In this concise, and compelling book, that's precisely what Geitz does.
Understanding that divine images are foundational to our worldview, Geitz begins her book by countering the Fake News that the Bible represents God as exclusively or predominantly male. This representation "perpetuates the Fake News that God is male", resulting in a patriarchal worldview that supports gender inequality and many other intersecting injustices. The belief that God is male is "Fake News of the worst sort". The truth of female images of the Divine in the Bible, she writes, "will change not only us, but the world in which we live".
Geitz elucidates numerous biblical female images of the Divine, and she practices what she believes about the importance of these images by referring to "Divine Mother". One of my favorite biblical divine female images is the comforting Mother: "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you" (Isaiah 66.13). After her reflection on this image, Geitz invites us to experience this truth: "Your Divine Mother can comfort you now, and more, much more than you can even ask or imagine. What would it feel like to put yourself in the presence of our Divine Mother?" Here are some of the many other biblical divine female images included in Spiritual Truth: woman in labor (Isaiah 42.14); Mother Eagle (Exodus 19.3-4); Mother Rock (Deuteronomy 32.18); Midwife (Psalm 22.9-10); Mother Bear (Hosea 13.14); Mother Hen (Luke 13.34); and woman with lost coin (Luke 15.8-9).
Countering the biblical misinterpretations that support sexism, Geitz points to Genesis 1.27 on the creation of male and female as equals in the image of God: "The fullness, the beauty, the equality of male and female inherent in this passage have been ignored throughout history, perpetuating the Fake News that women are inferior to men". She lifts up Jesus' words (Mark 10.5-6) and actions (Luke 8.1-3, Mark 16.9-10) to underscore the truth of male and female as equals. Also, she points to distortions of some of Paul's teaching as "Fake News of the worst sort", and illustrates the True News with Paul's naming Junia as an apostle (Romans 16.7) and working with Phoebe and Prisca as equal partners in spreading the gospel. (Romans 16.1-3).
In much the same way, she then explores white supremacy and racism, homophobia and anti-Semitism as distortions of the Truth of the Good News found in the Bible.
I highly recommend this little book to those who continue to struggle with the fake news perpetuated in our society -- particularly those who give all that fake news a biblical foundation. Written in a clear, accessible style from a pastor's heart, this book inspires and invites us to spread the truth that sets people free to become all we're created to be in the divine image.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.