Meet the Theology Slam Finalists: Molly Boot
10:32 02/03/2020
Take theology, mix it up with some of the most pressing questions of the day, and serve it up in the form of challenging, provocative, TED-style talks. That's the challenge we’ve given our three Theology Slam finalists, and we thought we'd introduce you to each of them, ahead of the Live Final on 26th March. Last time, we heard from Augustine Tanner-Ihm, who'll be speaking on Theology and Race. Today, we're meeting Molly Boot, whose chosen topic is Theology and #MeToo.
Tell us a bit about yourself...
I am a master’s student in Medieval Church History at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. I’m also a trustee of the Greenbelt festival, and when I’m not reading about quirky Christian mystics, I can usually be found playing the violin, conducting or singing. I believe that good theology should make the world a kinder place.
Why have you chosen your topic?
The #MeToo movement has enabled those of us who have suffered sexual violence and harassment to tell our stories; to share the burden of pain, break the power of secrecy, and seek healing. But I want to explore how #MeToo affects the way we understand and experience the love of God.
If I could have anybody (past or present) round for dinner, I’d invite... Hildegard of Bingen. I wrote my undergrad dissertation on her, and I’d love to chat to her about music, God, and her blazing arguments with popes, kings, and bishops. I wish I could channel some of her sass!
I think every Christian should read... the Life of St Teresa of Avila. I’ve never felt so connected to an author as I did reading her honest struggles with her faith and calling. It’s raw, captivating, beautiful stuff.
If there’s one film, play, piece of music or book that has changed how I see the world, it is... I'm going to cheat for this one and choose a poem instead. It's ‘As Kingfishers Catch Fire’ by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Every time I read it, it reminds me to be attentive to the presence of Christ in the world around me.
I think Theology matters because... I reckon we become like whatever it is we worship. Thinking about the ways in which God is loving, kind and just should, I hope, make us more loving, kind and just people.
A surprising fact about me is... that I *love* otters. Did you know, sea otters have the highest fur density of any mammal? There you go, a bonus surprising fact about otters.
