Women in a Patriarchal World: Twenty-five Empowering Stories from the Bible [9780281084074]

The Bible includes many stories about women: some well-known and respected, others lesser known; some named, others whose names are not given. In some of these stories, men are depicted negatively by the storyteller; in other men barely feature at all, except in the background or as powerful outsiders. All the compilers of these narratives were probably men, and all of them are set within an ancient world of patriarchal norms and conditions. And yet many of these narratives express the authentic voices of women, and in some cases the original sources will have been the women themselves.
In Women in a Patriarchal World Elaine Storkey focuses on the stories of women who faced a range of challenges and life-changing decisions. Her investigations will lead you to fully appreciate the authenticity of these accounts. They will prompt you to see the connections with our own lives and times. And above all they will empower you to respond more faithfully and intelligently to the many challenges that women are still confronted with today. This book will open your eyes to the many connections between the challenges faced by women - then and now.

PREACH REVIEW:
This book highlights the strength of women used by God – an overarching biblical narrative that is often missed or hidden.

I relished reading about the lives of women in a patriarchal world because it helped bring alive their contribution and place in the Bible. Some of the characters were new to me so this improved my basic understanding of the Bible in a way that was really helpful. Other stories were very familiar, but the way Elaine Storkey writes drew me into the moment and the context in a new way and that revealed a richer understanding of the text.

I felt a sense of relief and justice that the stories of these women are having a light shined upon them. Readers seeking to extend their biblical knowledge, investigate the role of women in society or be informed about how God has used women for his divine purpose, will be interested in reading this book.

A great strength is that the book is set out in 25 short chapters so can be dipped into, referred to, or read sequentially. It is a useful reference book that can be used alongside commentaries for extra information when preaching. The book is written in a storytelling style so is easily readable by everyone – it is not a technical book with long words. Each chapter has a ‘Facing our Challenges Today’ section which offers a way to think through how the women’s stories impact our lives now. Each chapter also has a couple of ‘starter’ questions so it is ready made for small group or individual studies.

Overall, I found the book an encouragement in my own life as a full time ordained female minister. I am so grateful for those who have gone before me and for the contribution of men and women over many years to highlight women in a patriarchal world. I continue to give thanks. This book is a significant, albeit small, part of this overall shared journey.

Preach magazine book review by Rev Jane Mitchell Vicar of Sway Twitter: @RevJaneMitchell vicar@swaychurch.com

AUTHOR:

Elaine Storkey is a philosopher, sociologist and theologian, having held posts at the Open University, King's College, London, and the University of Oxford. In 1997 she became President of Tearfund, and has since been involved in monitoring aid, relief and advocacy work in countries of the Global South. In 2010, she and her husband Alan became founder members of Restored, an organization committed to advocating against violence to women. Her writings include The Search for Intimacy and The Origins of Difference. Her last book, Scars Across Humanity: Understanding and overcoming violence against women, won the Christianity Today 2019 Book of the Year Award, Politics and Public Life.