Rev. Dawn B. Young, Ed.D. is the Director of Christian Education for the Louisiana Conference. She also reviews books for Different Voice. This month, Dawn reviewed women’s study books or studies on Women in the Bible.
Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible and What He Wants to Do With You by John MacArthur
I am continually asked about Bible study resources for women. For women in mainline or progressive churches there is a lack of strong study materials. While there is a plethora of works that are either watered down or steeped in denominational dogma, little is available for hardcore Biblical exploration that focuses upon women. Personally, I don’t like to categorize Biblical studies, but I do understand the need and more importantly the desire. So let me take a look at a few mainline Bible studies that focus upon women.
First, I have to admit that I picked up this book because of its title. Well, not so much its title, but the title to the companion book. This book, Twelve Extraordinary Women, is the companion title to Twelve Ordinary Men. I did purchase both. Unfortunately, extraordinary really only appears in the title. The book is a bit predictable, which will probably make it great for a Bible study group that doesn’t want to risk anything. All the regular ladies of the Bible are here; Eve, Sarah, Mary, Anna, Lydia, nothing at all surprising. You aren’t given the Biblical reference about the woman, except embedded in the text, so you have to stop reading the chapter to refer to the Bible. It is always a little awkward juggling two books. There are no teacher’s guides or questions in the book. The subtitle suggests that the book will give you some idea about what God wants to do with you. Apparently that is in the three page epilogue, because I couldn’t really find it anywhere else. My recommendation for this book is use it to be on the safe side.
Read Dawn's other reviews here.