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I didn't love this one. In fact, if I hadn't made it to the last few chapters, it would have gotten 2 stars from me. I thought the experiment itself had a frustrating randomness about it, so much so that at times as I was reading, I couldn't even remember what virtue she was trying to live out in that particular chapter.
It wasn't until the July chapter (which came 224 pages in) about Justice that I really got interested. The last 3 chapters and the final conclusions about the experiment redeemed the book to some degree for me. I'm glad I stuck it out. I wish I'd been able to skim the first 200 pages and get through them much faster.
It wasn't until the July chapter (which came 224 pages in) about Justice that I really got interested. The last 3 chapters and the final conclusions about the experiment redeemed the book to some degree for me. I'm glad I stuck it out. I wish I'd been able to skim the first 200 pages and get through them much faster.
When I first heard about this book, I was hoping it wasn't going to be like the book I always see in the humor section of the bookstore - a mockery of the scriptures that so many people hold sacred. But it's not like that at all. Evans took the commands of Scripture regarding women and focused on a different attribute or theme each month for the entire year. During this year, she studied a lot, read a lot, and learned a lot. Those experiences are what she shares in this book.
I got to read about a polygamist family who believes they are following God's commands. I got to follow Rachel to a monastery, to an Amish community, to Bolivia to see women who are succeeding under very trying circumstances. I got to learn about some Jewish traditions and fair-trade coffee and female preachers who have their own bodyguards. I learned about Baby Think It Overs. All of this came through the voice of a person who takes the Bible too seriously to ever take it literally.
Evans and I come from a very similar background and seem to have struggled with many of the same questions, so it was refreshing and encouraging to read her thoughts and experiences over this year. At no point does Evans make fun of or belittle those whose beliefs differ from hers; she presents all views and avoids speaking her opinions where she doesn't believe they belong (ie, concerning the best method to raise children).
This book was well worth the read. Recovering Fundamentalists or Evangelicals, those who have left or returned to the church, or anyone who has ever wanted to dwell in the questions or find better answers.
I got to read about a polygamist family who believes they are following God's commands. I got to follow Rachel to a monastery, to an Amish community, to Bolivia to see women who are succeeding under very trying circumstances. I got to learn about some Jewish traditions and fair-trade coffee and female preachers who have their own bodyguards. I learned about Baby Think It Overs. All of this came through the voice of a person who takes the Bible too seriously to ever take it literally.
Evans and I come from a very similar background and seem to have struggled with many of the same questions, so it was refreshing and encouraging to read her thoughts and experiences over this year. At no point does Evans make fun of or belittle those whose beliefs differ from hers; she presents all views and avoids speaking her opinions where she doesn't believe they belong (ie, concerning the best method to raise children).
This book was well worth the read. Recovering Fundamentalists or Evangelicals, those who have left or returned to the church, or anyone who has ever wanted to dwell in the questions or find better answers.
Book club theme: read a book from the point of view of someone you disagree with.
Good read. Very thought provoking. And I love her sense of humor.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Worth it for the chapter on Proverbs 31 ALONE, but every other one is excellent, eye-opening and refreshingly hilarious too. I'm an unashamed fangirl of Rachel Held Evans and have devoured everything she's written, being deeply sad that we won't see any more contributions from her, at least not on this side of eternity.
This book was refreshing for my soul. Witty, insightful, and deeply moving. I’m grateful RHE took the time to explore “biblical womanhood” and explain to readers why there’s no formula and offer some hope to those who have been hurt by churchy legalism re: womanhood. Worth reading if you want to find freedom as a woman to pursue God and do the things he’s called you to.
While I found this book somewhat more uneven than RHE’s other works, it was still a fascinating & and moving read. And felt deeply relevant right now, as more and more “biblical” rules get forced upon women
There are reviews that criticize the hermeneutics and exegesis (or lack thereof) found in this book - and they'd all be right. If you are new to the Christian tradition, or just someone outside of Christianity trying to get a taste of "Biblical Womanhood", I would caution you not to read this book. I would strongly urge any reader to use discernment and wisdom while reading.
This book is gimmicky. A lot of people seem to have beef with that, though I personally accepted the book for what it is and enjoyed it. RHE focuses on a different spiritual quality each month, picks out applicable verses, and comes up with a list of "tasks" to help her live out that spiritual quality. The problem is that a lot of these verses/tasks come from the Law, which Christians believe Jesus fulfilled; in other words, we are no longer bound by these verses (see: isolating a menstruating woman). While I accept these tasks as part of the gimmick, a lot of people feel that they are misleading. My guess is RHE didn't ever mean to suggest that women should actually separate themselves from their household while menstruating or complete all of these tasks, but rather used this format as a starting off point for a much more nuanced discussion.
All that said, RHE is charming and someone I wish I could have known. She depicts an earnest faith while trying to navigate some of the most challenging discussions surrounding the Bible. It's refreshing to hear from someone who doesn't paint women as homesteaders who focus on aesthetics and cooking and should never be in charge of a man ever. Did I agree with all of her points? For sure no. Did I find some points that moved me deeply? I did.
I loved her distinction between "being quiet" and being in control of yourself. Why did God make me so boisterous if I'm supposed to be the mousy woman so many churches have led me to believe I need to be? I also appreciated her discussion on "meekness", and likening it to a wild horse that is brought under control. And I am grateful for someone who investigated gender roles in the Bible with curiosity and questioning. I still don't know for sure where I land on many of these topics, but I am grateful that RHE took the time to share her interpretation.
As a follow up, I hope to read Kathy Keller's book on gender roles for another perspective sometime within the next year.
This book is gimmicky. A lot of people seem to have beef with that, though I personally accepted the book for what it is and enjoyed it. RHE focuses on a different spiritual quality each month, picks out applicable verses, and comes up with a list of "tasks" to help her live out that spiritual quality. The problem is that a lot of these verses/tasks come from the Law, which Christians believe Jesus fulfilled; in other words, we are no longer bound by these verses (see: isolating a menstruating woman). While I accept these tasks as part of the gimmick, a lot of people feel that they are misleading. My guess is RHE didn't ever mean to suggest that women should actually separate themselves from their household while menstruating or complete all of these tasks, but rather used this format as a starting off point for a much more nuanced discussion.
All that said, RHE is charming and someone I wish I could have known. She depicts an earnest faith while trying to navigate some of the most challenging discussions surrounding the Bible. It's refreshing to hear from someone who doesn't paint women as homesteaders who focus on aesthetics and cooking and should never be in charge of a man ever. Did I agree with all of her points? For sure no. Did I find some points that moved me deeply? I did.
I loved her distinction between "being quiet" and being in control of yourself. Why did God make me so boisterous if I'm supposed to be the mousy woman so many churches have led me to believe I need to be? I also appreciated her discussion on "meekness", and likening it to a wild horse that is brought under control. And I am grateful for someone who investigated gender roles in the Bible with curiosity and questioning. I still don't know for sure where I land on many of these topics, but I am grateful that RHE took the time to share her interpretation.
"I think, at the suface, I was looking for a good story. And I certainly found one.
But further down, in the deeper recesses of my heart and mind, I think I was looking for permission -- permission to lead, permission to speak, permission to find my identity in something other than my roles, permission to be myself, permission to be a woman..."
As a follow up, I hope to read Kathy Keller's book on gender roles for another perspective sometime within the next year.