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Fashioned to Reign: Empowering Women to Fulfill Their Divine Destiny
Bethel pastor and bestselling author Kris Vallotton delivers a powerful, liberating teaching for women, revealing the special role and vital purpose God has for them.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2013
163 people are currently reading
1047 people want to read
About the author
Kris Vallotton
131 books277 followersKris Vallotton is the senior associate pastor under the senior pastor Bill Johnson at Bethel Church in Redding, California
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 19, 2014
Kris hits some great points about empowering women but the book suffers from poor editing and a confusing structure. It is interspersed with visions he's had, profiles of women in history and some points where he actually does some teaching.
If you're not familiar with his preaching voice, you could easily miss his tone. The book is written like a transcript from some of his sermons, which isn't always a good thing. There's a reason books are books and sermons are sermons. Different media is meant to be consumed in different ways.
All that aside, if you can get past some of his stranger theories about Adam being created as both a man and woman (he admittedly says it's just a thought), there is some gold hidden in the book.
I loved the context he brings to the main passages used against women in ministry/leadership. He points to the goddess worship in the 3 locations where Paul writes the most prohibitive language towards women.
Kris is definitely no scholar and his research comes across as such. But he does have some powerful revelation if you have ears to hear it.
I would recommend the book simply for the gold nuggets you can mine out of it but don't expect the most compelling writing.
If you're not familiar with his preaching voice, you could easily miss his tone. The book is written like a transcript from some of his sermons, which isn't always a good thing. There's a reason books are books and sermons are sermons. Different media is meant to be consumed in different ways.
All that aside, if you can get past some of his stranger theories about Adam being created as both a man and woman (he admittedly says it's just a thought), there is some gold hidden in the book.
I loved the context he brings to the main passages used against women in ministry/leadership. He points to the goddess worship in the 3 locations where Paul writes the most prohibitive language towards women.
Kris is definitely no scholar and his research comes across as such. But he does have some powerful revelation if you have ears to hear it.
I would recommend the book simply for the gold nuggets you can mine out of it but don't expect the most compelling writing.
January 20, 2018
One of the worst books I have read to date. The twisting of scripture that occurs for the arguments that Kris want's to make to is at times almost hilarious (but unfortunately it is such a dangerous matter that It's hard to find humour in it). What looks like exegesis in this book is actually quite often the interpretation of a "vision" that Kris has had based, often departing from quite markedly, some text in the Bible. The clearest example of this is early on in the book when Kris tells a story vaguely resembling Genesis 1 and 2, with some marked differences (such as Eve being created far earlier than the Bible states). This is then used to undermine Adams position as a Biblical prophet and turn Eve into a prophetess (this is the early foundations for a fallacious argument about 1 Timothy). The disrespect that is shown for the actual word of God, when compared to Kris' subjective visions is phenomenal.
The book also promotes known Prosperity Preachers (such as Joyce Meyers) as being bastions of women in ministry. If that is the best example that could be sourced, it would be like the Apostles putting forward Judas as an upstanding disciple. It either shows that Kris has no discernment when it comes to preachers (assuming popularity makes them a Christian rather than the faith they preach) or that he himself is promoting the false gospel of wealth and health (which is the vilest creation to call itself Christian in history). Either situation gives serious reason for alarm.
In any case, reading this book has only been useful to me in getting a better understanding of what 2 Peter 3:15-16 is referring to. If a person has to go so far out of the realms of orthodox Christianity to support their view, they are wrong. The godly thing to do would be to accept that and repent of the aberrant belief, Kris seems to have knuckled down and tried to spread it. I can only pray that he does repent and stop trying to twist and undermine the authority of Scripture to gain popularity and support a socially acceptable theology.
The book also promotes known Prosperity Preachers (such as Joyce Meyers) as being bastions of women in ministry. If that is the best example that could be sourced, it would be like the Apostles putting forward Judas as an upstanding disciple. It either shows that Kris has no discernment when it comes to preachers (assuming popularity makes them a Christian rather than the faith they preach) or that he himself is promoting the false gospel of wealth and health (which is the vilest creation to call itself Christian in history). Either situation gives serious reason for alarm.
In any case, reading this book has only been useful to me in getting a better understanding of what 2 Peter 3:15-16 is referring to. If a person has to go so far out of the realms of orthodox Christianity to support their view, they are wrong. The godly thing to do would be to accept that and repent of the aberrant belief, Kris seems to have knuckled down and tried to spread it. I can only pray that he does repent and stop trying to twist and undermine the authority of Scripture to gain popularity and support a socially acceptable theology.
July 6, 2024
Tough one! First of all: Dieses Buch sollte man im Ganzen lesen, sich darauf einlassen und erwarten, dass Jesus zu seinem Herzen spricht. Es stellt viele kulturelle Sichtweisen, die Christen über Frauen in Leiterschaft haben, auf sehr schöne Weise in Frage. Absolut befreiend! Gleichzeitig bestärkt Kris sehr nachdrücklich die Stärke, die in den Unterschieden der zwei Geschlechter liegen. Moderne Feministen hassen dieses Buch sicherlich.
Fünf Sterne, nicht weil ich zu allem Ja und Amen sage (wenn auch zu sehr vielem), aber weil es ein starkes Buch ist, um auf den Gedanken weiter zu kauen. Und weil mich selten ein Buch so ermutigt und frei gemacht hat.
Would recommend 🫶🏼
Fünf Sterne, nicht weil ich zu allem Ja und Amen sage (wenn auch zu sehr vielem), aber weil es ein starkes Buch ist, um auf den Gedanken weiter zu kauen. Und weil mich selten ein Buch so ermutigt und frei gemacht hat.
Would recommend 🫶🏼
March 4, 2019
Does no one hire editors anymore?!? This was a very frustrating book to read, for multiple reasons.
Poor writing style and editing. Partway through I looked up the author because I thought this might be his first book. Nope, he's written a bunch. Lots of tangents (sometimes mid-sentence), unnecessary additions, and an unclear target audience. There are mini-biographies on random women through the ages, but there is no real reason for these chapters. They don't connect strongly with the rest of the book, and their only purpose seems to be to provide examples of times that men were okay with women leaders.
It seemed that this book was supposed to be targeted for women, but there is still a strong patriarchal view that really turned me away. In the first chapter where he gives his own vision of Adam and Eve, she is the prototypical male fantasy of this shy dumb beautiful creature that he can teach. Barf. More than once he mentions "rescuing the princesses", still appealing for men to be the rescuers...from situations that men have perpetuated. There are other times in the book that he is clearly writing to women; if he wanted to write to both sexes there needed to be more awareness of the language being used.
I wish that there had been a strong (female) editor for this book. Because there are some things that were very useful and need to be talked about (esp. regarding translation issues, taking into account the culture of the times, Paul's writing style, etc.). But as often happens in Christian books, some of the hardest issues and passages were absent. I'm upset because this is a conversation that really needs to happen, but it was done poorly, and it feels like the publisher doesn't care enough to put out a well-written and researched book.
Poor writing style and editing. Partway through I looked up the author because I thought this might be his first book. Nope, he's written a bunch. Lots of tangents (sometimes mid-sentence), unnecessary additions, and an unclear target audience. There are mini-biographies on random women through the ages, but there is no real reason for these chapters. They don't connect strongly with the rest of the book, and their only purpose seems to be to provide examples of times that men were okay with women leaders.
It seemed that this book was supposed to be targeted for women, but there is still a strong patriarchal view that really turned me away. In the first chapter where he gives his own vision of Adam and Eve, she is the prototypical male fantasy of this shy dumb beautiful creature that he can teach. Barf. More than once he mentions "rescuing the princesses", still appealing for men to be the rescuers...from situations that men have perpetuated. There are other times in the book that he is clearly writing to women; if he wanted to write to both sexes there needed to be more awareness of the language being used.
I wish that there had been a strong (female) editor for this book. Because there are some things that were very useful and need to be talked about (esp. regarding translation issues, taking into account the culture of the times, Paul's writing style, etc.). But as often happens in Christian books, some of the hardest issues and passages were absent. I'm upset because this is a conversation that really needs to happen, but it was done poorly, and it feels like the publisher doesn't care enough to put out a well-written and researched book.
December 7, 2018
I was raised in a home and church where women were honoured and worked alongside men. This book simply gave better understanding behind the four or so verses in the entire Bible that seem to be contrary to the heart of Father. It is well worth the read and will give encouragement to those who know this to be true in their spirit but are lacking the vocabulary to explain it.
May 4, 2020
I read this book a few years ago and really liked it.
One thing I never noticed was that God gave the command to Adam to "be fruitful and multiply" before there was ever a separate woman on the scene. Christianity has traditionally used this phrase to encourage people to have children, but it seems like before Eve, there were no children. Was Adam being disobedient because he didn't "be fruitful and multiply"? Or maybe that's not what that means. I doubt he was being disobedient. It seems to me like God didn't have a problem with either of them until they are from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Kris Valloton has some interesting theories on man and woman especially in the beginning of this book. Some of it seems so far out, but let's face it, God is not status-quo and there are no rules that he doesn't make himself. So he can do whatever He wants, however strange it may seem to us (like creating tarantulas, may I add?). I don't know that I agree with all the author's hypotheses, but it does give me something to think about.
Kris Valloton's writing on Psalm 68 and Ephesians 4 (pg. 65-66) doesn't really make sense to me when he is trying to connect spiritual warfare and women via these passages. I don't see the connection, but I'm not gonna say it isn't there because I don't know everything.
There is a section on applying Scripture literally, all the way through, no matter what. Kris brings up the fact that the Bible is not a manual, and not every action or deed is what we ought to be doing. It's a story, a giant story, with many lessons in it. It is brought up that we need the Spirit of God to give us understanding, wisdom, discernment when reading the Bible. The Bible talks about this:
"Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." — 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NET
I'm impressed with how well Kris shapes his argument. Instead of saying, "Oh, it's modern times and a woman can do whatever she wants, blah blah blah," he actually has a lot of substance to his ideas. He tries to look at it from every angle, to leave no stone/question unturned, and provide a logical step-by-step explanation of what he's thinking and what he believes.
I don't agree with everything he wrote in this book, but I don't even agree with everything I do or say all the time either.
Some quotes from the book:
Overall, a very good book. I'll probably read it again in a few years.
4 stars.
One thing I never noticed was that God gave the command to Adam to "be fruitful and multiply" before there was ever a separate woman on the scene. Christianity has traditionally used this phrase to encourage people to have children, but it seems like before Eve, there were no children. Was Adam being disobedient because he didn't "be fruitful and multiply"? Or maybe that's not what that means. I doubt he was being disobedient. It seems to me like God didn't have a problem with either of them until they are from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Kris Valloton has some interesting theories on man and woman especially in the beginning of this book. Some of it seems so far out, but let's face it, God is not status-quo and there are no rules that he doesn't make himself. So he can do whatever He wants, however strange it may seem to us (like creating tarantulas, may I add?). I don't know that I agree with all the author's hypotheses, but it does give me something to think about.
Kris Valloton's writing on Psalm 68 and Ephesians 4 (pg. 65-66) doesn't really make sense to me when he is trying to connect spiritual warfare and women via these passages. I don't see the connection, but I'm not gonna say it isn't there because I don't know everything.
There is a section on applying Scripture literally, all the way through, no matter what. Kris brings up the fact that the Bible is not a manual, and not every action or deed is what we ought to be doing. It's a story, a giant story, with many lessons in it. It is brought up that we need the Spirit of God to give us understanding, wisdom, discernment when reading the Bible. The Bible talks about this:
"Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." — 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NET
I'm impressed with how well Kris shapes his argument. Instead of saying, "Oh, it's modern times and a woman can do whatever she wants, blah blah blah," he actually has a lot of substance to his ideas. He tries to look at it from every angle, to leave no stone/question unturned, and provide a logical step-by-step explanation of what he's thinking and what he believes.
I don't agree with everything he wrote in this book, but I don't even agree with everything I do or say all the time either.
Some quotes from the book:
"One of the curses over women was increased pain during childbirth, but the verse that had the greatest negative impact on womanhood was God's proclamation that their husbands would rule over them. The Hebrew word for 'rule' is mashal, which means 'to have dominion.' It is important for us to realize that before the curse, husbands and wives were commissioned to co-reign together (see Genesis 1:27-28). It was only after the curse that husbands were given dominion over their wives. But the apostle Paul said, "'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'" (Galations 3:13). When Jesus died on the cross, He broke the curse off mankind. Paul also said, "'For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death'" (Roman's 8:2).
In light of these things, my question is, 'What makes us think that men were set free from the curse of the Law at the cross, but that women should still be under the curse that allows husbands to dominate them in the name of God?'" (Pg. 66-67)
"Paul said, 'The husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He himself being the Saviot of the body' (Ephesians 5:23...). Too often we leave that little word as out of the equation. Christ demonstrated that headship is servant hood in motion. Headship is not about demanding husbands who reduce daughters of God to sex slaves or housemaids." (Pg. 226)
Overall, a very good book. I'll probably read it again in a few years.
4 stars.
September 30, 2019
"It is a battle that puts the sexes at war with each other as each sex creates standards from its own strengths that demean the other." (39)
"Whatever your take is on evolution, there is a huge difference between a species evolving into all of the species on the planet.
It is important to understand that Darwin's scientific theories have led us into cultural mind-sets that have been extremely destructive to the dignity of both women and men[. . .] This argument created two important core transitions in our thinking. First, instead of women and men being created in the image of God, as people once commonly believed, Darwinism taught us that our ancestors were not divine. Instead, they were apelike and had ultimately evolved from a amoeba. This transformed the way society valued human life because it reduced humans down to the level of smart apes.
Second, Darwin's theory of evolution taught us that we came about through a series of genetic mutations that transpired over billions of years. This meant there was no divine design or purpose for which we came about an no Creator who loved us enough to die for us. We are just the human race... all alone on this God-forsaken rock we call Earth, floating through the cosmos on a purposeless journey to nowhere.
Darwin's theory taught us that we are born to die with no eternity before us and no heaven after us." (40)
"The ramifications of having God as our Daddy (rather than some ape dragging is knuckles in the African jungle somewhere) is life changing. I hope you can see that which you believe about your origin makes a difference in the way you value yourself and humanity in general." (42)
"God took the woman out of the man so that they could experience yada with each other the way Adam did with God." (47) // "yada" translates as "relations" or "to know" and means "to be aware, to experience, to know very well, to understand, to learn and to regard" different from sexual relations
"The Bible says that Adam and the animals were both formed from dirt (which explains why our DNA is so closely linked). The Hebrew word formed is yatsar. But God fashioned (the Hebrew word hanah) the woman out of more sophisticated material. She is a second-generation creation." (47)
"'believing every word of the Bible' requires a relationship with the Spirit of God so that we can discern how to apply the Scriptures in a way that leads to the outcome the Author intended. Thousands of years ago, the wisest man in the world wrote, 'Knowledge is easy to one who has understanding' (Proverbs 14:6). It is only when we understand the heart of God that we can apply the knowledge of the Scriptures in a way that embraces His purposes." (83)
"...we often read the Bible to validate what we already believe is true, and we recount the stories in our minds to satisfy some need we have to be right instead of being transformed.
Second, the Bible commonly recounts stories in which God does not give us His perspective on the characters who lack integrity or whose worldview is flawed. [. . .] It simply highlights the fact that we need the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and that the Bible's silence on a matter does not mean that God condones a person's behavior." (85)
"The book of Proverbs was Solomon's greatest contribution to mankind. It was written to reveal to us the wisdom of a man in right relationship with God. But Ecclesiastes shows us the thoughts of the wisest man in the world after he has lost relationship with God." (86)
"...the Bible in the hands of the devil is not true. It takes the Word of God plus the Spirit of God to equal the Truth of God. The Word of God in the hands of anyone besides the Holy Spirit always leads to religion, bondage and death. 'For the letter kills,' as Paul said, 'but the Spirit gives life' (2 Corinthians 3:6)." (95) // emphasis added
"Jesus is perfect theology." (101) // Bill Johnson quotation
"Some may argue about whether or not a woman should carry the title of leader, elder, apostle, prophet or the like, but true leaders are acknowledged by titles, not created by them." (114)
"He wanted the woman to share her testimony. He wanted people to see that instead of Him becoming unclean when the woman on her cycle touched Him, she became clean." (123)
"...there is a huge difference between every man having authority over every woman, and a husband (who is being called to lay down his life for his wife) having the authority to lead his bride." (147) // 1 Cor. 11:3
"It is my conviction that God's divine truth overrides man's finite facts. I am convinced that God has an answer before we ever have a problem. After all, Jesus was crucified before the foundation of the world." (166)
"These verses (1 Tim. 2:11-15) stir up many difficult questions that we must honestly ponder as we navigate our way through this find, which can, if improperly excavated, be treacherously twisted to oppress women. Is Paul saying that a woman who has known the Lord for thirty years and has studied the Bible her entire life is not qualified to teach a brand-new male believer? Is Paul saying that there is no situation in which a woman should have authority over a man in a spiritual environment? Is Paul saying that because Eve was deceived, women should not be trusted with leadership ever again? What happened to the born-again experience that makes old things pass away and makes all things new? (See 2 Cor. 5:17)." (174)
"Let me make it clear that while gender distinctions should not determine where men and women lead, they should make a difference in how men and women lead." (191)
"God never gives a physical characteristic to one of His creations without it affecting the created one's divinely appointed role in life. As a matter of fact, I believe that God first determines a person's divine purpose, and then He designs the person with all of the characteristics needed to successfully apprehend his or her divine destiny." (192)
"The chamber God used to fabricate the woman was probably removed from the cavity that encompassed Adam's heart. This was a prophetic statement that Speaks to the fact that woman was made to stand alongside of man, for it was from the side chamber that she was fashioned. That woman was taken from a chamber close to man's heart is indicative of her intuitive nature - the way she processes from the heart to the head, as opposed to man, who processes from the head to the heart." (199)
"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." (208) / William Ross Wallace quotation
"I am reminded of Peter's exhortation to women: 'Let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God' (1 Peter 3:4). We need to value equally the full spectrum of honorable women and empower them to be all God has called them to be." (210)
"...some women are fighting a ghost from the past. For these women, any kind of conflict with a man is inflated, exaggerated and/or deemed discourteous. Whenever I have a disagreement with any woman who has the 'ghost syndrome,' I have learned to ask her to repeat back what she thinks I said. The difference between what I am trying to communicate and what she is hearing can be disheartening at times. Great communication requires both parties to take the time to listen to each other from the heart. [. . .] The 'ghost syndrome' can be triggered for various reasons in different women, and also in men." (211) // unreasonable or "hysterical" behavior is not gender specific
"It is not enough to be right; we must be redemptive if we are ever going to see a revolution that empowers both sexes equally and honorably." (212)
"I was created to help other people fulfill their destiny." (214) // Kathy Vallotton quotation regarding her greatest vision for her life
"...the refusal to acknowledge the difference between the sexes is costing us a generation." (215)
"After all, the apostle Paul said, 'Wives, be subject to your own husbands.' He did not say 'Women, be subject to every man.' As I have already stated, I do not think a theological case can be made that men as a sex have authority over women as a sex." (227)
Quotations from the poem "Motherhood" by Christianna Maas (216-217)
"...the pulse of life sends a constant reminder to both good and evil that I have yielded myself to Heaven and now carry its dream."
"Our footsteps marking land for conquest, we move undetected through the common places."
"Hope has feet, and it will run to the corners of earth, because I stood up against destruction."
"Whatever your take is on evolution, there is a huge difference between a species evolving into all of the species on the planet.
It is important to understand that Darwin's scientific theories have led us into cultural mind-sets that have been extremely destructive to the dignity of both women and men[. . .] This argument created two important core transitions in our thinking. First, instead of women and men being created in the image of God, as people once commonly believed, Darwinism taught us that our ancestors were not divine. Instead, they were apelike and had ultimately evolved from a amoeba. This transformed the way society valued human life because it reduced humans down to the level of smart apes.
Second, Darwin's theory of evolution taught us that we came about through a series of genetic mutations that transpired over billions of years. This meant there was no divine design or purpose for which we came about an no Creator who loved us enough to die for us. We are just the human race... all alone on this God-forsaken rock we call Earth, floating through the cosmos on a purposeless journey to nowhere.
Darwin's theory taught us that we are born to die with no eternity before us and no heaven after us." (40)
"The ramifications of having God as our Daddy (rather than some ape dragging is knuckles in the African jungle somewhere) is life changing. I hope you can see that which you believe about your origin makes a difference in the way you value yourself and humanity in general." (42)
"God took the woman out of the man so that they could experience yada with each other the way Adam did with God." (47) // "yada" translates as "relations" or "to know" and means "to be aware, to experience, to know very well, to understand, to learn and to regard" different from sexual relations
"The Bible says that Adam and the animals were both formed from dirt (which explains why our DNA is so closely linked). The Hebrew word formed is yatsar. But God fashioned (the Hebrew word hanah) the woman out of more sophisticated material. She is a second-generation creation." (47)
"'believing every word of the Bible' requires a relationship with the Spirit of God so that we can discern how to apply the Scriptures in a way that leads to the outcome the Author intended. Thousands of years ago, the wisest man in the world wrote, 'Knowledge is easy to one who has understanding' (Proverbs 14:6). It is only when we understand the heart of God that we can apply the knowledge of the Scriptures in a way that embraces His purposes." (83)
"...we often read the Bible to validate what we already believe is true, and we recount the stories in our minds to satisfy some need we have to be right instead of being transformed.
Second, the Bible commonly recounts stories in which God does not give us His perspective on the characters who lack integrity or whose worldview is flawed. [. . .] It simply highlights the fact that we need the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and that the Bible's silence on a matter does not mean that God condones a person's behavior." (85)
"The book of Proverbs was Solomon's greatest contribution to mankind. It was written to reveal to us the wisdom of a man in right relationship with God. But Ecclesiastes shows us the thoughts of the wisest man in the world after he has lost relationship with God." (86)
"...the Bible in the hands of the devil is not true. It takes the Word of God plus the Spirit of God to equal the Truth of God. The Word of God in the hands of anyone besides the Holy Spirit always leads to religion, bondage and death. 'For the letter kills,' as Paul said, 'but the Spirit gives life' (2 Corinthians 3:6)." (95) // emphasis added
"Jesus is perfect theology." (101) // Bill Johnson quotation
"Some may argue about whether or not a woman should carry the title of leader, elder, apostle, prophet or the like, but true leaders are acknowledged by titles, not created by them." (114)
"He wanted the woman to share her testimony. He wanted people to see that instead of Him becoming unclean when the woman on her cycle touched Him, she became clean." (123)
"...there is a huge difference between every man having authority over every woman, and a husband (who is being called to lay down his life for his wife) having the authority to lead his bride." (147) // 1 Cor. 11:3
"It is my conviction that God's divine truth overrides man's finite facts. I am convinced that God has an answer before we ever have a problem. After all, Jesus was crucified before the foundation of the world." (166)
"These verses (1 Tim. 2:11-15) stir up many difficult questions that we must honestly ponder as we navigate our way through this find, which can, if improperly excavated, be treacherously twisted to oppress women. Is Paul saying that a woman who has known the Lord for thirty years and has studied the Bible her entire life is not qualified to teach a brand-new male believer? Is Paul saying that there is no situation in which a woman should have authority over a man in a spiritual environment? Is Paul saying that because Eve was deceived, women should not be trusted with leadership ever again? What happened to the born-again experience that makes old things pass away and makes all things new? (See 2 Cor. 5:17)." (174)
"Let me make it clear that while gender distinctions should not determine where men and women lead, they should make a difference in how men and women lead." (191)
"God never gives a physical characteristic to one of His creations without it affecting the created one's divinely appointed role in life. As a matter of fact, I believe that God first determines a person's divine purpose, and then He designs the person with all of the characteristics needed to successfully apprehend his or her divine destiny." (192)
"The chamber God used to fabricate the woman was probably removed from the cavity that encompassed Adam's heart. This was a prophetic statement that Speaks to the fact that woman was made to stand alongside of man, for it was from the side chamber that she was fashioned. That woman was taken from a chamber close to man's heart is indicative of her intuitive nature - the way she processes from the heart to the head, as opposed to man, who processes from the head to the heart." (199)
"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." (208) / William Ross Wallace quotation
"I am reminded of Peter's exhortation to women: 'Let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God' (1 Peter 3:4). We need to value equally the full spectrum of honorable women and empower them to be all God has called them to be." (210)
"...some women are fighting a ghost from the past. For these women, any kind of conflict with a man is inflated, exaggerated and/or deemed discourteous. Whenever I have a disagreement with any woman who has the 'ghost syndrome,' I have learned to ask her to repeat back what she thinks I said. The difference between what I am trying to communicate and what she is hearing can be disheartening at times. Great communication requires both parties to take the time to listen to each other from the heart. [. . .] The 'ghost syndrome' can be triggered for various reasons in different women, and also in men." (211) // unreasonable or "hysterical" behavior is not gender specific
"It is not enough to be right; we must be redemptive if we are ever going to see a revolution that empowers both sexes equally and honorably." (212)
"I was created to help other people fulfill their destiny." (214) // Kathy Vallotton quotation regarding her greatest vision for her life
"...the refusal to acknowledge the difference between the sexes is costing us a generation." (215)
"After all, the apostle Paul said, 'Wives, be subject to your own husbands.' He did not say 'Women, be subject to every man.' As I have already stated, I do not think a theological case can be made that men as a sex have authority over women as a sex." (227)
Quotations from the poem "Motherhood" by Christianna Maas (216-217)
"...the pulse of life sends a constant reminder to both good and evil that I have yielded myself to Heaven and now carry its dream."
"Our footsteps marking land for conquest, we move undetected through the common places."
"Hope has feet, and it will run to the corners of earth, because I stood up against destruction."
November 8, 2018
Great book with lots of scriptural evidence backing the equality of women. It explains the context behind "those" scriptures that seemingly demean or lower the worth of women. It was wonderful to hear the opinion coming from a man, not a women that felt the need to justify herself as equal or worthy. But a man, stepping up to say that women are valuable, and have great destinies, and that things should no longer be a "boy's club" as the author put it.
The workbook that went along with this book was not that great. It had similar content, which is fine, but the questions basically just made you repeat what you read. No exploring, deep questions that made you soul search. So I would personally just suggest getting the book, not the workbook. But that's just my personal opinion.
I learned a lot about the cultures and to whom Paul and Peter were writing to in their letters that seemed "anti-women". Very informative and illuminating. Well done.
The workbook that went along with this book was not that great. It had similar content, which is fine, but the questions basically just made you repeat what you read. No exploring, deep questions that made you soul search. So I would personally just suggest getting the book, not the workbook. But that's just my personal opinion.
I learned a lot about the cultures and to whom Paul and Peter were writing to in their letters that seemed "anti-women". Very informative and illuminating. Well done.
September 21, 2017
I could have done without the first 2 chapters, but the rest of the book was incredible and is a must read for every Christian when it comes to the topic of how women fit into the Kingdom of God.
July 23, 2018
I've just begun reading this book, and am so far completely disappointed in the author's loose, inaccurate, and false Biblical references. He says, for example, that all of the men abandoned Christ at the crucifixion. The gospel of John tells us that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus went to lengths to take Jesus down from the cross, anoint and bury him in a nearby tomb. He also says that Mary Magdalene was the only person to have touched Christ before his ascension. What about "doubting Thomas", who touched the holes in his hands and the hole in his side? In the story of Mary, Jesus tells her not to hold on to him - which could even mean she didn't touch him at all!
These may seem to be small things, but I am confused and dismayed as to why a pastor would disregard the truth in making his arguments. To me it makes this a dangerous book - published as a Christian, Biblical book but written without careful attention to the truth. I also found his "imagining" of the Garden of Eden story unsettling - it left me uncomfortable and angry with God, although I couldn't say why. I recommend this book only to those would like to hone their skill at discernment.
These may seem to be small things, but I am confused and dismayed as to why a pastor would disregard the truth in making his arguments. To me it makes this a dangerous book - published as a Christian, Biblical book but written without careful attention to the truth. I also found his "imagining" of the Garden of Eden story unsettling - it left me uncomfortable and angry with God, although I couldn't say why. I recommend this book only to those would like to hone their skill at discernment.
June 2, 2022
Excellent resource, well studied out with historical context and scripture that lays bare the most restrictive verses that have been used to muzzle and oppress women in church. Tactfully and respectfully presented with grace and authority, this author addresses ALL of the verses that you will have questions about concerning women in the church and ministry. He builds a foundation starting with creation and moves through the Old Testament into the New to give the whole counsel of the Word and the heart of God before hammering home the scriptural breakdown in the later chapters. This is the holy chain breaking movement of empowering and freeing women that the Church so desperately needs, and that the world needs to see in place of toxic feminism.
I will say that I don't agree with all of his ideas concerning Adam and his design in the garden, but that part is not presented as fact or scriptural truth, but the author's personal conjectures. Give the beginning of the book some grace, stick with it, it really gets good about chapter 6!
I will say that I don't agree with all of his ideas concerning Adam and his design in the garden, but that part is not presented as fact or scriptural truth, but the author's personal conjectures. Give the beginning of the book some grace, stick with it, it really gets good about chapter 6!
September 30, 2017
This is the second time I've read it and I found it a very helpful book for helping to bring women into the fullness of who God has made them to be.
The author takes us from God's command to both Adam and Eve to rule the world and subdue it through other general principles of God's heart for women before dealing with the three nitty gritty verses much used to keep women in their place.
Sometime the explanations got a bit bogged down but overall they are very helpful for seeing what Paul actually meant rather than how the church and men in the church have interpreted it.
I enjoyed the final chapter on powerful women and what that means without losing their God given feminine attributes but I did find the five examples of powerful but very different women a little bit gushing.
For those who do want to know how God views women and their role in the church and world, this is a good book to read.
The author takes us from God's command to both Adam and Eve to rule the world and subdue it through other general principles of God's heart for women before dealing with the three nitty gritty verses much used to keep women in their place.
Sometime the explanations got a bit bogged down but overall they are very helpful for seeing what Paul actually meant rather than how the church and men in the church have interpreted it.
I enjoyed the final chapter on powerful women and what that means without losing their God given feminine attributes but I did find the five examples of powerful but very different women a little bit gushing.
For those who do want to know how God views women and their role in the church and world, this is a good book to read.
July 9, 2021
I've read this book once before but an enforced Covid isolation period gave me an opportunity to re-read it.
Both Kris Vallotton and Bill Johnson (who has contributed a couple of chapters) make some good Biblical points in a bid to empower women in both church contexts and in life. Though not as thorough as Lauren Cunningham & David Joel Hamilton's outstanding book 'Why Not Women?', this was the book I came across that first made the important observation that Paul's comments on women – which have so often been interpreted as negative – were made regarding a) specific situations and b) only in places where female deities were worshipped and which inevitably raised some unique challenges for a Jesus-worshipping community.
The first chapter raised quite a lot of questions for me since it proposes some possibilities that you may not find fully demonstrated in Scripture, but after that it does get better.
Both Kris Vallotton and Bill Johnson (who has contributed a couple of chapters) make some good Biblical points in a bid to empower women in both church contexts and in life. Though not as thorough as Lauren Cunningham & David Joel Hamilton's outstanding book 'Why Not Women?', this was the book I came across that first made the important observation that Paul's comments on women – which have so often been interpreted as negative – were made regarding a) specific situations and b) only in places where female deities were worshipped and which inevitably raised some unique challenges for a Jesus-worshipping community.
The first chapter raised quite a lot of questions for me since it proposes some possibilities that you may not find fully demonstrated in Scripture, but after that it does get better.
November 13, 2025
Although I ultimately agree with the author’s overall stance, much of the book relies heavily on assumptions and personal opinions. At times, I even came across arguments that felt irrelevant or failed to effectively support the intended point. That said, in some of the stronger chapters, the writer skillfully guides the reader through a thoughtful line of reasoning, uncovering unshakable biblical truths by delving deep into the original Greek text. I only wish the entire book had been built on that same solid biblical foundation. The core idea had the potential to become a powerful theological study, but due to the weaker, more “filler” chapters, I wouldn’t particularly recommend this book on the subject.
May 8, 2021
So much Kris wrote touched my heart... gave me courage to see myself in real time. To understand what marriage should really look like. Through his own struggles I am a little bit more clear of what went wrong in my own marriage. It helped me gain confidence back that was lost during the last 9 years of sticking it out... the difference between enduring a struggle for the right reasons and not for the voice of religion pushing a wife's obedience to submit even when a relationship is toxic. Thanks Kris for wring a book to heal and mend this heart back to the Father. To see marriage through the eyes of Jesus and we as his bride.
December 28, 2017
Such a powerful book! I would love for everyone I know to read this. Kris Valloton carefully outlines the theological perspective of egalitarianism alongside his own personal views and experiences. He also shares snippets from the lives of inspirational women leaders like Harriet Tubman and Mother Teresa. I like how he incorporated a lot of hefty theology with his own vision and beliefs. Really really good!
August 31, 2019
I don’t disagree with a single thing Vallotton says about women in leadership or about their roles in the home. He nails it.
That being said, there are some side stories here that really bugged me. Example: his story about being in a small town airport and not forgiving the workers after he was mistreated as a customer. There are others like this which neither help him prove his point or give him any points in terms of me engaging with him as an author.
That being said, there are some side stories here that really bugged me. Example: his story about being in a small town airport and not forgiving the workers after he was mistreated as a customer. There are others like this which neither help him prove his point or give him any points in terms of me engaging with him as an author.
May 3, 2022
Finally finishing this book, over four years after I originally purchased it… It’s very educational to the understanding of a woman’s role in the church and why for so long the spiritual leader ship of women has been subservient to the out of context view of a man’s leadership within the church.
Read by the author, there are some quirks that another narrator may not make, but the heart of the messages pass along more accurately and the biblical basis is thoroughly footed.
Read by the author, there are some quirks that another narrator may not make, but the heart of the messages pass along more accurately and the biblical basis is thoroughly footed.
March 10, 2025
Overall a good book with some fantastic insight and thoughts. The structure is a bit all over the place, I think if I wasn’t familiar with Kris before reading than I would have been quite confused. The last few chapters have some really profound statements in it. The second half was by far better than the first half in my opinion. Although it can see to be a bit all over the place, he is sure to talk about different roles of women and honor them each individually.
March 15, 2019
Wonderful and insightful
I would recommend this to everyone. It’s completely encouraging and insightful. Well worth reading and learning. Kris has a great way of bringing complex ideas and making it more tangible and applicable. For anyone who struggles with women being in leadership, this is an incredible read.
I would recommend this to everyone. It’s completely encouraging and insightful. Well worth reading and learning. Kris has a great way of bringing complex ideas and making it more tangible and applicable. For anyone who struggles with women being in leadership, this is an incredible read.
April 16, 2019
Worth the time
I took a journey with a group of women through this book. Multiple generations and diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. It changed the way we look at culture, society and churches, and helped us to appreciate our own backstories. It also empowered us to use our voices, alone and together to effect change where we live.
I took a journey with a group of women through this book. Multiple generations and diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. It changed the way we look at culture, society and churches, and helped us to appreciate our own backstories. It also empowered us to use our voices, alone and together to effect change where we live.
December 19, 2019
This book... Girls, get yourself one of these, it's a must. I'm not kidding. You need it. 🔥
And guys... If you ever intend to get married, you have to be aware of the incredible worth that daughters of God possess. This book is a good start. I highly recommend it to you as well!
#empoweringwomen #itstimeforarevolution #fashionedtoreign #krisvallotton
And guys... If you ever intend to get married, you have to be aware of the incredible worth that daughters of God possess. This book is a good start. I highly recommend it to you as well!
#empoweringwomen #itstimeforarevolution #fashionedtoreign #krisvallotton
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March 14, 2022Gave up at ~65%. I've never disagreed so much with someone on the same side of the issue, lol. Many good insights, but more bad theology, and also just not my writing style. (Also, as a former minimum wage employee with no control over what rules are enforced or not, he comes off as a HUGE DICK in one of his stories!)
July 11, 2017
One of the best books I've ever read about the woman's created purpose in leadership; and how we are faced to reign beside the men in our lives. Not beneath them, not above them, but equally with them.
November 7, 2019
A book of lots of learning! Not just about how God has a special heart for women but how important studying the Bible is, not just reading it. I was challenged & also empowered so I’d say that’s a great combo.
May 3, 2020
Great book looking into the intended construct and plan--Women of Destiny. Destiny awaits us all. And, as women, we have every right to rise up and answer to the call within us, as God has given us permission to do so.
May 29, 2023
Haven't yet read a book by this author I haven't greatly enjoyed.
Women have been and continue to be kept under the thumb of many. However, this is so not what our Abba God has planned for women!
Kris does a wonderful job explaining that concept and truth!!
Women have been and continue to be kept under the thumb of many. However, this is so not what our Abba God has planned for women!
Kris does a wonderful job explaining that concept and truth!!
May 13, 2017
Excellent and Needed
This is a great biblical perspective on woman's role. Read this if you're interested in learning about women in church / ministry leadership roles.
This is a great biblical perspective on woman's role. Read this if you're interested in learning about women in church / ministry leadership roles.
August 18, 2017
Chapter 1 was the only part of the book I liked.
October 4, 2017
Really great arguments and cultural and historical interpretation of the Biblical texts supporting women in places of leadership and ministry.
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