Karen Keen

Movie Review: The Book of Clarence by Jeymes Samuel

Book Reviews, Reconstructing Faith / By
Film cover of Book of Clarence

At first, I didn’t want to watch The Book of Clarence (2023). A hasty glance at the description made me assume the film would regurgitate low budget movies on the life of Jesus, except using Black actors this time. But my spouse thought it looked intriguing, so we watched it last night. And I’m glad we did. The film is thought-provoking and creative, presenting the gospel in a way that shatters tired and redundant versions. The movie is full of unexpected twists and turns, but the last scene brings it home in a wonderful way.

Clarence, played by LaKeith Stanfield, is a midrash on the speculated twin brother of Jesus’s disciple, Thomas, who the Bible indicates was also called Didymus (“twin” in Greek). But unlike Thomas who follows the Messiah, Clarence is a trouble-maker, dealing weed, lusting after women, and pursuing ill-gotten gain. He even hatches a plot to become a “messiah” himself, not to save anyone else, but to gain power, status, and wealth. Clarence travels to see Jesus’s mother Mary to ask how Jesus does all his “tricks,” so as to learn them himself. Mary (Alfre Woodard), a white-haired sage, makes it clear that Jesus is no trickster. Jesus is the real deal.

But Clarence remains unconvinced God exists, let alone a true Messiah, and so he persists in his fraudulent ruse. Clarence manages to persuade many that he is the Messiah, filling his coffers with money. But the more he gets what he wants, the more he realizes that all the money and status fail to satisfy him the way he expects. This provides a subtle existential window that prompts him to look more closely at himself. At one point in the movie he looks into a mirror and asks, “Who am I? What have I become?”

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How to Practice Digital Minimalism

Reconstructing Faith / By

One of the best books I’ve read lately is Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (which I reviewed previously). I’m now practicing what he preached, having almost completed the thirty-day break from social media to discern my philosophy of technology. In what ways do my values guide why and how I use tech?

Turning Reflex into Intentionality

Two things I noticed right away as I unplugged: first, relief from the constant stimulation of scrolling and, paradoxically, a reflex to grab my phone and scroll. I found myself reaching for my phone without even thinking about it, especially, when fatigued from work or bored. I became particularly attuned to this reflex after deleting distracting apps. I was left staring at the screen, looking for something to click and, with no app there, I suddenly realized what I was doing.

Two weeks in, the reflex was still there. Instead of social media apps, I started clicking on news links and Substack (the one app I hadn’t deleted yet). So, I deleted the Substack app, then re-downloaded it, then deleted it again, waffling back and forth. I finally got a grip on my news scrolling with the Feedly app that allows me to curate news more intentionally. I’m still tinkering with it, filtering out news I don’t need. And if that app becomes a distraction, I’ll delete it from my phone as well.

Deleting distracting apps from my phone has been essential. I will never again download a social media app onto my phone. Any social media use will be intentionally scheduled and take place on my laptop, where I’m less inclined to check it as frequently. The same with any other app that I reflexively, rather than intentionally, use.

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Review: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

Book Reviews, Reconstructing Faith / By

When two different friends on the same day recommended Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, I immediately bought the book. Not only because it came recommended, but also because the title was calling my name. I have a love/hate relationship with social media and other tech. Social media, particularly, has caused me problems: anxiety, loss of time, distractability, and difficulty reading books (even though books are my passion). I often want to quit social media and throw out my smartphone, but abandoning tech entirely doesn’t seem to be the answer. What to do? Digital Minimalism charts a path forward.

As Newport lays out, the goal is not to stop using technology; the goal is to have a philosophy for why and how one uses it. Importantly, “fasting” from tech doesn’t typically work. I’ve done this in the past. I even deleted my Facebook account for six months of blissful serenity a couple years ago. But the benefits of tech wooed me back. What I lacked was a philosophy for the why and how of tech. Newport suggests not merely a detox for a short period but a “decluttering.” This involves getting in touch with our values and discerning how tech use is congruent with our broader life goals.

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What Can Happen In A Year?

Announcements / By

My dad always says the older he gets, the faster time speeds by. That’s been true for me, including this past year. Often I want to slow things down. But as a recovering workaholic, I’m constantly battling the adrenaline addiction of a hectic life. Thankfully, over the past few years, I’ve been gradually learning how to course correct, say no more, and focus on what is truly essential.

In fact, one of the best books I read this past year is Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (associate link). If you haven’t read it, the book is well worth picking up. I’m still practicing what I’ve learned, and I’m carrying it with me into 2024.

But before we say goodbye to 2023, here’s a glimpse of what the year involved for me, including podcasts and resources that you might find interesting.

A highlight this past year was a trip to Sweden where I spoke at an evangelical conference called Jesus älskar HBTQ. The worship and fellowship were truly a tremendous blessing. My Swedish siblings now hold a new place in my heart. The conference took place in Stockholm, which is an incredible city, and Sweden itself is a beautiful country. If you haven’t been, check it out. It doesn’t require a visa to travel there (if staying less than 90 days) and everyone speaks English fairly well.

Karen speaking in Sweden (pictured with Justin Lee).
Karen speaking at a conference in Stockholm, Sweden (pictured with Justin Lee).

Podcasts episodes I participated in this year include conversations about the origins and interpretation of the Bible with Highrock’s Theology Lab, Gravity Leadership, Bridging Theology, Faith in a Fresh Vibe (Part 1 and Part 2), and a short appearance discussing virginity with Where Do We Go From Here.

I wrote a few articles, including “How Historical Criticism Challenged My Faith . . . Then Strengthened It,” Lament for Gay Children,” and “Overcoming Shame.”


A new endeavor, I was excited to co-launch this year is Bakos Project, a mentoring program to nurture faith and cultivate leadership gifts of LGBTQ Christians in their 20s and 30s. The first cohort is an amazing group of young leaders. A component of the program is also bringing together pastors and ministry leaders who are both theologically orthodox and affirming (see Friends of Bakos on the website menu). Applications for the next cohort opens January 1st!

I also created a new Substack dedicated to the important topic of Bible, Sexuality, and Gender. If that’s a topic that interests you, head on over to see what posts you missed in 2023, and sign up to stay tuned in 2024.

One of my great loves is reading books and making them accessible to a broader audience. I started a new blog thread on this website dedicated to book reviews (and occasional movie or podcast reviews). Don’t have time to read everything, but want to keep learning? Read reviews. Here’s the list so far:

During 2023, I also continued to teach classes, facilitate retreats, and speak here and there. I expect that to continue into the New Year. I will also be busy putting finishing edits on a book manuscript I submitted this year (to Eerdmans). God willing, it will hit the shelves in 2025.

My prayer is that what I offer will be helpful to you in some way, and that it reflects what God would have me do. I continually seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. And I’m always open to your feedback as well.

May we find closure for 2023, and look with hope to 2024. God’s peace be with you friends!

Scripture and Tradition: A Series You Don’t Want to Miss!

Announcements, Reading Scripture / By

A church in the northeast has been up to some good stuff lately. I accidentally came across Highrock Covenant Church last year when either Beth Allison Barr (The Making of Biblical Womanhood) or Kristin Du Mez (Jesus and John Wayne) posted on Twitter about speaking for a series on American Evangelicalism. I had been pondering my faith heritage within evangelicalism for several years, and certainly since 2016, trying to make sense of it.  So, I eagerly signed up for the Zoom links to watch the series live and participate in discussion groups. That’s how I encountered resident theologian Scott Rice, his wife Abigail, and other staff at Highrock like pastor Meghan DeJong

Little did I know that Scott would read my books and invite me to be a speaker for the fall 2023 series on Scripture and Tradition to discuss my latest work, The Word of a Humble God: The Origins, Inspiration, and Interpretation of Scripture. I’m part of a line-up of wonderful scholars including Dennis Edwards (Vice President/Dean; North Park University), Janette Ok (New Testament; Fuller Seminary), Tim Mackie (The Bible Project), and Peter Enns (Old Testament; Eastern University). This will be a fantastic discussion on the meaning of Scripture for our lives. I’m eager to tune in, and I hope you will as well.

The series starts this Tuesday, November 28th from 8-9:00pm Eastern Time. The series is FREE and open to the public. It will run through spring 2024 (about one speaker a month). You can register to receive the Zoom link and more information by clicking HERE. The series will also be recorded, so if you can’t make it to the live Zoom event, still sign up to get details about when and where it will be posted to YouTube.

Image and link to the Theology Lab Scripture and Tradition series featuring, Dennis Edwards, Janette Ok, Tim Mackie, Karen Keen, and Peter Enns.

Highrock is not a flashy megachurch. Nor has it used these stellar theology labs as a means to draw attention to itself. Highrock started these discussions for its own congregational community. For example, when I attended the series on evangelicalism, I was one of the few that was not a Highrock member, despite the line-up of big names. Rather, Highrock was simply trying to create resources for its people to help shape their theological imagination and promote spiritual formation. But as I participated, it quickly became apparent to me that more people need to know about this incredible resource. So far, Highrock’s Theology Lab has done a series on:

You can keep up on Theology Lab happenings through Highrock’s website or Theology Lab Facebook page. You can also find many other helpful presentations beyond Theology Lab on Highrock’s YouTube channel.

Review: Ethics In Ancient Israel by John Barton

Book Reviews, Ethics / By

John Barton is one of the foremost scholars on ethics in ancient Israel and his book on the topic,  Ethics in Ancient Israel, is well worth picking up. John Barton has been working in the realm of ethics and the Old Testament since his dissertation days in the 1970s. His book is a much needed and valuable contribution to biblical studies.

Scholarship in ethics and the Old Testament typically take one of two forms: study of Israelite ethics (descriptive) or study of the Bible for ethical application in modern faith communities (normative). The first tends to be historical in its approach and the latter theological. Some scholars see a vast chasm between Israelite and modern ethics, while others find continuity. But, even those who find continuity (such as Christopher Wright) acknowledge that Christians and Jews today do not subscribe to all of the ethical perspectives of the Israelites. This is not so much the result of modern “enlightened” thinking as a difference in cultural circumstances. This of course begs the question, what does it mean for people of faith today who turn to Scripture for ethical guidance? Barton’s latest book does not answer that question directly (his approach is descriptive), but it provides a foundation for further inquiry.

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Review: The End of Sexual Identity by Jenell Paris

Book Reviews, Sex and Gender / By

In her book, The End of Sexuality Identity, Jenell Paris has an admirable goal, but one that is not without problems. Paris wants to counter unfair judgment of gay people by doing away with sexual identity labels for everyone. Yet some use this same idea to argue that reference to oneself as “gay” or “lesbian” is always wrong—even if one is predominantly attracted to the same-sex. A significantly harmful aspect of the ex-gay movement was/is the deceptive phrase “I am no longer gay,” often stated despite continued same-sex attraction. Participants were counseled to only acknowledge an identity in Christ, leading to the false impression that their sexual orientation had changed. Conservative politicians have used these testimonies to fight basic civil rights for gay people (employment, housing, services), claiming that being gay is a choice. Using Paris’s book as a backdrop, I discuss the problem of trying to eliminate sexual identity.

Paris is concerned about the moral superiority that many straight Christians have that cause them to judge those who are gay. She believes the categories “heterosexual” and “homosexual” are unhelpful constructs that create unnecessary division between groups of people. Paris proposes an end to sexual identity. By refusing to take on a label of straight or gay, she hopes to level the playing field as each of us considers the other first and foremost as a human being created by God. Paris, a professor at Messiah College, tells her students that she is not heterosexual—even though she recognizes that her sexual identity is apparent (she is married with children, etc). She argues that she does not want to be heterosexual because she does not want a life of privilege in which other people are marginalized.

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