EP 32: Whitewashing Violence in the Hebrew Bible - with Rev. Caffie Risher

 Rev. Caffie Risher is a Christian pastor and grief counselor who is deeply aware  of the presence of toxic theology in scripture and in the teachings of the church. She infuses her ministry for the bereaved with clear, critical thinking and a non-dogmatic approach to spirituality in the process of grief and mourning.  

Caffie has early recollections of walking dirt roads in the south with her grandmother  Jessie Mae where they would take care of relatives and community members when there was a death in the family or if someone was sick and needed help.  Both her mother, Earlene Williams Risher, and grandmother taught her Christ-care, compassion, and pastoral concern for others at an early age.

 For Caffie, it is life’s experiences, her own mortality, death of loved ones, personal loss, grief, educational experiences, and certifications that have all shaped and equipped her for this journey to minister hope and healing to those who are hurting. 

In 2002 she  was appointed to the position of “Minority Scholar” teaching public speaking and introduction to business courses at Passaic County Community College.  Eighteen years later she holds the position of a tenured Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator of Public Speaking in the Fine and Performing Arts Department.  She teaches Public Speaking, Business Communication, Business Writing, and Death and Dying courses.  She also serves as chair of the Distinguished Lecturer Series and faculty advisor to the Power in Christ Christian Club who won the Emerging Club Award for excellent campus involvement and exceptional leadership.

Prior to this, she held a post at New York Theological Seminary where she taught for several years in the Certificate of Ministry program.   

For more on this topic, read this article:
Does the Hebrew Bible Sanctify Mass Murder… and Disregard the Resulting Trauma?