Warrior of Eden: How Curiosity and Questions Lead to Understanding God's Call for Women

by Beth Guckenberger

There’s a reason you’ve always known God has big plans for you—He’s created you with great purpose.
 
In this transformative, biblically based book, Beth Guckenberger draws on God’s original intention for women to embolden us to use our gifts as full participants at church, at work, and at home. Warrior of Eden explores twenty-seven thought-provoking questions such
  What does “suitable helper” in Genesis 2 really mean? Are we made in the image of a male God? How did the early church treat women? When have I joined men in battle, and when have I picked one instead? Why is the church lagging in this conversation instead of leading?  
With reflection questions and journal prompts, Warrior of Eden reminds us that God directly empowers women to do His work—not because one gender is superior, but because we’re each worthy of His calling.
 

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2024

Reviews

[Megan Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly a book I’ve been waiting a long time for. So encouraging and convicting. All God’s kids should read it because we all have women in our lives that we need to champion better.

[Lauren M Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brought up many questions and conversations for me and the people who listened to me talk about it…I’m so glad this book was written! Thankful for the strength God calls all women to lean into…and am trusting that this divine truth overcomes gender-based oppression in all spaces, most of all the church.

[Monika Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard the author speak several times and she is so inspiring and very knowledgeable about the Bible so I had high hopes about this book. The book is more of a journey of her thoughts around women and their role. It is still good and brings up some good questions but I expected more.

[Kelli Emge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liberal, egalitarian, so I’m not impressed. It isn’t that I disagree with everything in this; in fact, I found myself agreeing with much of what she said. The insight into the hebrew meaning of helper in Genesis (warrior-helper) was nice, but…. This wanes a bit gnostic when we have an entire volume dedicated to super extra special personal insight into all the special aspects of this one key word. Any student of the bible familiarizes themself with key greek and hebrew words, in order to better understand; this is normal. As a memoir, this book is fine if you read it that way (the author has lots of great ministry experience that is heart-warming and encouraging to read!) The problem is, if you read this as some kind of instruction on how to order the church or the household, it is NOT reflective of biblical complementarianism (=male headship in marriage and church eldership) which is problematic.
Here is where I agree with the author: There is indeed a “patriarchy” trend circulating that does not reflect traditional biblical gender roles. Patriarchy promotes male dominance and female subordinance in all aspects of society; patriarchy ideology is wrong because it is adding to scripture! Patriarchy ideology artifically limits female roles in ministry, and in all of society. The author says this is wrong, and anyone who is biblically literate can read that God has ordered the household and the church eldership for male leaders, but that limits women very little in daily functions. Patriarchy ideology seeks to extend this male headship into everything, everywhere, and neglects Galatians 3:28 particularly because it treats women as inferior in all aspects, and effectively ignores the existence of unmarried or childless women (because a true woman is a helper to her husband and homemaker.) Patriarchy ideology also diminishes the priesthood of all believers (PI calls the man the priest of his home, which effectively messages women that her access to God is mostly through her husband. Cringey.) So there is where the author and I agree. The pro-patriarchy response to 3rd wave feminism is just that: a reaction to secular culture. It is NOT a true reflection of what God has commanded in scripture. When PI adds to scripture to make extra rules and holiness codes in order to protect gender roles, they are just being unhinged legalists and putting a yoke of slavery on other believers where God has left them free! So good for her pushing back against that!

[Sarah Schurman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really enjoy much of this book. The author seemed to lean in the direction of women can do as much as anyone and the church is holding them back from reaching their full potential. I also believe some scripture was taken out of context as well.

[Kelley McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent of 3 daughters, we begin asking questions about how the Bible views and directs women ministry when they were young. We were trying to learn how we can best equip them for the future God has for them while they were in our home. One daughter understood the Bible in deep ways for her young age and started considering ministry as her future. I started looking into women Bible study teachers and my husband and I started wrestling with all kinds of questions on how women fit into Gods Kingdom ministry and how the woman/man co-labor should happen. In my research, I found an ugly side of christianity where believers (male and female) belittled and cut down their fellow sisters who were teaching the word of God. I knew that was not showing the world the glory of God through the church, but I didn’t feel very equipped to chat with others about the role of women or the meaning of ezer in the Bible. If someone believed differently than how I viewed the scriptures, I didn’t really have a good resource to help open up the conversation. After reading Beth’s new book, I feel this is a great book to help spark conversations with people who may come from different viewpoint on what women should be allowed to do or not do in the church. The book doesn’t just wrestle with the question on a woman’s role as an ezer around men, but what does it look to be an ezer to other women and those God places before us. Each chapter is based on a question Beth wrestled with and at the end of the chapter it has some probing/thinking questions. Yet even in writing about her thoughts on these questions - she does not attack anyone who may have a different view than her. She also doesn’t boldly come out and say this is the only correct way to view this question. That is refreshing to read. She is not trying to elevate woman above men. I encourage you to read this book and have a dialogue with others who believe the same as you and differently than you. Search the scriptures and spend time asking our Father to help you find the answers to questions you may have during and after reading this book.

[Layn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “Warrior of Eden”, Beth Guckenberger dives into God’s true calling for women, and how we can take on that call in our ever changing culture. Using insight from God’s word, stories from her own walk, and thought provoking reflection questions, Beth has created a powerful and convicting message within the pages of this book.

This book offers such a refreshing take on God’s heart for women. I frequently found myself pondering the questions in the heading of each chapter, some being questions I’ve never thought to ask and some being questions I think to myself almost daily. Beth has started a conversation that the church desperately needs to have. This book left me inspired in a new way and I think it will do the same for any of God’s daughters who decide to pick it up!

*Thank you to David C. Cook for sending me an e-arc in exchange for my honest review!*

[Kim Botto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing a book about "Gods call for women" could be viewed as so controversial. Beth took on this tough topic in a very kind and pastoral way. As I read through the pages it feels as though we're journeying together to discover what God says about women and how we (men and women) might respond.

This is a book for women AND just as much a book for people who lead women, love women or are parenting women/girls. So it's for everyone seeking to better understand Gods unique creation called woman. Beth gives us context, research and lots of scripture for verses that are often pulled out as stand alone views on women. She also very vulnerably shares stories from her own life, illustrating how these Biblical truths play out in her own life.

Highly recommend this book to better understand our role as women and children of God in today's world.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still waiting to find the book that does a deep dive into Old Testament (particularly Genesis and Creation) theology regarding women and being made female. This is not that book, but it is nonetheless one I highly recommend for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of Christian feminism (and practical theology in general!)

Guckenberger keeps the discussion well balanced between scholarly insight and personal experience, while being deeply grounded in orthodoxy in a way that all believers can access. My favorite part might be that this is not a book FOR women. She continually upholds how Christian feminism enhances the gospel for both genders, and how much men benefit from lifting up their sisters in Christ.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth tackles the controversial topic of the role of women in the church/ministry/the world in a way that is a curious, wondering sort of way…not telling us how to think, but walking alongside the reader in what the Bible says and how we might interpret it. She then moves past the “should women pastor/preach/etc” discussion and into what it could like in each individual woman’s life—how we might follow God and use the gifts he’s given us in the church and in our homes/neighborhoods/work places. The questions at the end of each chapter helped me pause and dig deeper into what I had just read and process through my thoughts on it.

[Serena Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. The author does a wonderful job of helping to clarify what the term “ezer kinegdo” means and encourages women to fill the spaces and intentions gifted to us by God, from Eden to present. It’s not about balking at the traditional roles of women, which are upheld with honor, but it’s about seeing them through a different lens. Highly recommend!

[Sami Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve heard Beth teach portions of this book live over the last several years and those words continually stick with me. As always, she’s the master of teaching Hebrew words in a practical and applicable way (I’ll be thinking about the words for “distress” and “relief” for a long time). And her writing is humble and thought provoking. I especially loved the chapters on hope and vulnerability.

[Shannon Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book alongside other warrior women which was encouraging and helpful in making this book more meaningful. I definitely think this is a great book for a small group over a few months rather than reading on your own. It was pretty repetitive and a bit all over the place, but I definitely learned a lot and challenged/grew my faith.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for sharing your stories! You are a gifted writer, and your book challenged me to think. While I am still not sure where I land on a few of the points you made, I love being challenged to dig into God’s word and to ask questions.

[Daniela Torrentera · Rating 5 out of 5]

practical and profound

Loved how she guides us to question in curiosity and not controversy. Super useful as in every answer leads us to practice.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women are meant to be warriors. I enjoyed this book and the prospective it offered.

[V. Coupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I enjoyed the idea of being a warrior helper and all that means. I would recommend this book to other women.

[Barb B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a topic I've thought about a lot and Beth gives some thoughtful answers to questions I've had. Knowing and watching Beth and Todd since early in their marriage I can see how the ideas she talks about works in their marriage. The gifts and talents each has are appreciated and enhanced by the other. Men and women in the church need to read this as well so they can encourage and support each other as they utilize their kingdom gifts.