Rosaria Butterfield

The Authority of Scripture

Butterfield underscores the importance of the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, which claims that the Bible, being inspired by God, is free from error. She argues that this belief is crucial for maintaining a sound Christian faith and resisting contemporary moral and spiritual relativism. 'The authority and inerrancy of Holy Scripture are the bedrock upon which true Christianity stands,' she asserts, emphasizing the need for unwavering adherence to biblical teachings.

Stand Firm in Biblical Truth

Regularly immerse yourself in Scripture to discern and counter the lies that permeate society. Active engagement with the Bible helps you recognize distortions of truth and strengthens your faith.

Engage with Courage

Participate in societal discourse with a humble yet firm stance on biblical truths. Instead of retreating, voice your beliefs and confront falsehoods respectfully but assertively.

Foster Genuine Community Support

Seek and offer support within your church community, ensuring it remains a safe space for repentance and growth rather than one that affirms sinful patterns.

Practice Modesty Actively

Engage in modest dress, speech, and conduct to safeguard your spiritual health and that of your community. Modesty is an active grace that combats scandal and temptation.

Manage Social Media Wisely

Use social media responsibly and avoid airing grievances publicly. Ensure your interactions online reflect Christian virtues of grace and reconciliation, as Butterfield advises against letting the Internet escalate conflicts.

Proclaiming the truth, living in humble obedience to the word, and professing faith in Jesus Christ is what honors God.

Lies do not coexist with truth but rather corrupt it.

Changing the definition of personhood is ungodly and unloving. It has led to all manner of lost souls, broken families, and theological heresy.

The world is always trying to replace Christianity with a spiritual counterfeit that is another religion entirely.

Know and abide in God’s word so that the truth will set us free.

God’s design for women determines our roles and our priorities.

You repent because you—and everyone around you—made heroes out of mere men and then watched them morph into heretics.

The creation ordinance not only describes how men and women are created distinctly and by God’s design; it defines what it means to be human.

We all live in Babel now because people exchanged the truth for lies and have codified these lies into the law of the land.

Whatever is not commanded in Scripture is prohibited in worship, for the purpose of guarding against idolatry.

Over time, the triage method easily places all second-tier matters into third-tier.

Intersectionality claims to create community, but the community it creates is fractured, victim-minded, angry, and inconsolable.

The only way you can hate your sin without hating yourself is through union with Christ.

True Christians believe God’s word over their feelings.

Sympathy identifies an objective problem and seeks an objective solution.

How do I tell you about my conversion to Christianity without making it sound like an alien abduction or a train wreck?

The Psalms are the words of Christ. Christ is the word (logos) made flesh.

When Christ is at the center of our marriage, Kent’s headship and my submission has allowed us to be a functional team.

Confronting Cultural Lies

Rosaria Butterfield argues that Christians must actively confront cultural lies that permeate society, rather than passively accepting them. She likens these lies to air pollution, subtly affecting our consciousness until it’s too late. Butterfield emphasizes the need for Christians to reclaim gospel-centered truth and address falsehoods in public discourse and within churches. She states, 'unconfronted lies work a little like air pollution: we breathe it in, and we never realize that we are ingesting it until it's too late.'

Power of Open Conversations

Rosaria Butterfield emphasizes the transformative potential of honest and respectful dialogue. Her spiritual journey began with a conversation initiated by Pastor Ken Smith, who invited her to explore faith questions over dinner. This respectful interaction allowed Butterfield to question her prejudices and opened her mind to new perspectives. 'Had a pastor named Ken Smith not shared the gospel with me for years and years...I might never have met the most unlikely of friends, Jesus Christ himself.'

Redefinition of Personhood

Butterfield critiques the modern redefinition of personhood, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ identities, which she believes places sexual desires at the core of personal identity. She contrasts this with the biblical view that our identity is rooted in bearing the image of God. 'LGBTQ+ describes who someone is rather than how someone feels,' she argues, highlighting the shift from a biblical anthropology to one influenced by figures like Freud.

The Role of the Church in a Changing Society

Butterfield discusses the dangers of the church adopting secular vocabulary and ideals, which she believes leads to theological compromise. She illustrates this with the case of teacher Peter Vlaming, who was fired for not adhering to pronoun laws, reflecting how deeply normalized and enforced these ideologies have become. 'A word can be exchanged for synonyms, but a keyword is implemented with religious exactitude,' she notes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining biblical language and concepts.

Embracing Identity Struggles

Butterfield discusses the painful yet necessary process of re-evaluating one's identity when undergoing a significant transformation like conversion. Once identifying proudly as a lesbian and feminist scholar, her new faith compelled her to reassess and relinquish these identities. She speaks candidly about the turmoil involved: 'I often wonder: God, why pick me? I didn’t ask to be a Christian convert.' This journey illuminates the grueling yet essential process of forging a new identity aligned with one's evolving beliefs.

Empathy vs. Sympathy

Butterfield makes a crucial distinction between empathy and sympathy, advocating for the latter in dealing with sin. She suggests that empathy, which involves deeply identifying with others' experiences, can lead to endorsing or tolerating sin. Instead, she posits that sympathy allows one to stand on objective truth and offer genuine help. 'Sympathy recognizes a problem that someone else has, and sympathy grieves and longs for a solution,' she explains.

Biblical Submission and Gender Roles

Butterfield emphasizes the importance of adhering to biblical gender roles and submission, which she views as protective and empowering rather than oppressive. She argues that true submission is tied to Christian faithfulness and provides historical examples like Jenny Geddes to illustrate this point. 'A godly woman’s best defense against a potentially abusive husband is church membership in a biblically faithful church where she is a member in good standing,' she asserts.

Importance of Community Support

The role of a supportive community is pivotal in Butterfield's conversion and continued spiritual growth. She leaned heavily on the counsel of the women in her church, who provided honest and candid guidance. 'There is no such thing as an independent Christian. Nobody goes into battle alone.' This illustrates how communal support facilitates personal transformation, offering the necessary guidance and encouragement during arduous times.

The Destructive Power of Envy

Butterfield discusses envy as a deeply destructive emotion that distorts human behavior and societal norms. She draws a controversial parallel between envy and transgenderism, suggesting that the desire to change one’s gender is rooted in envy. 'Transgenderism is the sin of envy with a host of enablers, some of them calling themselves Christian,' she claims, highlighting the severe consequences of societal endorsements of such identities.

Continuous Repentance and Growth

Butterfield highlights that repentance and spiritual growth are ongoing processes, not one-time events. She shares, 'One doesn’t repent for a sin of identity in one session. Sins of identity have multiple dimensions.' This calls for continuous self-reflection and a commitment to addressing various facets of sin, supported by biblical teachings and community accountability.

Hospitality and Vulnerability

The book also underscores the importance of hospitality and vulnerability in forging meaningful connections. Ken and Floy Smith's sincere and open hospitality played a crucial role in Butterfield's journey. 'Ken made himself vulnerable to me in his prayer by humbling himself before this ‘God’ of his, and I took note of that.' Their willingness to be open and vulnerable created a safe space for genuine dialogue, leading to profound personal changes.

Adoption as a Christian Mission

Butterfield presents adoption through a theological lens, viewing it as a significant part of Christian mission. She explains, 'God is not crushing the dreams of parenthood when he deals the card of infertility. God is asking you to crush the idolatry of pregnancy.' Through her experiences, she highlights adoption's emotional complexities and its role in fulfilling God's broader mission for family and belonging.

Integrating Faith and Professional Life

Butterfield discusses the challenges and rewards of incorporating faith into her academic and professional life. Teaching at Geneva College allowed her to merge scholarly pursuits with Christian principles, creating meaningful connections. 'I knew that I was entering holy ground.' This balance led to a deeper sense of purpose, showing how faith can enrich professional endeavors.

Foster Meaningful Conversations

Engage in open and respectful dialogue with those who hold different beliefs. This can open minds and lead to mutual understanding, much like Butterfield’s interactions with Pastor Ken Smith.

Lean on Your Community

Actively seek support from a faith community. Participate in church activities and be open to receiving counsel and guidance, as Butterfield did with the women in her church.

Embrace Incremental Changes

Recognize that transformation is ongoing. Take small, deliberate steps towards your spiritual goals, allowing for gradual and authentic changes.

Practice Intentional Hospitality

Use hospitality to build deeper connections. Invite people into your home and create a welcoming atmosphere, fostering genuine interactions and shared humanity.

Integrate Faith into Daily Life

Weave spiritual principles into daily activities, whether through teaching, professional work, or personal interactions. Allow your faith to inform and enrich every aspect of your life.

The language normally used to describe this odd miracle does not work for me.

Wanting to understand is a theoretical statement; willing to do his will takes action.

We must obey in faith before we feel better or different.

No longer did I have to invent myself. One week later, when the fall 1999 school semester came around, I felt more ready to face the patterns and legacy of my past.

Betrayal deepens our love for Jesus (who will never betray us). Betrayal deepens our knowledge of Jesus and his sacrifice, obedience, and love.

I was suffering from my own sin, from the pride that was still rising high in my heart, and from my false sense of entitlement and deserved goods.

The problem with this is it assumes that these 'hard knocks' stand on their own. Everything filters through a worldview.

Worship is regulated by God's authority and for that reason, we are to do what God commands and not add to it in the formal worship of God.

Adoption always combines ambiguous loss with unrequested gain. An adopted child faces this paradox—this ambiguous grief—at each developmental stage.

Worship is the launching pad for life. And, through it, God equips us to do Kingdom work in the world.

Had a pastor named Ken Smith not shared the gospel with me for years and years...those questions might still be lodged in the crevices of my mind and I might never have met the most unlikely of friends, Jesus Christ himself.

My life as I knew it became train wrecked in April of 1999, at the age of 36—just a few weeks shy of 37.

Conversion is a heart-affair. Before we can come to Christ, we must empty ourselves of the false pride, blame-shifting, excuse-making, and self-deception that preoccupies our days and our relationships.

There is no such thing as an independent Christian. Nobody goes into battle alone.

No longer did I have to invent myself.

Never doubt in the darkness what God has promised in the light.

If God gave us a book of praise songs, who are we to add to them?

My unsaved neighbor needed Jesus more than this college student needed to hurl a few well-rehearsed epithets about the evils of public schools.

Adoption always combines ambiguous loss with unrequested gain.

Children bring other children. The children in our home brought other children into our home.

Pastor’s wives get the cream of the ministry, even as we sacrifice certain aspects of our personal, private, and family lives to have this.

God is not crushing the dreams of parenthood when he deals the card of infertility. God is asking you to crush the idolatry of pregnancy, to be sure. And, he is saying: Dream My dreams, not yours!

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for her.

When Christ is at the center, the distinct roles that we assume have allowed us to claim unity in Christian heritage... adoption into Christianity is the process by which we claim our heritage.

How do I tell you about my conversion to Christianity without making it sound like an alien abduction or a train wreck?

The Psalms are the words of Christ. Christ is the word (logos) made flesh.

When Christ is at the center of our marriage, Kent’s headship and my submission has allowed us to be a functional team.

The language normally used to describe this odd miracle does not work for me.

Wanting to understand is a theoretical statement; willing to do his will takes action.

We must obey in faith before we feel better or different.

No longer did I have to invent myself. One week later, when the fall 1999 school semester came around, I felt more ready to face the patterns and legacy of my past.

Betrayal deepens our love for Jesus (who will never betray us). Betrayal deepens our knowledge of Jesus and his sacrifice, obedience, and love.

I was suffering from my own sin, from the pride that was still rising high in my heart, and from my false sense of entitlement and deserved goods.

The problem with this is it assumes that these 'hard knocks' stand on their own. Everything filters through a worldview.

Worship is regulated by God's authority and for that reason, we are to do what God commands and not add to it in the formal worship of God.

Adoption always combines ambiguous loss with unrequested gain. An adopted child faces this paradox—this ambiguous grief—at each developmental stage.

Worship is the launching pad for life. And, through it, God equips us to do Kingdom work in the world.

Had a pastor named Ken Smith not shared the gospel with me for years and years...those questions might still be lodged in the crevices of my mind and I might never have met the most unlikely of friends, Jesus Christ himself.

My life as I knew it became train wrecked in April of 1999, at the age of 36—just a few weeks shy of 37.

Conversion is a heart-affair. Before we can come to Christ, we must empty ourselves of the false pride, blame-shifting, excuse-making, and self-deception that preoccupies our days and our relationships.

There is no such thing as an independent Christian. Nobody goes into battle alone.

No longer did I have to invent myself.

Never doubt in the darkness what God has promised in the light.

If God gave us a book of praise songs, who are we to add to them?

My unsaved neighbor needed Jesus more than this college student needed to hurl a few well-rehearsed epithets about the evils of public schools.

Adoption always combines ambiguous loss with unrequested gain.

Children bring other children. The children in our home brought other children into our home.

Pastor’s wives get the cream of the ministry, even as we sacrifice certain aspects of our personal, private, and family lives to have this.

God is not crushing the dreams of parenthood when he deals the card of infertility. God is asking you to crush the idolatry of pregnancy, to be sure. And, he is saying: Dream My dreams, not yours!

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for her.

When Christ is at the center, the distinct roles that we assume have allowed us to claim unity in Christian heritage... adoption into Christianity is the process by which we claim our heritage.

Proclaiming the truth, living in humble obedience to the word, and professing faith in Jesus Christ is what honors God.

Lies do not coexist with truth but rather corrupt it.

Changing the definition of personhood is ungodly and unloving. It has led to all manner of lost souls, broken families, and theological heresy.

The world is always trying to replace Christianity with a spiritual counterfeit that is another religion entirely.

Know and abide in God’s word so that the truth will set us free.

God’s design for women determines our roles and our priorities.

You repent because you—and everyone around you—made heroes out of mere men and then watched them morph into heretics.

The creation ordinance not only describes how men and women are created distinctly and by God’s design; it defines what it means to be human.

We all live in Babel now because people exchanged the truth for lies and have codified these lies into the law of the land.

Whatever is not commanded in Scripture is prohibited in worship, for the purpose of guarding against idolatry.

Over time, the triage method easily places all second-tier matters into third-tier.

Intersectionality claims to create community, but the community it creates is fractured, victim-minded, angry, and inconsolable.

The only way you can hate your sin without hating yourself is through union with Christ.

True Christians believe God’s word over their feelings.

Sympathy identifies an objective problem and seeks an objective solution.