Nonfiction Review: ALL MY KNOTTED-UP LIFE: A MEMOIR (+Discussion Questions)

All My Knotted Up Life: a Memoir by Beth Moore

Tyndale Momentum, 2023. 304 pages.

Many years ago the Women's Bible Study at church used a video series by Beth Moore and her organization, Living Proof Ministries. Every woman in our group really enjoyed the study, especially the video portion where Beth was filmed speaking to a group of women on Ephesians, a New Testament book of the Bible. I thought she was incredibly warm, personable, and, surprisingly, funny. I looked forward to every session. After that session ended our group went on to study some other topic or book of the Bible and I didn't think about Beth Moore much after that until her name came up in the news.

In 2016 Beth Moore made a bit of a splash in the news because she was one of the few well-known Christians to criticize publicly then-candidate Trump for his Access Hollywood tape where he talked about the way he treats women. I remember being pleased when I heard this. Finally a Christian standing up to despicable Trump behavior. What we didn't hear about on the news was how awful the people in her church and the Southern Baptist Conference (SBC) treated her after that criticism. Christians were angry with Moore, not Trump. 

Moore was back in news again in 2021 when she announced she was splitting from the SBC over the church's handling of sexual abuse cases among pastors. The abuse had been going on for decades but had only recently come to light. Instead of dealing with it church was covering up these crimes. When she confronted the church's leadership over their white-washing of these serious findings, the men on the council essentially told her to "shut up and stay in your lane." She'd had enough and she quit her association with the denomination, which meant it also ended her association with her own congregation. Once again, I rejoiced that some woman was finally standing up to those bullies, disguised as men of God. What I didn't know at the time was Beth Moore, herself, was a sex abuse survivor.

All My Knotted Up Life is Beth Moore's story, starting in her childhood when, as a young child, she was a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. It continues through her young adult years where she heard the call to serve God, and onto her ministry years and beyond.

I loved every minute listening to this remarkably candid, funny, excruciating memoir. Beth read the book herself and her Texas drawl is so charming. In fact, I kept thinking her voice reminded me of someone I know well and then realized I have a friend, also from Texas, who sounds just like Beth. I was charmed. I cried as she shared hard stories for her to tell and couldn't help wondering if some of her friends from her old congregation are ashamed at the way they treated her as she tried to stay faithful to God and his calling in her life.

As a Christian I found much comfort in her words. It is so hard to confess to being a Christian these days when so many Christians behave in such un-Christlike ways... purporting to love Jesus but then being the most angry, racist, sexist, unforgiving people on the planet. Not Beth. She's one of the good ones.

This is her story.

My rating: 5 stars.

Note: This is a reposting of the review I wrote in November for this book another memoir, Stay True. I separated it out here and reposted it so I could add the discussion questions, below, for book club discussion groups.

Book Discussion Questions

1. What did you think of the book and your reading experience with it?

2. Have you had any previous experiences with Beth Moore's writings or Bible Studies. If so, in what capacity and what did you think of that work/study?

3. What surprised you most about Moore's story?

4. Moore used a lot of foreshadowing in her writing about events in her childhood before she revealed she was sexually abused by her father. What were some examples of this foreshadowing and how did it make you feel as a reader?

5. Beth Moore described one episode when her father abused her after driving home from a lesson in another town. Do you think this was the first time for this type of behavior? Why or why not?

6. According to A.I.:

Research indicates that child sexual abuse is a significant issue within religious communities, including families of reported Christians. While abuse is generally more common within a child’s home (regardless of religious affiliation), studies have identified specific risk factors and patterns within Christian and other religious settings, particularly involving patriarchal authority structures, the high trust placed in leaders, and a tendency toward secrecy or shielding offenders. 

Do you agree with this statement? How did this same pattern follow Beth Moore throughout her life and her ministry?

7. There were super serious parts to this story but also some very funny moments. Give some examples of the humor used in the book.

8. Moore was a devoted church-goer even as a child and dedicated her life to God even at a young age. Then as an emerging adult she had a mystical experience while a counselor at a girls' camp where she felt the presence of God come over her. (p.112-3) What did she do next? (p.115) Do you recall your baptism and a conversion experience? Talk about them. Have you ever experienced God's presence in this way?

9. Mental illness is a recurring theme throughout the book. Talk about Moore's mother and her husband and their struggles with their mental health issues. 

10. Respond to this quote from the book: "Some of us have prayed hard. And wondered why on earth everything always had to be hard."

11. Beth Moore felt called to Christian ministry yet she kept trying to manufacture how she would serve God. How did she get involved in women's ministry and where did it lead?

12. Beth got herself crosswise with the Southern Baptist Conference several times in her life, the last being in 2021, when she left the conference and her church. How did you feel about these experiences? The reactions from her friends? Her church? Her family, especially her husband.

13. There were a lot more topics we could talk about from the book. Were there any we missed you'd like us to address in our discussion? Expand.

14. Can you imagine asking a friend or family member to read this book? Elaborate.

*I wrote these discussion questions for my own book church made up of a bunch of women who attend the same church as me. I couldn't find any questions online which I though really delved into the depth of the book as much as I hoped they would. Feel free to use these questions for your discussion groups. If you paste any of them onto your post or in printed form, please give me credit. Thank you. Anne@HeadFullofBooks