Ruby Slippers: How the Soul of a Woman Brings Her Home

by Jonalyn Fincher

Jonalyn Fincher wants to show that women can be both fully human and fully feminine. Traditionally, femininity has been a role women play, a role defined by culture and simplistic sermons. The author encourages women to look at the feminine roles or boxes that pinch their souls: mother, fashion devotee, working wife, intellectual. Does God treat femininity as a role, a curse, or a gift? And when Jesus redeemed women, what was it exactly that he redeemed?

Even after Eden, Fincher points out, God planned to redeem both men and women. But for centuries, women have been taught to devalue the very aspects of their souls that are unique and irreplaceable. Femininity itself runs deeper than aprons, frills, or romance. It begins with feminine souls who are living cameos of the triune God.

In Ruby Slippers, Fincher takes a fresh, direct look at the challenges she faced on her search for the feminine soul. She goes step by step through what it means to be a woman and how to cultivate her soul, choosing not to shy away from psychology, theology or personal transparency. In her journey she discovers an understanding of femininity that is timeless and groundbreaking. The roles melt away into something like Dorothy’s ruby slippers, something women have always had—the souls to walk today with freedom and femininity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Feminism, Religion, Relationships, Philosophy, Theology

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still haven't figured out what I believe about gender roles, but this book on Christian womanhood comes closer to the target than anything I've read yet. Jonalyn Fincher makes a case that femininity is embedded in women's very souls. Through scientific, philosophical, and theological research, she identifies traits that are common to women, while warning against using those traits as scorecards. She unpacks Eve, how the Fall affected woman's nature, and how Jesus wants to heal and redeem our womanhood. She boldly calls out our secret shames (some of which I've never heard addressed in a book or sermon), while affirming that they don't define us. And throughout, she emphasizes that women are independently made in God's image - not God's afterthought, with her worth tied to man, but His whole and separate creation to reflect His image in a distinct way. I'm still taking it all in. If I ever lead a seminar/discussion group for Christian women, as I increasingly want to, this will be one of the main texts.

[Lexie Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best book I've read so far on femininity from a Christian perspective-- and I've read a lot of books on gender!! I don't agree with everything she says, but it sparked some great conversations/questions/thought/further research. She's tackling an emotionally charged question-- what does it really MEAN that God created women to uniquely reflect God? and she does it with integrity, humility, and warmth. I recommend this book!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

so far so good. I love her take on feminine qualities... although I might be a bit too liberal to buy into all her stuff. My women's study is reading it.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a healing book. It doesn't illuminate the differences of men and women like Mars & Venus; it doesn't bash men or women, but redefines how women are created in the image of God.


One of my favorite points:

"I often thought of Woman's beginnings as more evidence that Woman wasn't important enough for God to make first. Now I think God made Woman second because he needed the appropriate human, living material, to form her. Woman is the only creature who was created from a piece of living flesh. Perhaps this indicates something different about our souls." (p. 112)

An excellent book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonalyn explores how society and the church have shaped our understanding of femininity, and what we can do to combat misguided expectations. It was comforting in a lot of ways, to hear her question things that I've questioned...why IS it that people break down gender roles to such specifics without taking into consideration individual personality and gifts? Fascinating thoughts of being submissive to Christ and letting HIM define our feminine souls rather than the culture, who may or may not respect what God has called us to do.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes a woman a woman? The topic of womanhood and the place of women in creation and society is stretched out as far back as Genesis, but what is the right answer? Is it a to-do list? A mold that half of the human race has to force themselves into? Or is it something else? In this book, author Jonalyn Fincher looks intensely at these questions.

Instead of writing another list of things to check off to be a woman, Fincher explores family resemblances, traits that are usually found more often in women than men. With only one trait being needed to be a woman (that of being born with a female body) the rest are negotiable. In these pages, she also explores how a woman’s soul is also essentially female, and this grants her a unique role in creation, one that God specifically made her for.

The great sacrifice of Jesus is enough to redeem women from their curse, though it seems that many don’t believe this. Jesus’s treatment of women as unique and just as valid as men is sadly lacking in the church today, but there is hope because of His redeeming work on the cross. This book is great for women seeking to understand their place in creation and the church as a whole as well as those who want answers to what it means to be a woman.

[Kristi-Lynn Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book as a personal or small group Bible Study. Jonalyn comes to the table with an invitation to consider who we are as woman in the context of who Jesus is. She creates the space, through her stories and personal anecdotes, to engage with Jesus, with scripture, and with the ways that culture and religion have historically viewed women.

[Heather Yockey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was discussing "modesty & female objectification" with a new friend recently. She indicated that it's a topic church women don't seem enthralled to engage. I can recall thinking I was free from discussing implications of it because I mistakenly thought it didn't affect me - after all I wore jeans to church. (Lol) My plan was to stay away from crazy shaming blogs & "to each their own" was my non-confrontational "stance". However, reading Ruby Slippers has called me to the carpet & inspired me to dig deeper. I am convinced we have to go down to our core beliefs regarding women if we want to experience true inner freedom as women. Thanks Jonalyn, for all the research & wading through this somewhat unchartered (at least for me) territory!

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review of this book does not necessarily reflect the book's actual quality or the skill of the author--as suggested by the "pop-up hints" under the stars, I rated this book as, "It was ok," simply because I could not make myself keep reading it. I am sure that many women enjoyed this book, but with a reading list a mile long, anything that does not hold my attention eventually must be moved out of the reading pile.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read this book but I really appreciate the way that it took a fresh look at femininity. Often these studies rely on either following a conventional view of womanhood or completely rejecting it. Jonalyn's book strikes a good middle ground, allowing women to want the conventional roles but also validating those who don't.

[Gwen Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I've had many of the same thoughts over the years. I appreciate her desire to bring in both a biblical and experiential perspective. Worth reading. it is neither angry feminism or mind numbing docility.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for a women's book club in my church and absolutely loved it. The author dug in deep and forced you to face attitudes and misconceptions that society has caused women to believe without question for too long. A great read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am currently reading, recieved as a birthday gift from the editor.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

rereading this book and searching for a great quote she wrote in the back chapters

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by far the most encouraging and challenging books I have ever read on what it means to be feminine and free.

[SarahEmily]

Really thorough and beautiful. Incredibly uplifting, and affirming of women as images of God, without devolving into new-agey wishy-washiness.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, thought-provoking book. Needs to be read and digested, not just finished.

[Rubi Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. It taught me more about being a woman than any other book I've read. It was refreshing to read.