BAD WORDS

304. CONNOR HOSEA with Dr. Laura Feb 17, 2025

In this episode of Bad Words, Janice and Dr. Laura Anderson dive deep into the 1997 Christian romance novel 'Redeeming Love' by Francine Rivers. They recount the events leading up to Chapters 7-9, critique the problematic portrayal of women, and discuss the intersections of purity culture, consent, and power dynamics. Alongside humorous takes, the hosts tackle serious conversations about the book's impact on evangelical thought and women's autonomy. Join in as they uncover the unsettling themes hidden within this supposedly romantic tale.

00:00 Introduction to Redeeming Love

00:14 Recap of Previous Events

00:37 Angel's Struggles and Michael's Persistence

01:28 Meet the Hosts: Janice and Laura

02:02 Laura's Personal Connection to the Book

03:01 Revisiting Redeeming Love: A Critical Perspective

09:31 Angel's Recovery and New Life with Michael

10:47 Analyzing the Book's Themes and Writing

26:23 The Voice of God and Personal Autonomy

35:36 The Bondage of Salvation

37:38 Analyzing Michael Hosea

42:49 The Concept of Choice

51:38 Purity Culture and Historical Context

55:28 Critique of Francine Rivers' Writing

01:06:16 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

303. THE HOT ONE AND HOT MILK with Stephen Feb 10, 2025

Join Janice (@godhasnotgiven), Melanie (@climbholamel) and Stephen (@stephengarton) as they delve into chapters 4 thru 6 of Francine Rivers’ questionable “romance” novel 'Redeeming Love.' Set in 1850s California, this episode covers Angel, an 18-year-old prostitute, and an odd marriage proposal from a farmer named Michael Hosea. Discussions also cover the book's problematic elements, including issues around consent, purity culture, and the unrealistic and non-progressive portrayal of characters. Despite the heavy and often outrageous content, the hosts provide detailed analysis and humorous commentary.

00:00 Introduction: Contrasting Lives

00:16 Setting the Scene: California 1850

00:32 Michael's Divine Encounter

01:18 Stephen's Reluctant Review

02:03 Discussing Francine Rivers' Works

06:05 Angel's Struggles and Michael's Persistence

08:32 The Wedding and Its Aftermath

09:46 Analyzing Character Dynamics

10:15 The Milk Controversy

15:55 Currency Confusion: Gold Dust and Dollars

38:15 Michael's Frustration and Angel's Defiance

47:08 The Value of Carrots and Milk

47:32 Plot Progression and Character Analysis

48:27 Predicting the Rescue

50:08 Michael's Journey and Angel's Fate

52:04 The Confrontation and Rescue

56:07 The Non-Consensual Wedding

01:00:16 Analyzing the Story's Themes

01:07:02 Critique of the Book's Audience and Message

01:21:16 Final Thoughts and Reflections

302. MORE THAN TRASH with Jenna Feb 03, 2025

In this episode of Bad Words, hosts Janice (@godhasnotgiven), Melanie (@climbholamel) and Jenna (@jencug) dissect the first three chapters of Francine Rivers' novel 'Redeeming Love'. They explore themes relating to the portrayal of women, the inherent guilt and shame promoted by purity culture, and the dynamics between male and female characters in the book. While also touching on the unrealistic and problematic aspects of the narrative, the discussion provides a critical lens on how evangelical ideology influences literature and society. Join the conversation as they uncover the hidden layers and implications of 'Redeeming Love'.

301. Redeeming Love: A SLOPPY SITUATION Jan 27, 2025

This episode of 'Bad Words' kicks off Season 3 with hosts Janice (@godhasnotgiven) and Melanie (@climbholamel) diving into their first admitted fiction book, 'Redeeming Love' by Francine Rivers.

The prologue reveals the tragic backstory of Sarah/Angel, exploring her complex relationships with her mother, absent father, and the traumas she faces. The hosts critique the literary value, character development, and potential messages to the 21st-century evangelical audience. The episode sets the stage for a detailed analysis of the book’s themes, characters, and narrative style.

225. KENDERELLA Dec 19, 2023

Are you a Barbie girl in a Barbie world or a Cinderella in an Eldredge fever dream?. Prepare to RSVP for an invitation you never wanted as we give chapter 12 of Captivating the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Captivating

Chapter: 12 of 12 | An Irreplaceable Role

Book Club Member: Chelsea

Instagram |@chelseakimlong

224. A SINGLE SENTENCE Dec 12, 2023

It’s a Neverending Story of how God speaks to John and only John about everything you need to know. Get ready to get all you need from a single sentence as we give chapter 11 of Wild At Heart the read that it deserves. (Finally 👀)

BAD BOOK: Wild At Heart

Chapter: 11 of 12 | An Adventure to Live

Book Club Member: Melanie

Instagram | @climbholamel

223. DIZZY SPELLS OF EXCLAMATION POINTS! Oct 16, 2023

If you wanna be a Princess Bride, you better be ready to fight like a Lord of the [wedding] rings! Prepare to be bummed out by the Eldredge marriage as we give chapter 11 of Captivating the read that it deserves!

BAD BOOK: Captivating

Chapter: 11 of 12 | Warrior Princesses

Book Club Member: Melanie

Instagram | @climbholamel

222. WHITE WALLS OF JERICHO Oct 09, 2023

A special bonus episode because bad things happen to words outside of books too. So we're talking about bad worship remakes, demonic takes and the bad theology beneath it all. (Early and with no ads for the People of Jod. Thank you ❤️)

BAD W🤬RDS: The Jericho -NO! "KIndgom Remake"

ACTUAL ART: JERICHO by Iniko

Book Club Member: Ashlee'

Instagram |@unashamedly_ashlee

221. THE MOTHER OF ALL FRENEMIES Oct 02, 2023

It’s time to Throw Mama From the Train and under the bus, Eldredge style, as we give chapter 10 of Captivating the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Captivating

Chapter: 10 of 12 | Mothers, Daughters, Sisters

Book Club Member: Libby

Instagram |@libbyrosebaugh

220. SPENDING ON AND SPILLING IN WOMEN Sep 25, 2023

It’s Into The Woods on a safari of the heart for men who love (and love like) grim fairytales. Prepare to be driven to drink as we give chapter 10 of Wild At Heart the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Wild At Heart

Chapter: 10 of 12 | A Beauty To Love

Book Club Member: Natalia

Instagram |@nterfa

219. NO TIME FOR TAMAR Sep 11, 2023

The actual factual title of chapter 9 is Arousing Adam and nothing will ever be worse than that. So prepare to cringe cringes bigger than you could ever ask or imagine as we give chapter 9 of Captivating the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Captivating

Chapter: 9 of 12 | Arousing Adam

Book Club Member: Tim

Instagram |@thenewevangelicals

218. UNDER INCONGRUENT ATTACK Sep 04, 2023

It’s a Band of “oh brother 🙄” where the point of manhood is to Save Private Ryan from all manner of imaginary frenemies. Get ready to go to war with all sorts of war stories as we give chapter 9 of Wild At Heart the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Wild At Heart

Chapter: 9 of 12 | A Battle To Fight: The Strategy

Book Club Member: Dan

Instagram |@dkauchick

217. AN OPEN GRAVE Aug 22, 2023

Indiana Jones and Unveiling of Beauty. Starring Harrison Ford and Daniel Day-Lewis as men of your dreams (obviously). You better hope you have the strength of a man as we give chapter 8 of Captivating the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Captivating

Chapter: 8 of 12 | Beauty to Unveil

Book Club Member: Lo

Instagram |@lmoshwhipp

216. CARL. SABOTAGE. THE BRAKES. Aug 14, 2023

It’s Fight Club and the number one rule is whatever William Wallace says it is. Get ready to meet the devil in traffic as we give chapter 8 of Wild At Heart the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Wild At Heart

Chapter: 8 of 12 | A Battle To Fight: The Enemy

Book Club Member: Tori

Instagram |@whitehomework

215. ROMANCE(ICK) Jul 31, 2023

How to Lose a Guy in 10 days and a God in Seven Chapters. Starring Father God and Brother Jesus as the love of your life. Prepare to be grossed out as we give chapter 7 of Captivating the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Captivating

Chapter: 7 of 12 | Romanced

Book Club Member: Ashlee’

Instagram |@unashamedly_ashlee

214. MAIN CHARACTER SYNDROME Jul 24, 2023

Wounded? Just snuggle up with John E. and his MotherFathering God (and watch out for those undertones!) as we give chapter 7 of Wild At Heart the read that it deserves.

BAD BOOK: Wild At Heart

Chapter: 7 of 12 | Healing The Wound

Book Club Member: Justin

Instagram |@justin.gentry

213. SWEET HARRY DANGER Jul 03, 2023

One of my bright** ideas for this season was to double up on some chapters to get both a masc and femme perspective, so before we fully jump into the second half, here’s a new episode of an old chapter. Let’s get dangerous and give Chapter 1 of Wild at Heart another read that it deserves with Bella.

BAD BOOK: Wild At Heart

Chapter: 1 of 12 | Wild At Heart

Book Club Member: Bella

Instagram | @kristc.png

Produced & Edited by Janice Lagata | @godhasnotgiven

janicelagata.com

LINKS TO ALL THE THINGS

**overly ambitious and time consuming

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