What happens when the idealised image of motherhood meets the lived reality? In this episode, we sit down with Director of Theos, Chine McDonald to explore the complexities of motherhood and faith. Chine shares her personal journey, from growing up in evangelical churches with rigid gender roles to navigating the expectations and challenges of motherhood. We delve into the ways theology has often sidelined maternal experiences, how cultural depictions of Mary have shaped ideas of motherhood, and how embracing imperfection might be a form of grace.
Following the interview Joy Brooks and Tim Nash ponder their own experiences of parenthood and its intersection with their evolving faith.
Interview starts at 13m 13s
WEBSITE
SOCIALS
BOOKS
God Is Not a White Man: And Other Revelations
Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood
BOOKS MENTIONED
Motherhood and God – Margaret Hebblethwaite
QUOTES
“I had this sense that it was kind of the pinnacle of womanhood, that you could have all the success in your career that you wanted, you could be as clever as you wanted, you’d have as many friends, as much money as you wanted, but if you weren’t a mother, that you were missing the ultimate in some way.”
“I think motherhood and theology have remained separate for much of the past few centuries, millennia even, because theology has been a male pursuit.”
“It’s strange that in motherhood anything slightly less than perfect is considered failure when in so many other areas of life we allow for imperfection.”
“What is so difficult and challenging for so many women and mothers is that they think everyone else is okay, that everyone else is happy and shiny, that no one else is experiencing this sense of inadequacy.”
