FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
A Novel of the Early Church Endorses Equality for All
“Because She Was Called” shows the early church breaking walls of division.
[Grimsby, Ontario, April 4, 2024] It may seem contradictory that a Christian novel portrays the early church adopting women, men, eunuchs, and LGBTQ+ as equals in the family of faith. Some Christian fiction readers or biblical fiction fans may turn away from themes that do not fit with traditional church views. If you are a spiritual wanderer, ex-vangelical, or feeling sidelined by religion, you may find fresh hope in this new release by Elaine Ricker Kelly.
“Historically compelling, wholly engrossing; a page-turner.…A remarkable tale affirming Christian egalitarianism that will captivate, provoke, and inspire readers on an unforgettable journey through the origins of Christianity.” – Prairies Book Review
“My plan was to re-tell the Gospel stories from a female viewpoint in Forgotten Followers From Broken to Bold Book 1 and show how these women became apostles in Because She Was Called: From Broken to Bold Book 2. As I researched equality for women, I soon realized equality for some and not others is not equality at all,” said Elaine Kelly, a retired financial advisor.
While Because She Was Called is Book 2 of her fiction series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Set in early Acts, it demonstrates the early church breaking barriers based on ethnicity, gender, or orientation. Susannah is pulled between romance and her call to preach. Joanna is torn by grief and fighting to keep both her son and her faith. Mary Magdalene preaches and does a miracle before the emperor. Mary, Jesus’s mother, leads the congregation in prayer and Holy Communion. Philip feels the Holy Spirit direct him to baptize a gender-ambiguous Ethiopian eunuch. Peter and his wife see the Holy Spirit descend on the uncircumcised Cornelius and his family and friends. After God tells Peter not to call unclean that which God has made clean, Longinus, a centurion, and his dear companion, are baptized. Kelly felt that representing LGBTQ+ in fiction would honour the diversity God has created.
This novel took longer than expected to write, as Kelly explored scholarship on apparently misogynistic or homophobic Bible passages. Kelly put some of her research onto 104 flashcards showing diverse views and calls it The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman’s Role. That non-fiction is on Amazon with the ebook US$4.99 (C$7) and the paperback US$8.99 (C$12).
Because She Was Called: From Broken to Bold, Book 2, A Novel of the Early Church, will be released on Amazon on April 16, 2024. The ebook is US$5.99 (C$7.99); the paperback is US$14.99 ($C$20). Retailers can contact the author for wholesale pricing.
Elaine R. Kelly and her husband live in Grimsby Ontario, and have three adult daughters. She and her husband worship at an affirming church and enjoy hiking with their small dog, appreciating the Niagara escarpment, playing tennis, pickleball, and music.
For More Information:
Website: www.elainekelly.ca
