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adamrshields's review
3.0
Short Review: I am wholeheartedly egalitarian. I believe women should be pastors and elders and leaders of para-church ministries. I think that not only are women fully created in the image of God, that men can't really be fully representative of the image of God as intended without women.
I am not Wendy Alsup's primary target audience. But I have read her blog for years with great benefit. I am in a private facebook group with her and very much appreciate her voice. Theologically, especially around biblical method, we have some significant disagreements.
And there were many areas that I wanted to push back on this book. I think she does not present some of the views that she disagrees with accurately, but that is common with all of us. I think that like pretty much all biblical interpretation methods, there are holes and we do not live up to our stated interpretative ideals because all methods end up with problems.
The method would be different if I were writing the book, but a lot of conclusions I would agree with, especially the final chapter. But I would also go much further (as you assume by my first couple of sentences.)
Because I know and trust Alsup, I continued reading even when I may not have continued reading others. That does point out a problem in myself that I probably would have not continued reading others. But I need to honestly admit that weakness if I am going to learn from authors like Alsup.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/is-the-bible-good-for-women/
I am not Wendy Alsup's primary target audience. But I have read her blog for years with great benefit. I am in a private facebook group with her and very much appreciate her voice. Theologically, especially around biblical method, we have some significant disagreements.
And there were many areas that I wanted to push back on this book. I think she does not present some of the views that she disagrees with accurately, but that is common with all of us. I think that like pretty much all biblical interpretation methods, there are holes and we do not live up to our stated interpretative ideals because all methods end up with problems.
The method would be different if I were writing the book, but a lot of conclusions I would agree with, especially the final chapter. But I would also go much further (as you assume by my first couple of sentences.)
Because I know and trust Alsup, I continued reading even when I may not have continued reading others. That does point out a problem in myself that I probably would have not continued reading others. But I need to honestly admit that weakness if I am going to learn from authors like Alsup.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/is-the-bible-good-for-women/
carolinegarza's review
3.0
I will admit I may not have been the target audience for this book. I was not looking to answer the question does God care for women. I believe God cares for all people: man or woman. I was seeking clarity on how the modern church interprets New Testament teaching on women. The author only covered specific biblical texts for one chapter. I found that one chapter very helpful but I would recommend borrowing this book not buying if you’re interested in the same topic as me.
amandareads88's review
5.0
Asking “Is the Bible good for women?” may appear to be a rhetorical question, but it is a question that Christian women have asked throughout history and one that begs an answer. In her new book, Wendy Alsup succeeds at provide a thorough and theologically rich answer to this pertinent question. Alsup does a tremendous job of providing a Christ-centered framework for examining precisely how the Bible truly is good news for women. Alsup emphasizes that in order to discern the goodness of God’s Word for women, Christians must examine the Word within it’s own context. From creation to the Resurrection of Christ, Alsup adeptly uses the Scripture to display the goodness of God’s Word for women.
Alsup carefully dissects difficult texts in both the Old and New Testaments in order to reveal the character of Christ and how these texts ultimately point toward the goodness of God’s Word for women. Instead of avoiding Old Testament texts detailing injustices and harm towards women, Alsup carefully navigates how these passages reveal the character of God and His plan for Christ to offer a sacrifice that would offer true redemption and justice for women. Later, Alsup examines the common New Testament passages that cause many women to doubt the goodness of God’s woman for the female gender. While examining passages such as 1 Timothy 2 and Ephesians 5, Alsup emphasizes the importance of studying these passages within the greater context of Scripture and the cultural norms of the age.
Is The Bible Good For Women effectively communicates that God deeply cares for the goodness, justice, sanctification, and redemption of the women who uniquely bear His image. Alsup asserts that, “it is nearly impossible to value women and put forth their needs and rights correctly without first valuing the God in whose image they were made.” Alsup highlights that it is women’s status as image bearers that make demand justice is obtained for women who have been oppressed, violated, and harmed in any way. Alsup’s book reveals that God’s sufficient and holy Word is in fact good for women. Is The Bible Good For Women is an essential read. It offers insight, healing, and understanding for all women (and men) whether they are skeptics of the Bible’s goodness or have longed held firm to the Word’s goodness for women.
Alsup carefully dissects difficult texts in both the Old and New Testaments in order to reveal the character of Christ and how these texts ultimately point toward the goodness of God’s Word for women. Instead of avoiding Old Testament texts detailing injustices and harm towards women, Alsup carefully navigates how these passages reveal the character of God and His plan for Christ to offer a sacrifice that would offer true redemption and justice for women. Later, Alsup examines the common New Testament passages that cause many women to doubt the goodness of God’s woman for the female gender. While examining passages such as 1 Timothy 2 and Ephesians 5, Alsup emphasizes the importance of studying these passages within the greater context of Scripture and the cultural norms of the age.
Is The Bible Good For Women effectively communicates that God deeply cares for the goodness, justice, sanctification, and redemption of the women who uniquely bear His image. Alsup asserts that, “it is nearly impossible to value women and put forth their needs and rights correctly without first valuing the God in whose image they were made.” Alsup highlights that it is women’s status as image bearers that make demand justice is obtained for women who have been oppressed, violated, and harmed in any way. Alsup’s book reveals that God’s sufficient and holy Word is in fact good for women. Is The Bible Good For Women is an essential read. It offers insight, healing, and understanding for all women (and men) whether they are skeptics of the Bible’s goodness or have longed held firm to the Word’s goodness for women.
alltheradreads's review
3.0
This one... I'm still not sure about. It's the kind of title that makes my blood boil, but I wanted to give it a chance. There were parts I loved. There were parts I vehemently hated. There were parts that made me think and consider things from a new angle (which I appreciate) and parts where I feel like she totally missed the mark and did more damage to the perception of what it means to be a woman than has already been done... (did not appreciate that). So, I don't know about this one. Interesting thoughts, glad I read them, but probably wouldn't recommend this one strongly.
oliviaoverthinkseverything's review against another edition
5.0
I consider myself both a feminist and a devout believer in the Christian faith. However, my lack of understanding of certain theological concepts and the cultural/linguistic context of many parts of the Bible, including concerning passages about women, have often left me feeling, for lack of a better term, "squicky." Throwing in the centuries of men's misuse of Scripture to oppress and abuse makes things even more complicated.
This book was a godsend for me. Alsup writes in a clear and concise way that is accessible to the seasoned believer and the areligious skeptic alike. Her arguments are well-organized and supported, and helped me resolve several points of tension I've felt between Scripture and the loving, just God I know I serve. While Is the Bible Good for Women? is not an exhaustive work, it is a wonderful resource for those who, like myself, have often found themselves conflicted over this issue. I recommend to everyone, Christian or not, who regards the Bible with suspicion when it comes to gender issues. I especially recommend to those who were reared in traditions that used Scripture out of context to subjugate, demean, or oppress women, as Alsup does a wonderful job of discrediting those who have distorted God's word.
This book was a godsend for me. Alsup writes in a clear and concise way that is accessible to the seasoned believer and the areligious skeptic alike. Her arguments are well-organized and supported, and helped me resolve several points of tension I've felt between Scripture and the loving, just God I know I serve. While Is the Bible Good for Women? is not an exhaustive work, it is a wonderful resource for those who, like myself, have often found themselves conflicted over this issue. I recommend to everyone, Christian or not, who regards the Bible with suspicion when it comes to gender issues. I especially recommend to those who were reared in traditions that used Scripture out of context to subjugate, demean, or oppress women, as Alsup does a wonderful job of discrediting those who have distorted God's word.
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