Book Review: Jesus Feminist an Invitation to Revisit the Bible’s View of Women

I guess I need to disclose right from the beginning, that this book sat by my bedside for almost nine months. For those who are familiar with my school schedule, know that when I am taking classes, I don’t find much time for anything else, and that includes any supplemental reading. It was my dear friend, Lucille, who introduced me to Sarah’s blog, and after reading a few of her blog posts I decided to subscribe to her blog and tucked her posts away and read them when I could. When the book came out I was very ambivalent about even reading it, for I wasn’t sure if I was really ready to read a “church” book. My journey towards healing from the churches we have attended has traversed many hills and valleys and I felt like I was finally getting somewhere. And then the new issues of abuse that surfaced in the last few months that seemed to send my heart reeling once again. However, this last semester so many things happened that really prepared me for this book. I was given constructive and encouraging feedback from my professors and faculty this last semester to pursue working with women and children that come from various forms of abuse; both professors called it my life’s work. Their affirming words helped pave the way for me to read this book. 

I hope it will affirm and encourage you in the manner you need for the season that you are in.

For those who haven’t read one of my book reviews, a large portion of my review includes the places where the author touched my soul, for me, that matters much more than style.  One last thing, I couldn’t help but read this book from a sociological perspective, not just from a spiritual one. Right from the start I saw a consensus perspective which Durkheim believed as why societies stayed together, maybe that is because I have studied him so much, I see him everywhere. J That being said, I see this same spirit in this book; Sarah’s perspective is all about consensus instead of conflict and for me, this is so refreshing.

My Top Ten reasons why I think this book should be read:

1.       Sarah addresses such a wide audience. Having many friends in the writing field, and being a student the first thing one learns, is to know your audience. Well, the title Jesus Feminist has one leg one side of the fence and the other leg on the other side, and yet Sarah doesn’t sit on the fence, her intellectual and spiritual flexibility causes the reader to want to continue reading just to figure out how she is going to fuse what many would see as polar opposites. This is demonstrated in one of my favorite quotes from her, “Feminism is complicated and it varies for each person, much like Christianity.” (pg13)

2.      So let’s talk about feminism for a moment, I like her perspective of feminism as being egalitarian, which is not belittling one gender over the other. It doesn’t include hating men, calling them names or even burning your bra. If you feel the need to burn your bra, it most likely has something to do with wearing the wrong size, not a perspective on life, I am just saying. J Secondly, what I love about Sarah’s version of feminism is she takes away the quotation marks away. Let me explain. While reading a book about women in American history which changed my major from history to sociology, one of the authors put egalitarians in quotation marks, meaning that egalitarians really weren’t quite feminist enough. On the flip side attending patriarchal churches, women get put in quotation marks as being weaker, not as educated or the need to be as educated- I don’t want be “boxed in” or marked, thank you. We are women who believe that God sees and loves men and women equally. It is this type of feminism that Sarah goes teaches.

3.       Sarah also talks about those who believe in complementary vs. egalitarian, so here is my take: even if one doesn't quite agree with the egalitarian viewpoint, could the reader not gain some understanding of where the egalitarian stands? I believe so. Maybe not every reader will change how they believe by reading this book, but I do believe they have an opportunity to few this perspective from someone who writes with authenticity and humility. I believe those who lean more to the right or to the left have the opportunity to view women in church differently.

4.       From the beginning Sarah invites the reader to join her on the beach with a glass of wine or beverage, and by setting the tone of friendship, the theme of community is woven throughout the book from the beginning, which goes back to consensus. So many authors take one position and that is it, take it or leave it especially on a polarizing argument. (Here I would say she was being a great sociologist, finding neutral language and middle ground that both sides could at least see.)

5.       One of the most compelling reasons why I continued reading this book wasn’t due to all the great arguments, but for those that need all of the facts, I believe she does a great job with building excellent arguments and brings evidence to support her ideas. But for me, it was that this author wrote from places of pain ̶a heart that has been broken has such potential to reach readers after the author has walked through pain. This author speaks from those deep places of the heart and the soul. Many times, I was tearing up, because I could relate to the pain and shame that was sent from pulpits and from the pews. Gender codes and roles are describe in certain manners where much pain and frustration coincide. This is not just a church issue; it is a societal issue. We want to label things and put them in their place, for we crave a sense of order. But for those that don’t fit in those boxes and slots, this book will bring hope and healing.

6.     Living as one loved. This is a theme throughout the book and is really the heart of the book. For me, it brought back the trip that Chuck and I took before his accident and how loved I felt by spending time with him, uninterrupted time of fellowship, discovery, and passion. I was forever changed. For the longest time, I felt it was cruel that I had for such a short time feeling that loved. It wasn’t like Chuck didn’t love me, but the brain injuries changed everything and we are working not to go back to where we were, but to a new place. If as a wife I could understand that freedom, then reading this book only built upon the foundation which I felt had been forgotten. Knowing and understanding how loved, truly loved we are, brings such freedom that we find our voices and start helping others. Sarah describes this through many stories and metaphors that I believe speaks to many different women. In fact she talks about how frustrating it is to be lumped together, as if we all had the same passion or interests.

7.      Chapters five and seven are amazing! Maybe it isn’t fair to single out a couple of chapters, but these two spoke to me in such profound ways. “Dancing Warriors” and “A Narrative Reborn” these two chapters speak about being married and giving birth. I absolutely loved how she described the birthing process as a way to understand Christ, which can only come from a mother’s perspective. She reminds us about these stories in us, that need to be shared and told that will bring healing and comfort to others. Speaking of giving birth Sarah writes, “There is something godly in the waiting, in the mystery, in the fact that we are a part of it ̶ a partner with it but not the author of it” (pg 116).

8.       I love the fact that Sarah shies away from continuing the mommy wars, in fact she talks about each action that women give as a gift and that it shouldn’t be compared to others. This book is filled with beautiful, broad strokes of freedom and grace that encourages women to embrace who they were created to be. The performance driven mentality is taken away, and what is left is a sense of holiness that comes from doing the laundry to starting global ministries and everything in between.

9.       She speaks to the woman who ministers within her home, her church, her neighborhood, her state, country, and then globally. Each with a reverence and a blessing. I really can’t stress enough how she tries to erase these lines, boxes, and values that the church and society places on women. So much of history has been based upon how men see the world and we struggle to find affirmation in who we are, what we look like, and what we choose to do; Sarah affirms women and in doing so, she doesn’t put men down in the process. She shows how beautiful equal submission to one another looks like. She sees how so many women are silenced or pushed aside because of their gender and cannot fulfill what God has called them to do and how the church and the world are suffering because of this.

10.Getting to the last chapter is just wonderful. It is such a blessing. 

I would love to hear your feedback on the book or maybe a different book that has pointed the way to go in your life. When a book takes up residence within your heart, you know that you have to tell others. 

Phone calls from dear friends or Carolina on my mind

North Carolina 2002

Years ago I took my kids to North Carolina and as we drove along the coast James Taylor played softly in the background. In fact, he is one of the favorites to bring along on any road trip. His music brings up this homey feeling of nostalgia of the past, of old friends and relationships and all the meaning that comes from knowing these precious people. I am not sure why James Taylor does that for me, except for when I was getting ready to move in with my biological father after finding him when I was sixteen; the lady I was living with at the time, who was one of my mother figures in my life loved James Talyor and Simon and Garfunkel.  She played Bridge over Trouble Water for me as my going away song to remind me that she would always be there for me, especially if things became difficult. She stayed true to her promise and took me back in just a few short months later. I guess that style of music and the genre has influenced me throughout my life, especially the sentiment, her actions will always be remembered through the  message of the music that took root in me at such a young age.

 Tonight I thought of James Taylor's song as a dear friend I don't get to talk to very often called, and hearing her sweet voice brought back the same nostalgia. Close relationships can create such lovely songs of the soul; they may not be written for musical instruments, but they play upon the heart strings and cords that are only created as friends who have walk through difficult times as well as the joyful times in life.

As we caught up with each other's life I was transported back to her house drinking tea sitting on her couch like so many times before. Talking about our kids, husbands, writing, and trying to encourage each other to continue along the path were given to traverse. Looking back at those sweet times of communion, I had no idea how knitted our hearts had become, but as we each faced difficult times we were able to come in help, encourage, cry with,  pray with, and laugh with. Tonight I realized how much I missed those times, and yet, I realized I couldn't go back. I could enjoy the present moment, and how it was mingled with the sweet remembrances of times past, but we are on different paths now, however a phone call can connect us as if we haven't been separated at all. Isn't that like nostalgia? Remembering, connecting, internalizing the past, present, and future all at the same time. 

Just as I finished one conversation, another dear friend called to talk with me about deep issues that are taking place in so many people we know. With heavy hearts we considered the victims, all the families influenced by certain people's actions and what damage has been done. Once again as moms, we spoke of the hearts' of those younger than us and how we wanted healing and restitution and resolution and where did justice come in and where did grace come into the picture.  My friend used to do my hair and we would talk and talk as she tried to work miracles with my hair. :) Our conversations tended to always go to the deep places with ease. Those places of the heart, the places of hurt, and the sacred places. As I listened to joy in my friend's voice, she said, "I have found my voice!" Nothing is sweeter to my ears than to hear one of my friend's that has found her voice. It is in finding our voice we also find the empowerment to create the melodies of the soul, where blues are birthed, and where freedom rings through jazz.

This is what I heard as each friend shared her heart, each woman had such a strong voice, each  was coming into her own, though on different paths with different tasks at hand, yet, that feminine voice, that maternal tenderness brought such harmony, such sweetness. These conversations caused yearning in me to return to Colorado, where my friends and family are, but I must stay my course, finish what I have started here. I know I this is where I belong for now. However, like James Taylor sings, "In my mind I'm going to Carolina. Can't you see the sunshine, can't you just feel the moonshine? Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I'm going to Carolina in my mind." 
For me, it is my heart, where all those memories are tucked away; tonight I had the privilege to pull them out and see them with joy instead of sadness.

Birth-giver

Last night I started reading Walking on the Water by Madeleine L'Engle, and in the first chapter she writes:
"The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birth-giver."

What a statement, for those whom have given birth know how intense the process is, and to compare that to being creative. This made me think of the whole process, from conception of giving birth and what it means to be a birth-giver. What starts out as a stimulating moment can lead to shock for some when they realize they are carrying new life, or for some they come to the realization of how they feel in the morning. New cravings and emotional moments correlate with a changing body that shows a new life residing within. All of the adjustments that new life requires is life changing in itself; the planning, preparing, and purchasing takes so much time and energy.

Comparing all this to being creative- that moment of inspiration and jubilee, when a new project, book, painting, or sculpture comes to mind all the excitement is there. But the excitement fades as the hard work begins and more times than not, it takes many drafts, tries, and starts before that new creation comes alive. As L'Engle calls us co-creators in each project we take on, there can be much consternation in the process that causes nausea and tears, just as if we were carrying life within us. It takes much planning, time management, preparation, and resources to finish what was started. Some of my photo collages took over a year before I felt they were finished. However, some projects take much longer than any natural birth, they sit dormant or have a much slower time line where life influences the artist and thus, the art.


I see this process in me as I continue my education. Each obstacle that I have had to overcome to continue has shaped me in a different way. So many times I was either tempted or offered an out, but so far I have stayed the course, not at the pace I would have preferred, nevertheless I have made progress each class, and each semester. Most people see the "art" or the end project, but what they don't see is all the hard work that it took to create that piece, whether is physical labor, emotional labor, psychological labor, or manual labor, it is the entire process from the beginning of conception to the creation that takes a servant's heart, one who is willing to do whatever it takes to create, even at the end when one feels like they don't have the strength to push one more time. And then, that little life comes forth and all the pain and anguish is forgotten. I know that is how I will feel when I walk across the stage to receive my diploma. All of the training, moving, studying, writing, reading, and crying will be worth it. This education is not only giving me ample opportunities for employment opportunities, but I believe it is giving me the confidence and tools to become a better writer and photographer, thus a better artist. I have longed to show the beauty that is all around from nature, to the essence of people as I take their portraits. My hope is that they will see a reflection of glory that will encourage them. In many ways my education is leading me to be able to do the same thing, but with women and children that have come out of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse. I believe they need to see that they have it within themselves, that beautiful glory, they may need a bit of help to see it. 

 As I near my "third trimester", if you will, I know things can get very uncomfortable, and yet, there is great expectation. When I enter my senior year in the fall, I hope to garner more knowledge and technique, that will help me serve, write, and take photos. But I also hope I receive more insight and understanding that will help me to serve, write, and take photos that will encourage, inspire, and illustrate that there is glory all around if we open our eyes, and that there is this mysterious glory found within that desires to create and partake of life.

How about you, do you see yourself giving birth or in the process? What projects are you working on and at what stage?