Jesus Feminist | Review

After following along with Rachel Held Evans through her blog and now her books, I have come across several other women of valor that are bold, courageous, and God fearing ladies that also happen to be more than ordinary. After coming across Sarah Bessey’s blog and her new book, Jesus Feminist, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to do a review for a book that was written by the “spiritual big sis” of someone I would readily consider to have had a huge impact on my spiritual journey. Needless to say I was excited. Throughout the book my excitement was confirmed as she spoke so much truth into a vastly important topic. By the end you will be joining in my confirmation with a hearty “‘Eshet Chayil!’, ‘Woman of Valor!'”

 

If you’ve ever been curious about how Jesus not only viewed woman, but what he thought about their place was in this world, then you need to pick up a copy of this book and reevaluate your vocabulary, as you will likely become a Jesus Feminist as well. One of the things I like most about this book is that it is written without note of condescending judgement or all knowing arrogance. It is humble, real, and beautifully blemished with the love of a woman who is seeking after the heart of the King. Sarah Bessey is a Canadian mother, wife, and blogger who, like us all, is trying to balance life in every realm and live into who she was created to be as a daughter of God.

Sarah captivates the reader in this book from the get go with her brave honesty to challenge the status quo of extreme thinking when it comes to something as simple as vocabulary. As she so eloquently puts it, as women Jesus invites us to participate in the Kingdom of God and that “we are simply getting on with it, with the work of justice and mercy, the glorious labor of reconciliation and redemption, the mess of friendship and community, the guts of walking on the water, and the big-sky dreaming of the Kingdom of God.” We, just as are men, are seeking to become more like Jesus, and in His example, that’s where we find our true purpose and example of how to walk through this journey of life with our eyes focused on the Father.

 

She starts the book by presenting the very notion of the words feminism and feminist as not so terrifying as the world seems to believe. She dares to exclaim that perhaps at the core, despite the disposition of the far extremes, that “feminism simply consists of the radical notion that women are people, too.” She does a fantastic job of looking to the scriptures in context to affirm that women not only had a place in the Bible, but that they were intricately significant in the story of the Son of God from start to finish in His life and ministry here on earth.

This book is of particular importance to me as I am ever seeking to understand what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around me. It is challenging, emotional, and familiar like a conversation with an old friend. While there are some points in the book I want to look into further in regards to scripture references, the role of the women in relation to historical texts, and so forth, my desire to do so moves from the encouragement she gives to be an active part of learning and growing in the faith, not from disagreement. Her references and notes are such a great starting point to continue the journey she creates in this book.

I would highly recommend this book to women who are questioning their view of women in the faith, seeking guidance and encouragement on the calling in their life to share the gospel and speak His name, and anyone seeking an “older sister” to share the stories and knowledge of her own journey.  While I never thought I’d pair these words together, it’s safe to say that as He was then, I am now, a Jesus Feminist.