Book Review: Practical Theology for Women
Posted by TulipGirl | Under On the Bookshelf, Theology for Girls Saturday Apr 4, 2009Those who have been visiting me here at TulipGirl for any length of time have probably noticed we have a whole category with miscellaneous writings on Theology for Girls. We are great fans of Louis Berkhof, John Calvin, St. Augustine, J. Gresham Machen, and others who have gone before, upon whose shoulders we stand.
Sometimes theology isn’t perceived to be a proper girlie pursuit. And yet, we as Believers are called to study, think, discuss, writing, meditate — all with the purpose of knowing our God and walking with Him intimately.
A couple of weeks ago a friend mentioned the book Practical Theology for Women
So when my birthday came around and I splurged (imagine, a pocketful of Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders gift cards!), I impulsively bought this book. I probably wouldn’t have bought it just based on the title and summary, but the pretty cover didn’t gave me a happy feeling and Rebecca gave it a five star review.
Wow. . . that’s a lot of background for why I bought a book. . . *L* And to think, I meant this to be a short book review!
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When I first opened the Amazon box and saw Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives
Wendy Alsup has written a brief, accessible, but meaty introduction to theology for girls. She begins by giving a sketch of why she studies and teaches theology to women, along with a glimpse of the struggles in her life and how the Lord has carried her. She gives both a definition of theology and brief apologetic for why women should study theology. In a nutshell, she writes what my heart knows — the study of God and His attributes compels my heart to worship. Theological pursuits enable me to rest in the Lord.
The chapters are short, perfect in length for daily devotionals. Alsup is free with referencing Scripture, not just giving chapter and verse, but also quoting at length the relevant passages. Several things spoke to my soul within the first few chapters. (Oh, how I need to remember, refocus, and abide in the Lord!) But it also brought to mind some things Hubby’s mom is walking through right now, and I wanted to share this book with her before she leaves town tomorrow. I decided to read the book quickly, in order to give it to her for her trip.
Truthfully, though, this book is better read in bite-sized bits. As a devotional, as a prompt for meditation — each chapter addresses an attribute of God or the reality of His presence in our lives. The ideas are simple — but not simplistic. For those who are newly walking with the Lord or scared by the term “theology,” Practical Theology for Women
One of the things I liked best about this book is that it would be easy to use in a one-on-one discipleship context, a small group Bible study, or just to pass along to a friend. Already there are several women in my life I know would find it encouraging to their faith and I’ve given my copy of Practical Theology for Women
That said, had I been Alsup’s editor, I would have suggested two small changes. First, I would have edited the chapter that focused on “being ruled by emotions” to communicate the value of the emotions God has given us. Secondly, I would have provided a short “For more study” bibliography in the back for those who would like to take the next step in theological study.
Speaking of. . . which Theology for Girls resources would you recommend?
A bibliography would be a wonderful addition to this book.
I don’t know of any other theology books specifically for women, but off the top of my head I can think of a few more for a beginner in the study of theology: J. I. Packer’s Knowing God and maybe his Concise Theology, too. One that I love and recommend whenever I can is The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance by Leon Morris. It’s intended for the average lay person in the church and is easy to understand and read, but deep.
I will be adding this to my wishlist, and the timing is great because my birthday is coming up soon. :smile:
Re: Rebecca’s comment above and Packer’s Knowing God — I’m reading this now for the first time, and I would definitely recommend it. Sinclair Ferguson’s The Christian Life is a good one, too.
Have you read Carolyn Custis James’ When Life & Beliefs Collide?
I liked Piper’s _The Pleasures of God_. It displaced Packer’s KG, which had been my favorite since high school (though I think the moral evaluation of the patriarchs and the anti-images section are both pretty erroneous now…).
But, bot be honest, I’m of a divided mind about “Theology” at all. Much of it seems too much like geometry but with even less application. Makes me think of Esperanto. William Ames’ Marrow helps by defining theology as the art of living to God, but Bavinck (who I think was a great theologian in many ways) draws a straight line from Ames to Kant and sees it as all wrong.
Women are just as capable as men at playing Chess. But if men seemed obsessed with arguing over the rulebook, I’m not sure women need to try to join them in that area. Maybe the men are actually prone to folly in that way.
I keep returning to this book…like the Tardis (semi-obscure sci-fi reference), it’s bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside. :-)
Mark,
Piper’s The Pleasures of God rocked my world! It’s one of my most favorite books.
Wow. Thanks for the review. That really encouraged my heart this morning.
What makes theology for women different from theology in general? I don’t understand the need to make a distinction, unless it is to study women’s callings in the home and church in depth.
If one wants a classic book on the millennium, I recommend The Meaning of the Millennium – Four Views, edited by Clouse.
A basic textbook on theology – the doctrines of God, of Christ, of man, of sin, of angels, of salvation, of the last things, etc., with each view fairly represented and explained no matter what the author’s final view would be – is essential if one is to study theology. We have a couple general theology textbooks at our house.
In order to get a framework for theology, and to understand how the Great Commission has been worked out over the centuries, I highly recommend Church History In Plain Language, by Shelley. Along the same lines, and written by a woman, is From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, but I’ve not read that one. I heard it’s good, though.
On apologetics – History and Christianity, by John Warwick Montgomery, and of course Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, and most of what Francis Schaeffer wrote.
Women or women’s groups I admire for their ability to preach/and/or teach Bible – Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, Anne Graham Lotz, Bible Study Fellowship, and some of what Carolyn Custis James has written.
For practical theology, I know of no better work than Garry Friesen’s first edition of Decision Making and the Will of God.
One practical book I’ve not read, but which has me curious is a book on Divorce – Four Views.
Probably other practical theology for women would include various views on the complementarian/egalitarian debate.
Other resources for practical theology would include good books about spiritual abuse, and cults and aberrant Christian groups.
The foundation for all the above – regular Bible reading, a good works on hermenutics, Scripture Twisting, by Sire, Exegetical Fallacies, by Carson, and some work of your choosing on critical thinking and logical fallacies.
I’m sitting here writing this, realizing just how much I used to read, and how much I have not been reading lately. Maybe this post is a wake up call to me.
“What makes theology for women different from theology in general? I don’t understand the need to make a distinction. . .”
You’re right. . . there isn’t “women’s theology” different from theology in general. . .
And while it is likely not true for you or Rebecca or Anne or a good number of the women in my immediate circle, but for a LOT of Christian women, “theology” is something that is held at arms length. “Theology” is of questionable value, full of uncommonly used words, primarily for seminary and seminarians and not. . . practical. . . or at least, not directly related to their own faith. Perhaps that is the way it is for many men, as well, but since my faith-related conversations are more with women I don’t want to speak for men.
“unless it is to study women’s callings in the home and church in depth.”
While I believe this can be beneficial, I think it can also be. . . limiting. . . when the bulk of the encouragement women get in studying the Word is with the focus on being wives / mothers / women. Honestly, most of the studying I do ends up being put through a “mommy filter” because that is the season of life I am in. Like when I read Hodge on Romans, the impact of it was on how I viewed my children. I think that is pretty normal. But at the same time, when the focus tends to be “women’s issues,” I think women miss out on the blessings of being washed by the Word daily, miss out on the study of the attributes of God, miss out on meditating upon the Gospel and what it means to us each day.
Not that it happens in all Christian circles, but it does often enough that I think it is good to encourage one another to return to the Word and delve into study. Like one of my friends who I think would really enjoy and benefit from the book. . . she’s not “academic” but she is sharp and new in the faith and this book really lays a good foundation in a way that I think would encourage her to study more and give her confidence in her ability to learn from the Bible.
And, wow. . . You have some amazingly great resources to recommend!
“I’m of a divided mind about “Theology” at all. Much of it seems too much like geometry but with even less application.”
I know I’m speaking primarily from my own experience, but for me theological pursuits just seem to compel my heart to worship and fill me with joy at the God Who has made us. That’s why I’m infatuated with “theology” — it brings joy and worship.
“But if men seemed obsessed with arguing over the rulebook, I’m not sure women need to try to join them in that area.”
I’ve seen that. . . Ugh. It’s hardly been on my radar, though. While we are in the States now, I’ve got to say that it was really nice being in Ukraine when some of the “issues” being debated within our circles were really non-issues for us.
When Life and Beliefs Collide, by Carolyn Custis James is another book that is geared toward women.
I bought Alsup’s book as well; just received it two weeks ago. I was also struck by how slim the volume was. I haven’t got into it yet, but the reviews have been pretty good, so I’m hopeful.
Thanks so much for the generous and wonderful words about my friend Wendy and her book.
Wendy is a friend of mine, one who I have always had immense respect for. When she first introduced Practical Theology for Women as a class at our church several years ago, I had the distinct privilege of being there at PTFW’s inception.
To see Wendy taking those class notes and form them into a successfully written book is thrilling. Reading the the book left me in tears, because I remember so vividly praying for those momentous events in her and Andy’s lives…seeing then and recalling now how Christ was faithful through it all makes my heart full and my eyes all teary!
And to see two women I admire greatly, Wendy and Tulip, combined here…how cool is that?!!
Thanks ladies! :grin:
Theology for girls… hmm… off the top of my head, here are my recommendations:
1. Heidelberg Catechism. This is the more “pastoral” of the Reformed catechisms, perhaps making it a bit more appealing to women then the cut and dry Westminster.
2. When Life and Beliefs Collide. I second that emotion! This book changed my life… turned me into the WWF I am today!
3. Putting Amazing Back into Grace and In the Face of God by Michael Horton. The latter here is probably the most important book in my life next to the Bible and Chosen By God by RC Sproul. I’d also put Christless Christianity by Horton in that group as well.
4. Augustine’s Confessions should top any list. Its #4 on mine, but only because i thought of it “4th”…
Okay, there are a few… this is a great thread! I think I might copy the idea and put it up on WWF!