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adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This is a book with such an interesting premise. In it Rachel Held Evans tries to live as faithfully to the literal text of Bible and its "instructions" for women.
The book was structured in an interesting way with each chapter focused on a month and a biblical theme for the year. Each chapter had a profile of a biblical women at the beginning that I particularly enjoyed.
Held-Evans writing style was thoughtful, reflective but also sarcastic and cheeky and I definitely appreciated that when it comes to a topic as loaded as women's place in the Christian faith.
I learned lots of interesting things about the bible. I also appreciated that she took the time to learn about other religions approaches to the same text (eg Judaism) but at times did wonder if this could have been done more thoroughly but I guess as a Christian book that was not really the point.
The book was structured in an interesting way with each chapter focused on a month and a biblical theme for the year. Each chapter had a profile of a biblical women at the beginning that I particularly enjoyed.
Held-Evans writing style was thoughtful, reflective but also sarcastic and cheeky and I definitely appreciated that when it comes to a topic as loaded as women's place in the Christian faith.
I learned lots of interesting things about the bible. I also appreciated that she took the time to learn about other religions approaches to the same text (eg Judaism) but at times did wonder if this could have been done more thoroughly but I guess as a Christian book that was not really the point.
Actual rating: 4.5
I was a little aprehensive about this book, afraid that it would extoll adhering to all the laws and rules for women throughout the Bible and call for a return to them, but it was a pleasent surprise to read this book.
Although each chapter followed a rather cookie cutter shape, they all ended with a nice wrap up lesson to take away from each month's virtue. I loved the addition of excerpts from the journal her husband kept throughout the year and the pictures she included.
And considering how much the book had me laughing out loud, I would definitely reccomend it.
I was a little aprehensive about this book, afraid that it would extoll adhering to all the laws and rules for women throughout the Bible and call for a return to them, but it was a pleasent surprise to read this book.
Although each chapter followed a rather cookie cutter shape, they all ended with a nice wrap up lesson to take away from each month's virtue. I loved the addition of excerpts from the journal her husband kept throughout the year and the pictures she included.
And considering how much the book had me laughing out loud, I would definitely reccomend it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was by far my favorite book of the year and I was actually rather sad when I finished it. Not only is the book well-written and often hilarious, but Rachel put so much effort into researching and studying her topics and it shows. The gist of the book is that Rachel spent a year trying to follow every command given to women in the Bible, or throughout Christian tradition. Some rules she followed the whole year, and some only for a week or month. Each month had a different focus (charity, beauty, hospitality, etc.). She approached each theme by researching how it’s discussed in the Bible and then by seeing how different Christians (including Jews for OT regulations) have interpreted it through the years. I may not have always agreed with everything, but that wasn’t necessarily Rachel’s point. I think it was more important for her to have the readers actually think through and wrestle with the issues and I certainly did. I especially enjoyed her chapters on valor (turns out in Jewish culture the men sing Proverbs 31 to their wives to bless and honor them; they don’t consider a to-do list for women), modesty (many Christian traditions associate this more with behavior and humility than clothing), and justice (useful ways to be more just in our society). She also included snippets from her husband’s journal to give a man’s perspective on her quest and these were both funny and insightful. A definite recommendation to everyone.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I went into this book skeptical and came out very entertained and enlightened. There were so many details that the author addressed that I would have completely missed. It has deepened my interest in pursuing some facets of Biblical Womanhood in the way she did, but it also helped me understand why some traditions are no longer carried.
Evans was a very well-known Christian author who passed away suddenly this past May. As I heard one tribute after another to her, I decided to pick up one of her books. For one full year Rachel took all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible. This meant praising her husband at the city gates, calling him Master, living in a tent during her “time of blood”, wearing a head covering, learning to knit, and cooking several giant meals. I really loved that she looked at things with an open mind and heart and sought out women of other faiths to learn from their lives. She approached this from a place of discomfort with some of the edicts but was always willing to try. I also loved that she sometimes gave up on some of the rules when she (or she and her husband) decided that they weren’t healthy for her relationships or mental health. I thought this was such an interesting look at the Bible and people of faith.
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Rated: G
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Rated: G
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Pretty good. Did make me reconsider putting 'biblical' in front of every opinion of mine I want to justify. Made me really shocked about how many confusing things it says about women in the Bible. It did inspire me to read through too many commentaries on some particularly sexist passages, which gave me a new perspective mostly.
Only 3.5 because of how slow paced it was.
Only 3.5 because of how slow paced it was.
I have to admit that I struggled a bit with this book. I respect Evans for tackling such a life altering (and ultimately affirming) project but there were times when I wanted more from her writing and analysis. While she does try to acknowledge the many different types of womanhood that exist in the bible from slave to queen, wife to widow, daughter to distractor, the huge hole was any mention that the concept of biblical womanhood may not resonate with queer and trans women. The only mention of homophobia comes in a quote from Dan when Rachel is thankful that he calls out homophobic comments. Perhaps if the book had been written in Toronto instead of Tennessee Evans would have included at least a few lines about the fact that queer Christians exist and we are trying to negotiate our gender and identity with relation to our faith. Evans seeks out "sources" in many faith traditions. Where are the queer Christians? We have lots to say about womanhood and the bible. For such a personal and intimate project that ultimately expands to include many people, I was really surprised by this omission.
That said, I learned a lot. I am grateful to Evans for her honesty, her openness, and her integrity. She tells readers when she has made a mistake, when she is fearful, and I admire her courage. I loved the insights at the end of the book and saw myself there with her. I find it wonderfully ironic that she wrote a book with which I struggle as a reader while she writes about struggling with the bible. Maybe that's her point: we have to read everything in context whether biblical or biblical commentary.
That said, I learned a lot. I am grateful to Evans for her honesty, her openness, and her integrity. She tells readers when she has made a mistake, when she is fearful, and I admire her courage. I loved the insights at the end of the book and saw myself there with her. I find it wonderfully ironic that she wrote a book with which I struggle as a reader while she writes about struggling with the bible. Maybe that's her point: we have to read everything in context whether biblical or biblical commentary.
This book was thought provoking, humorous, and respectfully carried out. I enjoyed it and learned so much of womanhood in the Biblical ancient times, some traditions that are carried out still, and some that have fallen (rightfully) by the wayside. This was the first book of Evan’s that I read, and it hooked me in by the honesty and esteem with which Evan treated the subject matter.
It wasn't quite what I was expecting- I think I was expecting more argument and academics and less story and heart. But I like it better than what I was expecting. An uplifting read!