My local church decided last year to read A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans as a book study, and so over the course of the year the study group has read, studied, and pondered Evans book chapter by chapter. Initially, I was worried that it was going to be a bit on the floopier side of things; more a humorous undertaking, without a real understanding of the issues that come into play when taking scripture literally and employing it in today’s context, a context for which it was not originally written. However, after a year of working my way through this momentous book, I am in awe. In awe of what I have learned and have been better able to understand the scriptures and their contexts, as well as the personal journey that I have experienced and the changes within myself and my methods of thinking about scripture.
The book predominantly questions what is “biblical womanhood”, particularly for today’s post-modern woman. It does this by exploring the common themes and issues that Christianity has found for woman: gentleness, domesticity, obedience, valor, beauty, modesty, purity, fertility, submission, justice, silence, and grace. Aside from exploring these issues, each chapter is also paired with a woman from scripture, who possesses elements of the issue discussed. Studying these women, as well as the traditional context and biblical languages are what allows the reader to enter into a deeper understanding of passages that reference the common themes. While Evans is undeniably witty, this is also a profound book with accurate references and facts that are made accessible to all regardless of their faith upbringing, or biblical knowledge and understanding.
I would recommend this book because while it is light-hearted and a straightforward read, it is anything but fluffy.