“Thy kingdom come” is a familiar phrase to those who grew up in Christian homes and attended church regularly.
It’s so familiar that we don’t question the implications of such a phrase and others like it.
We don’t stop to think about why we envision God as inherently more masculine than feminine. We never stop to ask how that informs our attitude towards others and how it feeds into stereotypes and social constructs.
It is rare for Christians to break down gendered language in our services and in our daily spiritual practices. We don’t think twice about it.
Now is the perfect time to change that.
Kyndall Rae Rothaus’ new book Thy Queendom Come: Breaking Free from the Patriarchy to Free Your Soul is a breath of fresh air for women who suffer from and experience misogyny in the church and in their everyday lives.
Although this is a book about and for women, I think that this is a necessary read for men as well.
How does the “Queendom” differ from patriarchal interpretations of God’s “Kingdom”?
Thy Queendom does not assert dominance over any one group, but it levels the playing field and uplifts all voices regardless of gender. It dismantles hierarchies and enforces intersectionality. It liberates us from a socially constructed perception of God and equalizes the pulpit.
The book is broken up into nine chapters, with Rothaus retelling the stories of women in the Bible like Mary Magdalene, Jael, Bathsheba and more. She also sprinkles in her own experiences and connects her life lessons to the stories of women from centuries ago.
Though our world looks different now than it did back in biblical times, the problems associated with being a woman in a patriarchal world still endure. They don’t go away; they just evolve.
This book felt like a love letter to women who have felt the call to ministry but have been limited and tied down by traditional gender norms and expectations.
Not every woman has the support and encouragement from their churches and pastors to pursue ministry, but Rothaus empowers and engages with those women throughout.
There is a “women supporting women” theme at play here. Rothaus asserts that women need to support each other and not allow patriarchal forces to drive a wedge between us or pit us against each other.
Reading Thy Queendom Come was a relatable and affirming experience. I felt like I was reading my own thoughts.
Rothaus is inclusive and considerate of all people ⎯ regardless of whether or not one identifies along the gender binary.
Though there is a lot of positivity and hope found in her writing, Rothaus does not sugar coat or skim over the more violent and traumatic aspects of being a woman. She touches on heavy topics like assault, abuse, rape, harassment and other gender-based violence. I urge you to read with caution if you have first-hand experience with these.
Thy Queendom Come felt like a conversation between friends. Between the amazing storytelling and honest insights about what it is like to be a feminine pastor in a world that centers masculine voices, Rothaus contributes to an important conversation around inclusion and equality in the Christian church.
I learned a lot about the women of the Bible and about the author, but one of the biggest takeaways for me is that women’s stories should be heard. Not only should they be heard, but they should be believed and honored.
I applaud Rothaus’ bravery for sharing her personal stories and valuable insights and encourage you to pick up your copy today. You can learn more about Thy Queendom Come here.
Creative coordinator for publishing and marketing at Good Faith Media. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Missouri Southern State University and her Associate of Arts degree from Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Missouri. Chisholm was an Ernest C. Hynds Jr. intern with GFM for the summer of 2021.
