"exploring God's radical notion that women are people, too"
"I'll never fit in with Christian women..."
I said these hushed words to my husband as we left a small group one night.
Looking back, I can see that it was kind of a silly statement. The night had been discussions of children and cooking and clothing - things that I actually do enjoy, but they felt frivolous at the time. I was missing deep conversation and connection. During the long, lonely hours as a SAHM I was (am) mentally wrestling through all that I read on popular Christian sites.
Why were these amazing debates taking place online and in books where Christian women spoke with strong voices and yet, when I went to Church, I felt like all the women talked about were recipes and kids and decorating and dieting? Was the conversation only happening online?
Reading Sarah Bessey's book, Jesus Feminist
, I'm realizing that I was wrong ( and that I should probably get used to that feeling). I think that all over Christendom these women - strong women who want to challenge and to be challenged - do exist. But maybe, like me, they're used to churches telling women to be "gentle and quiet", but not telling them to use leadership skills. And they're used to churches with a "brain-check" at the front door next to the coat check. And they're used to feminism being "the f word" in Church. And so, like me, these women have decided to just take the easy route and keep their voices to hushed tones.
But what I'm realizing is that strong women who want more from the Church are all around me. And I'm so excited to see where that takes me in the next year of hard conversations and growing friendships and women challenging women to do more and be better.
Whew. All that was just an intro to my thoughts on the book. I'll try to hurry up after this. :)
{I am a bit self-conscious about posting pictures of myself...and I am a Jesus feminist ;)
Also, if you didn't know, Sarah collected pictures of people with similar signs.
I didn't come up with this idea on my own. }
surprised me. I expected Sarah Bessey's writing to be bold and scandalous and very heavy on research. And it was, in some ways. But what surprised me was how personal this book was. Sarah wrote to ME. Her words were like a thick blanket wrapped around my shoulders, cocooning and comforting. She asks her readers to "lay down our ideas, our neatly organized Bible verses, our carefully crafted arguments" (p.1) and instead, invites us to a conversation.
From the beginning, Sarah wrote gently and kindly and truthfully. While many people might have negative stereotypes they associate with the word "feminist" (read: angry, bitter), Sarah's tone is completely different. It was a bit off-setting for me at the beginning because this book was not what I expected. If you're looking for a book goes through each verse pertaining to women and painstakingly proves (or disproves) why you should be a feminist, this is not the book you're looking for. This book is about leaving our entrenched sides and coming together to see the Kingdom of God at work. It was obvious that the book was well-researched, but it was not scholarly.
I loved how Sarah used her own life stories (and those of her friends) in this book. She writes of childhood and childbirth, marriage and ministry, hurts and happiness. She combines stories and Scriptures and quotes and hard truth, and when it all comes together, it works. It captured my attention and engaged both my brain and my heart.
One part stuck out to me: "Often when a woman exhibits leadership, she's accused of having that Jezebel spirit. I look forward to the day when women with leadership and insight, gifts and talents, callings and prophetic leanings are called out and celebrated as Deborah, instead of silenced as a Jezebel" (p. 92) Yes. Yes! I wish this wasn't revolutionary in western Christianity, but it is! And I too look forward to the day when women are celebrated as leaders, scholars and pastors in the Church.
I've read criticism that Sarah's book didn't go far enough. And I understand where those people are coming from. In some ways, I do think she could have pushed further. But I think she ended up with a gracious book that will speak to both sides and will start the conversation rolling in churches. Rather than focusing on the minute details, Sarah looks at the bigger picture. To her, being a feminist is being part of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Before reading this book, I was comfortable calling myself a Christian and a feminist. But Sarah's book helped me delve deeper into the conflation of those, which I appreciate. This is a book I plan to read again and will recommend to friends, both male and female. I am already looking forward to the conversations that will take place because of Jesus Feminist
.
My rating: 5 stars
{Finished book on my little red desk}
If you've read Jesus Feminist
(or read Sarah's blog), I'd love for you to let me know what you thought! :)
**This post contains Amazon Associates links
