This week we finish our discussion about The Handmaid’s Tale, a novel by Margaret Atwood that was published in the 80’s and has become an icon for reproductive rights and feminist literature.

One of the biggest troubles we face in the pop-culture status the book and show has garnered is how it portrays certain passages in the Old Testament. Today we discuss the ancient Near East practice that is a central plot point of the story and think through how we, as Christians, should read about sinful things our fathers in the faith did. We also dive in to Atwood’s view of the world, religion, and politics. Why is her novel so relevant to our culture today? Join us!

Episode Navigation

1:00 Feminism and our current climate in Atwood’s own words.

8:50 A little insight into what it means to be Jerry.

15:20 We dive back into the discussion & why it matters to us.

19:30 Worldview matters.

22:30 What is the patriarchy anyway?

25:15 The first story of the “handmaid” in the Bible being given for sexual slavery.

37:00 A misunderstanding of Christian hierarchy.

40:20 Atwood’s political and theological argument.

52:27 Ultimately, a Christian society in The Handmaid’s Tale is that women must be oppressed. We reject that and discuss why.

1:03:33 The world can’t abandon its need for God. We are not happier since trying to kick him out.

1:09:08 Reproductive freedom and what it actually means.

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