From Weapon to Healing: Better Ways to Read the Bible | Zach W. Lambert

At 13, Zach W. Lambert was kicked out of youth group for asking too many questions. Years later, the church he leads was removed from its denomination for fully embracing LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Instead of walking away, Zach doubled down. He continues to pastor Restore Austin Church and co-founded the Post-Evangelical Collective …a growing movement reimagining what faith can look like when empathy, equity, and honesty lead the way.

In this conversation, Zach opens up about leading in a skeptical world, finding your way back to Scripture when it’s been weaponized, and the vision behind his new book Better Ways to Read the Bible. It’s a guide for anyone who wants to move beyond fear and reclaim the Bible as a tool for healing and hope.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to protect your heart from bitterness when facing backlash
• Wrestling with the Bible on big topics (like LGBTQ+ inclusion) 
• Engaging with “sin” in a healthy, relational way
• Four fresh lenses for reading the Bible that heal instead of harm

CONNECT WITH ZACH W. LAMBERT:

• Website: https://www.zachwlambert.org/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachwlambert/
• Order ‘A Better Way to Read the Bible’ here: https://a.co/d/dLQRPDB 
• Watch ‘All-Inclusive - Homophobia and Transphobia’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3d_mhbTwL4 

EPISODES MENTIONED:

• Reconstructing Faith (Christians Who Don't Suck) | Jeremy Alder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPgMBbp7TU8&t=15s
• Is Hell Even Biblical? Brian Recker on Queer-Affirming, Fear-Free Faith | Brian Recker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7mT5k137t0&t=5s

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask 
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/119