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Even in death, Rachel's writings continue to inspire, heal, move, and greet a new generation of seekers. Blessed be, eshet chayil.
I brushed this book off when it first came out. There was quite a drama over it and, basically, I didn’t want any part of the drama. Interestingly, this book had been appearing on the edges of my reading interests over the past few months. Then, this world lost Rachel Held Evans. And as I watched individuals I follow in various areas mourn their dear friend, I thought it was time to pick up the book, once and for all.
I enjoyed this read. Rachel opens the doors to a lot of questions and turns a lot of ideas right on to their heads. I found her background digging interesting and I often stopped and thought, “Oh, that’s a great point”. I particularly liked the new lens in which she gave me to view The Proverbs 31 Woman. And, I look forward to blessing my female friends with a heartfelt “eschet chayil”.
Sure, her tactic of living to these strict set of rules for a year feels like a literary stunt to sell books, but you know it made the book move along and weaved in threads of humor, grace, and community. Those threads tied her experience into the Old Testament laws she was digging into more deeply.
I don’t know that she gives us much to really tie things up neatly, but she hands over a bunch of takeaways to ponder and remember about being a woman. And, actually, perhaps that was her point in writing this book the way in which she did.
I enjoyed this read. Rachel opens the doors to a lot of questions and turns a lot of ideas right on to their heads. I found her background digging interesting and I often stopped and thought, “Oh, that’s a great point”. I particularly liked the new lens in which she gave me to view The Proverbs 31 Woman. And, I look forward to blessing my female friends with a heartfelt “eschet chayil”.
Sure, her tactic of living to these strict set of rules for a year feels like a literary stunt to sell books, but you know it made the book move along and weaved in threads of humor, grace, and community. Those threads tied her experience into the Old Testament laws she was digging into more deeply.
I don’t know that she gives us much to really tie things up neatly, but she hands over a bunch of takeaways to ponder and remember about being a woman. And, actually, perhaps that was her point in writing this book the way in which she did.
This is honestly one of the best books I have read. Rachel Held Evans handles controversial topics with grace, whit, and humor. I left this read feeling empowered to move forward.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Funny and thought provoking at times, frustrating and aimless in others. I would love to see this discussion carried on by someone who can handle Biblical exegesis with a bit more skill (most likely Wendy at Theology for Women). True liberation comes from looking at the world (including Scripture) through the lens of the Gospel. What the Gospel is and does is painfully absent from this book. When we understand who we truly are as women-- living in a fallen world and marred by sin-- and what Christ is doing --- making all things new, we can rest in him and not be afraid of losing our rights or not having the power.
“But further down in the deep recesses of my 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.” p.296
I think all Christian girls come to a point where we have to wrestle with the idea of ‘biblical womanhood’ and whether believing in God and His word also means believing we were made to be secondary to men.
Rachel explores so many of the passages that have been used to subdue women, and really digs down into both their original meaning and context, and what we can glean from them today.
This is a really easy book to read, Rachel’s writing style is funny, raw and insightful. I especially loved the exploration of Jewish traditions.
4/5 and a book I’d definitely recommend.
I think all Christian girls come to a point where we have to wrestle with the idea of ‘biblical womanhood’ and whether believing in God and His word also means believing we were made to be secondary to men.
Rachel explores so many of the passages that have been used to subdue women, and really digs down into both their original meaning and context, and what we can glean from them today.
This is a really easy book to read, Rachel’s writing style is funny, raw and insightful. I especially loved the exploration of Jewish traditions.
4/5 and a book I’d definitely recommend.
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I loved this book! It was informative, insightful, and humorous all at once. I made more highlights in this book than in any I've read in a long time. I've already started recommending it to all of my friends, especially Christian women. My husband also read it and enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this book. The author was funny and entertaining. You can tell she learned a lot about herself in this journey of hers. The author decides to spend a year researching and putting into practice what biblical texts believe is the ideal woman or ideal way a woman should act. Each month she focuses on something different from Grace to Submission, Justice to Valor, Purity to Fertility, Obedience to Modesty. She was raised evangelical so at times she will include personal experiences growing up in this religion, how what she was told about being a woman impacted her life. She interviewed women from different religions/religious communities such as Amish, Jewish, Quiverfull and Polygamists. I think it's a book worth reading. You may not agree with anything she does but it does give a different look at what people believe and put into practice. Plus she's pretty funny and entertaining as a writer.