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REVIEWS
Women in a Patriarchal World :
25 Empowering stories from the Bible
Elaine Storkey ( April 2020 )
144pp , RRP £ 9.99
LIVING FOR ETERNITY
Knowing the God of Forever
Kate Patterson ( Muddy Pearl , October 2020 )
200pp , RRP £ 12.99
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 fulltime 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 .
Jane Mitchell
Revd . Jane Mitchell Vicar of Sway Twitter : @ RevJaneMitchell
This is an interesting and well written book on the crucial , biblical topic of eternal life . Kate Patterson has an easy writing style that would make this book accessible to new Christians , especially those who need reassurance that God loves them and calls them by name . She draws on examples from personal acquaintances and uses a wide selection of well-chosen quotations , finishing each chapter with questions for the reader and a prayer that sums up the main points she has made .
The book would also be particularly helpful for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one , as Kate draws on her own recent experience of the sudden and unexpected death of her husband , Trevor , from a heart attack . This permeates the book and has helped her to come to a deeper understanding of grief and of the meaning of eternal life . At times , however , I was uneasy with her willingness to take literally the biblical imagery of heaven .
I particularly liked the emphasis throughout the book on living in eternity here and now , as we come to know God ’ s love for us , and not just ‘ Living for Eternity ’ as a future hope . The second and longer part of the book aims to help the reader to explore this in more detail by taking them on what the writer calls a ‘ journey of knowing the God of forever ’ and ‘ our journey of gazing on God .’ However , I felt that the author ’ s strengths lie in narration and exposition , hinting at how our lifestyles might change if we live with eternity in our hearts , rather than in encouraging rapt contemplation .
One cannot help but admire the huge amount of substance in this book , so well expressed . Preachers will find in Part 2 a lot of helpful material for sermons on biblical topics such as the stories of Hagar , Abraham with Isaac , and Daniel , and themes such as the Fatherhood of God and the Good Shepherd .
Jan Thompson
C of E Lay Reader , I am part of the Ministry Team in a benefice of three rural parishes in Kent .