"Candice Marie Benbow is a once-in-a-generation theologian, the kind who, having ground dogma into dust with the fine point of a stiletto, leads us into the wide-open spaces of faith."--Brittney Cooper, author of Eloquent Rage and co-editor of The Crunk Feminist Collection
Blurring the boundaries of righteous and irreverent, Red Lip Theology invites us to discover freedom in a progressive Christian faith that incorporates activism, feminism, and radical authenticity. Essayist and theologian Candice Marie Benbow's essays explore universal themes like heartache, loss, forgiveness, and sexuality, and she unflinchingly empowers women who struggle with feeling loved and nurtured by church culture.
Benbow writes powerfully about experiences at the heart of her Black womanhood. In honoring her single mother's love and triumphs--and mourning her unexpected passing--she finds herself forced to shed restrictions she'd been taught to place on her faith practice. And by embracing alternative spirituality and womanist theology, and confronting staid attitudes on body positivity and LGBTQ+ rights, Benbow challenges religious institutions, faith leaders, and communities to reimagine how faith can be a tool of liberation and transformation for women and girls.
Melissa Harris-Perry is the Maya Angelou Presidential Chair in the department of politics and international affairs and the department of women, gender, and sexuality studies at Wake Forest University.
Deesha Philyaw is an author, columnist, and public speaker.
2/"...Red lip theology gave God back to me, me back to God, and me back to myself.” — @CandiceBenbow, from her debut essay collection Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who’ve Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn’t Enough https://t.co/sKMqU5y38b
We're here to cultivate hope and love in the wilderness. Join us October 13-14 for our 2023 conference: https://t.co/R8Ykn1Km4d
Candice spreads messages of hope and healing across various platforms. Her first book, Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who’ve Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn’t Enough, was released earlier this year. [4/]
verified in 2016 | blk & queer, raised on jesus & oprah | prez: @nabjlaofficial | host: @fantipodcast | prof: @usc | author: see pin | blessing in no disguise
currently reading @CandiceBenbow’s #redliptheology, annoyed my calendar keeps interrupting her voice and audiobook. this’ll be a one-day read. for every black church-scorned person, trying to figure out where to fit into a progressive god’s conservative church, this = for you. https://t.co/zg9sDZZs4F
"Candice Marie Benbow is what we need in the world--a humane writer who provides a safe space for people who toggle between independence and institution as they navigate their beliefs."--Morgan Jerkins, New York Times bestselling author of This Will Be My Undoing and Caul Baby
"Red Lip Theology will make you laugh, gasp, and call your bestie to read lines aloud."--Monica A. Coleman, author of Making a Way Out of No Way and Bipolar Faith
"The spiritual and material lives of so many will be changed because of Benbow's words."--Darnell L. Moore, author of No Ashes in the Fire
"Candice Benbow is the physical embodiment of a paradigm shift. Her work represents the new era of The Divine Feminine and through her essays of grace, faith, trauma, and creativity she teaches all not only how to experience God at the deepest level but how to unconditionally love themselves through the eyes of God."--Devi Brown, author of Crystal Bliss