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Women in a Patriarchal World: Twenty-five Empowering Stories from the Bible
‘This immersive, persuasive and triumphant celebration of women is smart, bold and brave, cheering us on and challenging us to live lives of liberation. Faith and ethics dance effortlessly together, as biblical women look us firmly in the eye.’ Rachie Ross, eco-theologian
The Bible includes many stories about women: some well-known, others lesser known; some named, others whose names are not given. In some of these stories, men are depicted negatively by the storyteller; in others men barely feature at all, except in the background or as powerful outsiders. All the compilers of these narratives were probably men, and all of them are set within an ancient world of patriarchal norms and conditions. And yet many of these narratives express the authentic voices of women, and in some cases the original sources will have been the women themselves.
In Women in a Patriarchal World Elaine Storkey focuses on the stories of women who faced a range of challenges and life-changing decisions. Her investigations will lead you to fully appreciate the authenticity of these accounts. They will prompt you to see the connections with our own lives and times. And above all they will empower you to respond more faithfully and intelligently to the many challenges that women are still confronted with today.
‘This book combines rigour with deep humanity and faith.’
Christina Rees CBE, writer, broadcaster and preacher
‘Each page left me feeling more empowered than the last.’
Ruth Akinradewo, Press Red Ambassador
The Bible includes many stories about women: some well-known, others lesser known; some named, others whose names are not given. In some of these stories, men are depicted negatively by the storyteller; in others men barely feature at all, except in the background or as powerful outsiders. All the compilers of these narratives were probably men, and all of them are set within an ancient world of patriarchal norms and conditions. And yet many of these narratives express the authentic voices of women, and in some cases the original sources will have been the women themselves.
In Women in a Patriarchal World Elaine Storkey focuses on the stories of women who faced a range of challenges and life-changing decisions. Her investigations will lead you to fully appreciate the authenticity of these accounts. They will prompt you to see the connections with our own lives and times. And above all they will empower you to respond more faithfully and intelligently to the many challenges that women are still confronted with today.
‘This book combines rigour with deep humanity and faith.’
Christina Rees CBE, writer, broadcaster and preacher
‘Each page left me feeling more empowered than the last.’
Ruth Akinradewo, Press Red Ambassador
144 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 11, 2024
One of my favourite Christian books and probably one I’ll revisit a few times in my life; lifts up the unassuming and the overtly bold women in scripture. Provided such powerful examples of a range of women who shape their lives around faithful service to God and equally highlights how God has dignified and upheld women since the beginning of humanity.
May 16, 2020
This is the sort of book that I will always champion. It’s one of those books that helps to remove our cultural lens’ and preformed ideas, enabling us to see the revolutionary with the sacred text; especially with regards to the cast of extraordinary women involved, who are, sadly, too often demeaned or overlooked as subservient.
When we pick up scripture, we have to remember the oral tradition it came from. Doing so reminds us that these women were not mere footnotes in a world history dominated by men. Communities for centuries have gathered around fires and meals telling the numerous stories of these extraordinary figures. These women were remembered, they’re stories generated a buzz of exiting conversation, and they’re legacy was preserved and passed from generation to generation. These women were revolutionary examples of what it looked liked to participate with God’s movements within history; examples told to inspire faith and courage within both women and men.
Unfortunately, when we pick scripture up in the 21st century, we often fail to rightly appreciate these dazzling bright stars against the ancient patriarchal culture’s night sky; especially when the patriarchal patterns of our own day radiates its version of light pollution, cloaking the reality before us. But like a good astronomer, Dr Elaine Storkey helps us to switch off our cultural pollutants and takes us on a grand tour of these shining lights, revealing how these revolutionary female luminaries lit up their worlds and, furthermore, how their examples can still light up ours.
*Women in a Patriarchal World* is well written and accessible. Each chapter is bite-sized and yet packed full of wisdom and relevance. When you read this, you’ll walk away inspired.
Overall, you should buy yourself a copy. And while you’re at it, by a copy for a friend.
—Tristan Sherwin, author of Living the Dream?: The Problem with Escapist, Exhibitionist, Empire-Building Christianity
When we pick up scripture, we have to remember the oral tradition it came from. Doing so reminds us that these women were not mere footnotes in a world history dominated by men. Communities for centuries have gathered around fires and meals telling the numerous stories of these extraordinary figures. These women were remembered, they’re stories generated a buzz of exiting conversation, and they’re legacy was preserved and passed from generation to generation. These women were revolutionary examples of what it looked liked to participate with God’s movements within history; examples told to inspire faith and courage within both women and men.
Unfortunately, when we pick scripture up in the 21st century, we often fail to rightly appreciate these dazzling bright stars against the ancient patriarchal culture’s night sky; especially when the patriarchal patterns of our own day radiates its version of light pollution, cloaking the reality before us. But like a good astronomer, Dr Elaine Storkey helps us to switch off our cultural pollutants and takes us on a grand tour of these shining lights, revealing how these revolutionary female luminaries lit up their worlds and, furthermore, how their examples can still light up ours.
*Women in a Patriarchal World* is well written and accessible. Each chapter is bite-sized and yet packed full of wisdom and relevance. When you read this, you’ll walk away inspired.
Overall, you should buy yourself a copy. And while you’re at it, by a copy for a friend.
—Tristan Sherwin, author of Living the Dream?: The Problem with Escapist, Exhibitionist, Empire-Building Christianity
September 2, 2023
A collection of short retellings and reflections on 25 women in the Bible, looking at their patriarchal contexts, and the applications that has for women around the world today.
Some interesting insights, and a number of strong challenges.
Some interesting insights, and a number of strong challenges.
August 29, 2022
A really good book with a number of short chapters exploring how women in the bible were counter-cultural in a male dominated society. It is a very practical book, offering present day lessons to be learned from these biblical characters.
September 25, 2020
This book is a series of devotional readings. Focusing on women in the Bible, It is centred on a bible reading and includes; an inspirational summary and questions. It would be a great devotional aid, either for; personal daily worship or for group study.
April 11, 2020
“The stories of people in Scripture are case histories of God’s relationship with human-kind”
Throughout this book, we are introduced to 25 case histories of women in the Bible. Some well known like Mary Magdalene, others lesser known like the five daughters of Zelophehad, but all notable for being included in the history of what is undoubtedly a patriarchal society – and clearly showing what value God places on women in his world.
Some of the women are not even named, but Storkey brings them to life and puts their story into context of the times they lived in. I found it so enlightening to read these stories and pay more attention to women who I may otherwise have skipped over.
What I also loved was that after the first half of each chapter where we learned more about these women, the second half of each chapter was about how we can apply their lessons into our lives today. It’s very easy to read the Bible without stopping to think about what it’s teaching us now, and this really unpacked it.
In fact, when I think about negatives for this book, my only criticism was that the passages from the Bible that were being discussed were not included in the actual book, which meant I kept having to switch out of the book and look up the passages, which was just a little annoying.
But apart from that, I read through this book in two sittings, highlighting passage after passage that I wanted to remember and come back to – at one point I started to think that the highlights were becoming ineffective as there were so many – I definitely want to just read this again.
The author had a very easy writing style, which made the book feel almost conversational rather than text-book-like, but that’s not to diminish the content, which was clearly well researched and insightful.
One example is the chapter about Moses – we’ve all read this story many many times, it’s one we were taught in sunday school. Yet I’ve never thought past the basket in the reeds to the women involved in the story – the mother who calmly hid her son in the river at a time when it was probably filled with other dead babies. The sister who watched the baby from the banks, and the princess who found him. They all play such a big part in the history, as Storkey writes:
Through this story, we learn that:
I’ll finish with one more quote from the book, about the 23rd woman, Lydia.
I’d recommend this book to anyone with an interesting in uncovering a new layer to the stories we’ve all read many times before, but specifically to women who may be experiencing challenges in their own faith journeys – this book was such an encouragement.
Posted on: https://emmaloui.se/2020/04/11/elaine...
Throughout this book, we are introduced to 25 case histories of women in the Bible. Some well known like Mary Magdalene, others lesser known like the five daughters of Zelophehad, but all notable for being included in the history of what is undoubtedly a patriarchal society – and clearly showing what value God places on women in his world.
Some of the women are not even named, but Storkey brings them to life and puts their story into context of the times they lived in. I found it so enlightening to read these stories and pay more attention to women who I may otherwise have skipped over.
What I also loved was that after the first half of each chapter where we learned more about these women, the second half of each chapter was about how we can apply their lessons into our lives today. It’s very easy to read the Bible without stopping to think about what it’s teaching us now, and this really unpacked it.
In fact, when I think about negatives for this book, my only criticism was that the passages from the Bible that were being discussed were not included in the actual book, which meant I kept having to switch out of the book and look up the passages, which was just a little annoying.
But apart from that, I read through this book in two sittings, highlighting passage after passage that I wanted to remember and come back to – at one point I started to think that the highlights were becoming ineffective as there were so many – I definitely want to just read this again.
The author had a very easy writing style, which made the book feel almost conversational rather than text-book-like, but that’s not to diminish the content, which was clearly well researched and insightful.
One example is the chapter about Moses – we’ve all read this story many many times, it’s one we were taught in sunday school. Yet I’ve never thought past the basket in the reeds to the women involved in the story – the mother who calmly hid her son in the river at a time when it was probably filled with other dead babies. The sister who watched the baby from the banks, and the princess who found him. They all play such a big part in the history, as Storkey writes:
None of them had the power to change a barbaric, unjust law. Yet the joint weight of the power they did have meant that one baby escaped the consequences of that injustice to become a future leader anointed by God.
Through this story, we learn that:
When we are led by love rather than fear, we gain more courage, and God often empowers us to be stronger and to see things more clearly.
I’ll finish with one more quote from the book, about the 23rd woman, Lydia.
Finally, Lydia challenges us to face our own significance in the spread of the gospel. Women were not at the margins in the early Christian Church; neither silent in churches nor absent in evangelism. They were effective communicators and vital in the expansion of mission.
I’d recommend this book to anyone with an interesting in uncovering a new layer to the stories we’ve all read many times before, but specifically to women who may be experiencing challenges in their own faith journeys – this book was such an encouragement.
Posted on: https://emmaloui.se/2020/04/11/elaine...
June 15, 2021
Excellent encouragement - a must read!
I have slowly read my way through this book, really savouring what I have learned. Even in characters I thought I knew very well, Elaine Storkey has provided me with fresh insight and encouragement.
All of the work in this book challenges the toxic patriarchal systems and views that still persist in parts of the church today and limit women’s ministry. But encouragement to us all, the women in these pages lived in a much more limited world than we do, but still had a huge influence and impact for the Kingdom of God - so how much more can we?!
I have slowly read my way through this book, really savouring what I have learned. Even in characters I thought I knew very well, Elaine Storkey has provided me with fresh insight and encouragement.
All of the work in this book challenges the toxic patriarchal systems and views that still persist in parts of the church today and limit women’s ministry. But encouragement to us all, the women in these pages lived in a much more limited world than we do, but still had a huge influence and impact for the Kingdom of God - so how much more can we?!
October 15, 2020
A very readable, engaging book looking at the stories and roles of some of the women in the Old and New Testaments. Some were very familiar to me, some I had hardly thought about before. Each chapter has a section on contemporary application, unpacking the challenges and relevance for us today, which was very helpful. This book could be used as a devotional, as the 25 chapters are each not very long.
April 3, 2020
A very interesting read! I knew about a few of these women, but I enjoyed seeing them from another angle and I very much enjoyed reading about the women who were new to me. The writing style was clear and conversational, easy to follow and understand. I enjoyed the historical information as well.
A very interesting read.
A very interesting read.
May 6, 2021
I used this as a devotional book. It is grounded in scriptural retelling the stories of 25 women featured throughout its pages. I appreciated the clear outline of each woman and the principles and practices that can speak across the centuries to inspire, challenge and equip today's followers of Jesus.
October 25, 2020
A readable and accessible book shining a light on the stories of some familiar and some less familiar women in the Bible, their impact on the story of redemption and what they might have to teach us today.
June 5, 2021
Snippets of women of the Bible
I found it very readable and found out things in more detail about the women in the Bible. I particularly liked how Lydia was explained with her dealing in fine purple cloth that was only sold by someone with business ability.
I found it very readable and found out things in more detail about the women in the Bible. I particularly liked how Lydia was explained with her dealing in fine purple cloth that was only sold by someone with business ability.
August 15, 2024
This was an excellent book looking in detail at several stories of women in the Bible, including some I had never heard of! Very well written and will some great applications to modern life. Would highly recommend.
August 27, 2020
Reclaiming some biblical stories involving women. Particularly enjoyed the section at end of each chapter on "Facing Our Challenges Today" with contemporary application.
November 15, 2020
An amazing book! It the best book I've read on women in the Bible! It would make an incredible book to study in a book club or Bible Study.
November 18, 2021
A delightfully accessible book by an eminent scholar. Chapters are short, well written and draw lessons and challenges from each woman's story for us today.
May 28, 2020
A fascinating look at some of the female characters in the Bible, some which are often overlooked. It was refreshing to re-read the accounts and encouraged by the author's reflections and challenges.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews