As she was being admitted to the hospital for mysterious
ailments, Rachel Held Evans posted a final Tweet to her
170,000 followers, appealing to those who are “the praying
type.” In typical fashion, she added a lament: “I’m totally
going to miss [Game of Thrones]!” Two weeks later, on May
4, 2019, came the astonishing news of her sudden death at
thirty-seven, leaving behind a beloved husband and two
young children. The outpouring of grief-stricken tributes was
evidence of the deep impact she made in her short life.
Evans grew up in Dayton, Tennessee, home of the “Scope’s
Monkey Trial” of 1925. That famous conflict between biblical
faith and science loomed large in her lifelong struggle to
reconcile the evangelical faith of her upbringing with her own
questing mind and heart. “I have come to regard with some
suspicion those who claim that the Bible never troubles them.
I can only assume this means they haven’t actually read it.”
In a series of books and blog posts, she became an outspoken
advocate for Jesus’ spirit of “outrageous compassion,” inclusivity, and empowerment of marginalized voices. She challenged
her own evangelical community’s compromises with white
supremacy, misogyny, and rejection of LGBTQ people. She
became a source of inspiration and encouragement to countless people struggling to find their home in the Christian
story, opening paths for Christians and seekers of all stripes
to live their faith with greater courage, integrity, and joy.
“This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and
oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy
or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes.
And there’s always room for more.” —Rachel Held Evans
