me in a better place ( I believe) then where I was when I thought I had it figured out. Anyway would love to read the book!
August 12th, 2010 at 1:01 am
Well, all I can say is…
As a conservative Christian/Messianic who believes in creation science, I’d be interested to read a bit more about what the “other side” (for lack of a better phrase) thinks without being bashed for believing the Bible literally meant 7 day creation.
My situation is actually the complete opposite of this, but could still be compared. I grew up around, and was most influenced by reformed Christians who did believe in evolution. Once I got older, I started thinking a bit differently and began to have a more conservative look on things. Surprisingly, I received a lot of hurtful responses for my change in theology, and I was quite often compared to the typical hateful “southern baptist” (which was very false).
I’d be interested in seeing how someone’s struggle during a change in faith can compare to the struggles and change in faith of someone else who has an opposing belief system.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Great subtitle. Best of luck with the book.
Lynn
http://www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
August 12th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Julie & Rachel,
I have to say that I don’t have those same struggles… what troubles me is the number of folk who have such a narrow definition of “Christian,” so as to require those choices. Certainly there are some brands or strains of Christianity that require you to believe that all non-Christians are going to hell, women can’t speak in church, evolution is a theory put forth by Satan, etc. etc. BUT there are also brands/strains in the church for whom those are not issues at all.
I hope Rachel’s book opens some doors for folk who are struggling and enables them to consider options other than Biblical literalism as truly Christian.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I recently have started a discussion with a friend about where God came from and the need for faith. And it has been a struggle for him to let go of his faith in evolution and that we came from monkeys. Maybe he needs to read Rachel’s experiences! Looks like an amazing read.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I so agree with Rachel’s battle. I believe we grew up in much of the same way and even did some of that growing up together in Birmingham at PCA!! I think we are not taught to think critically and ask questions. Then as we become adults we are left to become outcast if we question or just swallow what we have been taught all along and go with the flow. I personally like going against the grain…I want to be truly convinced of what I believe. Thanks for opening the door for us to be able to voice the questions even when others may not be so comfortable with the answers!! I really hope to win your book…I know it will be a great read and stretch me as a person!!
August 12th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Growing up in conservative evangelical Christianity in the 1960s and 70s I viewed everything in simple black and white. I am so thankful that in my fifties and sixties I began enjoying the journey into the gray lands of “I don’t have all the answers.” Questioning the way I walked out my faith used to frighten me. Now, I discovered it is actually a wind that lifts me closer to the God.
Bravo to all like Rachel who find the freedom to explore, grow, and change.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
I’d love to have a book from a Christian hipster.
August 12th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I haven’t read this book yet, but would love to. When she says, “When I first started asking questions about Christianity, I longed for a friend that could relate, so my hope is that Evolving in Monkey Town will be that friend for readers who are on a similar journey.” I think that Rachel accomplished this. It is the reason that I read these blogs and books. Surrounded as I am by the “Religious Right” in Colorado–it is so nice to relate to these writers and be able to feel that you’re not alone in your feelings and you’re not just a faith-less loser on the road to hell because your thoughts don’t match up w/a lot that comes from the pulpit (or because you aren’t a card-carrying Republican).
August 12th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I want to win.
August 12th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Just finished “Thou Shalt Not Love.” Next on my list: “Evolving In Monkey Town.”
Hoping for the sequel, “Jamming in ‘Monkee’ Town.”
August 12th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I want to win because I want to give a copy of this book to so many people I know. Feel like it is my story too.
August 12th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Gotta read this and all of the books on the list…..that’s why I need that one free book.
(oldest living hipster)
August 12th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Thanks for the interview…I’m looking forward to reading Rachel’s book!
August 13th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Rachel, I read your blog so I am interested in reading your book. I struggled with doubt in my 20s (some 25 years ago). It was a gruelling experience, but one that has served me well at the same time. I’m thankful to still have faith today. Look forward to what your book has to share on the subject. wb
And thank you, Julie, for the interview!
August 13th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
I think one of my biggest questions right now is about the whole question of heaven / hell and who gets in and who doesn’t. It seems like the church sometimes is very quick to draw the lines at where the cut off is. I’m always living the tension of dealing with my very conservative friends and also wanting to be able to encourage my friends who are seeking and who don’t fall into the neat catagories. So often I hear from my conservative friends “well if they are gay they are obviously NOT christians…” etc. I appreciate Rachel’s willingness to wrestle with the issues. I’m finding myself increasingly becoming more vocal in hopes that others will feel safer to share their stories as well.
August 15th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I highly recommend this book be added to your reader recommended: IS IT STILL MURDER? (If Someone Is Killed and the Officials Refuse to Investigate, IS IT STILL MURDER?) This is a commentary on a small town where the unthinkable occurred and a few local officials conspired to conceal the act by blaming the victim (a mother and grandmother)of shooting herself, thus protecting her law-officer son and state officials of scandal. The protagonist is a newborn Christian (victim’s daughter) who tenaciously seeks truth against great odds and discovers it, only to find that the entire town prefers Denial, rather than acknowledge (“we’ve always known…”)publicly, which would then require responsibility. Her Christian wisdom has grown through her journey-to-truth, ultimately understanding Jesus’ words of, “Oh Jerusalem, how I would have gathered you…but you would not.”
August 16th, 2010 at 7:52 am
I’d love to read this book. I usually find that when I don’t think I have an issue with something, if I read a book about it I end up having an issue after all. It changes me. Change is good.
August 16th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Hey Rachel, would love to read your book — hope I win!! I’m wondering how you dealt with the negativity sent your way by those who thought you had gone off the proverbial church rails?
August 17th, 2010 at 8:15 am
This book keeps moving higher and higher up my reading list. It sounds so much like my own story.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I think I grew up in monkey town too (though not in Scopes). Hope I win!
February 1st, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Hi, my name is Stephen, i’m 28 (almost 29) and i am from the United Kingdom. Having my own company in the travel business. I struggled with my gay feelings my whole life, as it is not really accepted in my family (i am Christian) and some close friends now don’t want to know me anymore. I’m a very shy person. Looking for other people to get in touch, meet and probably more :p. My e-mail and MSN is trophymania@hotmail.co.uk (i have a webcam). Stephen Linden-Wyatt
May 19th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
I pretty much like numerous other men out there loathe this system, it can have its faults… get behind a day and experience it virtually all year long, in a literal sense.
August 4th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
AfxZkL thanx big man
November 9th, 2011 at 5:34 am
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November 15th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
I appreciate the insightful post. Thanks.
December 8th, 2011 at 5:15 am
Great blog! I really love how it’s easy on my eyes as well as the information are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which ought to do the trick! Have a nice day!
February 5th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Bookmarked…
It was wholly by accident when I discovered the link on Digg, having said that I was glad I did…