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beccafeldhacker's review
3.0
I definitely liked her writing style and approachability on the topic but again didn’t pick up anything new or invigorating. Perhaps for less-feminist-familiar folks it could be a good fit.
heatherlea17's review
5.0
Charming, sensitive, and theological.
Most approach theological topics in the church with arrogance and ignorance. Sarah humbly says that she's no theologian, yet she proves the opposite in her first book. Sarah's approach to feminism isn't to destroy arguments, but sensitively share scripture and stories of women who are valorous warriors for Christ. I enjoyed this book,even as a single woman, but especially as a young evangelical youth minister constantly struggling with my calling to uncover my head and boldly proclaim Christ the way a man does.
Most approach theological topics in the church with arrogance and ignorance. Sarah humbly says that she's no theologian, yet she proves the opposite in her first book. Sarah's approach to feminism isn't to destroy arguments, but sensitively share scripture and stories of women who are valorous warriors for Christ. I enjoyed this book,even as a single woman, but especially as a young evangelical youth minister constantly struggling with my calling to uncover my head and boldly proclaim Christ the way a man does.
ekarcha's review
2.0
2 stars because there were a handful of quotes and passages I really did like. I didn't entirely hate it, just was incredibly disappointed.
This is not the progressive confirmation of Jesus as a herald of intersectional theology nor the dismantling of misogynistic evangelism I was hoping for. Rather, the author seems to want to revamp evangelicalism - it's like she halfway sees the problems, but stops short in her proposed solutions and prefers personal reflection and affirmation of evangelical phrasing and views to changing the screwed up institution. Perhaps that was my misled hopes rather than a more realistic expectation of this book, but I was disappointed and almost gave up on this book half a dozen times. The writing style reminiscent of mommy bloggers doesn't help - it's more focused on personal anecdotes than solid theology and social theory. All in all, hard to finish reading for multiple reasons.
This is not the progressive confirmation of Jesus as a herald of intersectional theology nor the dismantling of misogynistic evangelism I was hoping for. Rather, the author seems to want to revamp evangelicalism - it's like she halfway sees the problems, but stops short in her proposed solutions and prefers personal reflection and affirmation of evangelical phrasing and views to changing the screwed up institution. Perhaps that was my misled hopes rather than a more realistic expectation of this book, but I was disappointed and almost gave up on this book half a dozen times. The writing style reminiscent of mommy bloggers doesn't help - it's more focused on personal anecdotes than solid theology and social theory. All in all, hard to finish reading for multiple reasons.
sarahanne8382's review
5.0
I loved this book so much even if Bessey sometimes gets a little too ethereal for me, making it easy to tune out after awhile. For progressive Christians it's so lovely to hear that part of living in the love of Jesus is speaking up if you feel called, even if you're a woman, that you shouldn't feel limited by your gender as to how you will serve the will of God.
This also fits really nicely with a sermon recently done at my church that really switched a light bulb on for me on this issue by saying that God introduced patriarchy in reaction to the Fall. It was never his dream for mankind, but a consequence of sin entering the world. Bessey makes the same arguments and puts other Biblical passage used to support male dominance into context showing that they aren't stressing the default submission of women like we've often been taught. It was eye-opening. It was soul-affirming. I feel like I can breath more freely in my faith now.
Give this to all your progressive Christian friends.
This also fits really nicely with a sermon recently done at my church that really switched a light bulb on for me on this issue by saying that God introduced patriarchy in reaction to the Fall. It was never his dream for mankind, but a consequence of sin entering the world. Bessey makes the same arguments and puts other Biblical passage used to support male dominance into context showing that they aren't stressing the default submission of women like we've often been taught. It was eye-opening. It was soul-affirming. I feel like I can breath more freely in my faith now.
Give this to all your progressive Christian friends.
ginabyeg's review
3.0
I came into Sarah Bessey’s work in 2012 through her blog, and I read her other two books first when they were each published, before finally circling back to this one this year. I hadn’t been drawn to it at first, because it sounded a little bit “text book-y.” But at this point I figured I should give it a go—I do so enjoy her other writing. Turns out my first impression of the book all those years ago wasn’t entirely wrong. Her latter two books are told as a story, and describe a lot of her learning as a result of personal experience with God and life and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus Feminist, it’s clear that she’s trying to make her case. It’s a good case to make, but there’s less storytelling, and it made for what felt like a drier read. I struggled to stay engaged with the last third of it. She writes well, and I’m sure this book is powerful for some. I will likely keep it on hand as a reference, but it’s certainly not my favourite of her books.
heatherlea17's review against another edition
5.0
Charming, sensitive, and theological.
Most approach theological topics in the church with arrogance and ignorance. Sarah humbly says that she's no theologian, yet she proves the opposite in her first book. Sarah's approach to feminism isn't to destroy arguments, but sensitively share scripture and stories of women who are valorous warriors for Christ. I enjoyed this book,even as a single woman, but especially as a young evangelical youth minister constantly struggling with my calling to uncover my head and boldly proclaim Christ the way a man does.
Most approach theological topics in the church with arrogance and ignorance. Sarah humbly says that she's no theologian, yet she proves the opposite in her first book. Sarah's approach to feminism isn't to destroy arguments, but sensitively share scripture and stories of women who are valorous warriors for Christ. I enjoyed this book,even as a single woman, but especially as a young evangelical youth minister constantly struggling with my calling to uncover my head and boldly proclaim Christ the way a man does.
sparrowlight's review
4.0
I picked up Jesus Feminist because I follow Sarah Bessey on Twitter, and I enjoy her voice. I need to read more books on theology by women, and not just the usual crowd of old white men that I tend to follow.
I really enjoyed this book although we have many doctrinal disagreements. It was longer on personal experience and shorter on actual exegesis or debate about interpretation than I expected, but it was still a beautiful and lyrical read. I especially loved her sections on pregnancy and birth metaphors and the rigors of motherhood.
Maybe this would disappoint Sarah, but I didn’t come from this book with a completely altered view of women in the church. Rather, I appreciated her insights, especially how the church far too often defines femininity as “marriage and motherhood” and how that’s so limiting. She is a gifted writer and one I’ll continue to seek out.
I really enjoyed this book although we have many doctrinal disagreements. It was longer on personal experience and shorter on actual exegesis or debate about interpretation than I expected, but it was still a beautiful and lyrical read. I especially loved her sections on pregnancy and birth metaphors and the rigors of motherhood.
Maybe this would disappoint Sarah, but I didn’t come from this book with a completely altered view of women in the church. Rather, I appreciated her insights, especially how the church far too often defines femininity as “marriage and motherhood” and how that’s so limiting. She is a gifted writer and one I’ll continue to seek out.
librarian_of_valencia's review
4.0
I enjoyed this as an audiobook. The style is easy to listen to and full of personal story and testimony.
I would like to read it in hard copy and spend more time really looking at how she used Scripture before deciding how many of her points I fully agree/disagree with. However, the book is certainly thought provoking and enjoyable, written by a woman who clearly loves Christ and His Church and wants to share that love with other women.
I would recommend it! Not to be read, of course, without critical thought and holding it up to the lens of Scripture, but a worthwhile read that presents some excellent questions and ideas with which to wrestle.
I would like to read it in hard copy and spend more time really looking at how she used Scripture before deciding how many of her points I fully agree/disagree with. However, the book is certainly thought provoking and enjoyable, written by a woman who clearly loves Christ and His Church and wants to share that love with other women.
I would recommend it! Not to be read, of course, without critical thought and holding it up to the lens of Scripture, but a worthwhile read that presents some excellent questions and ideas with which to wrestle.