When this book made its way onto the market, I was excited.  Elyse Fitzpatrick is one of my favorite authors which means I check out everything she writes.  Because I work in women’s ministry in a local church, I was very curious to see how the value of women would be developed.  My curiosity was also peaked because of the co-authorship with Eric Schumacher.  Could a man and a woman work together to produce a book to explain the value of women in the Bible?  The answer to that is a resounding “YES”!

The first time I read this book straight through without marking any words or pages.  I just read it for the pure enjoyment of reading it.  It was a joy to read as Elyse and Eric walked through the Bible siting the way God valued women.  They took the time to explore the value of women in creation, fall, God’s promises, Israel’s history, Jesus’ life and death, and today in the church.  It was evident each of these areas were written from deep conviction and study. The reading was delightful, but I knew I needed to read it again in order to really remember and apply the truths within the book.

In my second reading, I noted many valuable truths about God and how he views women.

“…God created humanity in stereo.” Page 26  What a wonderful truth presented by Eric concerning creation!  You need to hear both sides of the music when listening in stereo for it to really be complete and make sense.  Both channels, male and female, are important to God and necessary to work together for the glory of God.

“The woman is not an animal to be subdued, domesticated, used, or ruled over.” Page 35  This is a great way to describe woman’s position as helper.  It’s a position for which she is created. She doesn’t need to be trained for it like an animal.  God has created her for this position.

“When we use the presence or actions of women to excuse the immoral actions of men, we follow Adam in the mistreatment of women.  In essence we’re saying, ‘If it weren’t for women, I would never sin.’” Page 52  This is something we must take seriously.  A woman can’t make a man sin or vice versa.  We choose sin based on our own sinful desires.  This book reminds us of many songs in the world today that make women the cause of man’s sin.  We need to be careful not to fall into this trap of blame shifting whether man or woman.

“It tells us that Jesus welcomes audacious faith.  It tells us that we can presume upon his love and press into his goodness without fear of his censure.” Page 96  This quote comes after a look at the unclean woman who dared to touch Jesus.  He responded by healing her, and calling her daughter. Jesus was not turned off by this unclean woman.  He didn’t turn away. Israel’s law didn’t keep him from welcoming this unclean woman.  What a wonderful message to women!  No matter where we come from or what we’ve done, Jesus welcomes us as we approach him in faith.

“Women, you are free to discern what kind of vocation the Lord is calling you to and he will use you as you work in wisdom for his glory.”  Page 135  There are so many options for women today concerning career.  God has gifted women in different ways but the key is that the gifting is used for his glory.  It is good to not be extra biblical when it comes to careers for women.  Not every woman will be a wife or a mother.  Some will choose other ways of life to follow.  The key is all for God’s glory.

“Women and men together began making disciples and teaching the Word of truth; they were ambassadors for God.”  Page 195  I love this reminder that we are to work alongside each other as men and women for the gospel.  This is how the church should operate today, with men and women working as a team to promote the gospel to the world.

“Women are to see themselves as worthy, not because they’ve accomplished great things, or because they are married and have well-ordered homes, but rather because they are created in the image of God, redeemed by the Son, and gifted to fulfill his commission.”  Page 213  This is a valuable truth about who we are as women and from whom our worth is derived.

These are only a few of the nuggets I gleaned from this book.  The promotion of our identity not being our gender but our status in Christ is huge!  There is so much to be encouraged from in this book, that I’m going to be taking our Women’s Ministry Team through it this coming year.  We will discuss it slowly and hopefully will be drawn closer to God by its content.  So yes, I will be reading it a third time and I know that I’ll find more gems to encourage me to follow hard after Christ as the woman he’s created me to be.