The author weaves a wonderful tapestry illuminating the stories of the women, from the New Testament era right up to the twenty-first-century, many of whom have given so much to the cause of Christ. A true historian, Diana Severance brings to life the times of the women she introduces us to, with relevant, helpful and interesting background and cultural allusions. She deals with the disputed biblical texts about women in a clear and theological way, with no polemic or irenic spirit. She manages to demonstrate the liberating power of the gospel in the lives of women but she is no feminist. Quotations, for example from the early church fathers, help us with information about the development and importance of the role of women in the spread of the gospel in the home and in society. Extracts from hymns, poems and other writings of women pepper the book. The author presents us with real women, not hagiographies. She is ready to engage with controversy, for example, Mariolatry. The book is full of interesting asides, for example, Susannah Wesley’s rules for bringing up children. The author has been meticulous in her bibliography and has numerous footnotes, signposting to books, articles and websites where further information can be derived. This book will make a valuable contribution to church history – but it is more than an academic treatise. Christian women who want to approach their Christian service from a complementarian perspective should read this book and be encouraged.
Sheila Stephen
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A little known quarryman in Wales
Thank you for your wonderful article. I happened onto the movie, "Bey
graham wood
I was interested in the above review of Diana Severance’s book. Although I have not read this as yet, I note that the author is commended for her approach to “the disputed biblical texts about women” which is done in a clear and theological way.
This is encouraging for in the current stormy debate about so called “gender roles” in the church there is huge mis-understanding about these disputed texts. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 14: 34 – 36 are central to this debate and these have been used to silence women in the church for far too long.
In this connection I cannot recommend too strongly a new work on these biblical texts from the pen of Conservative writer Dr. Jon Zens in his “What’s With Paul & Women? – Unlocking the cultural background to 1 Timothy 2′.
It is commended by no less than 17 evangelical leaders in the USA who publish their review of the impact of this book upon them. Dr. Zens presents a powerful case by way of exposure of the deep flaws in the theology of those who take the ‘traditional’ view of ‘silent women’ which is based on both mis-translations and misunderstanding related to these texts. But more positively he explains the hugely important cultural background of the contexts concerned. It is certainly the best, clearest, and shortest commentary on the gender issues concerned. All for only £8 and delivered 2/3 days via Amazon !
For those who have not seen this it is in my view a “must read”.