Book review 5: Women in a Patriarchal World

Author: Elaine Storkey.

I first heard Elaine speak when I was a young scamp, back from the field, at Tearfund (TF) HQ. I can’t remember why I chose her seminar but I do remember that I wasn’t expecting much sitting, as I was, at the back of the large room concerned mainly with whether any single TF ladies might catch my eye! (It was several years later that my eyes finally rested on the TF girl for me: Rachel Savage almost blew them from their sockets!!!!).

After 5 minutes Elaine had me so transfixed that my fin dropped completely.

She took us through gospel story after gospel story, all ones I was very familiar with – or at least I thought I was – and unpacked them from a female perspective, explaining how, without exception, Jesus empowered every women he encountered in a culturally radical and dangerous way. I was gobsmacked. It was, for me, a transformational experience. I’ve never quite read the Bible the same since.

Why, I questioned, had no-one else ever explained it like that to me before? Perhaps, because most of the talks I’d ever heard were from men!?

She combined a mastery of theology, with simple language and, every now and then, would drop in a mischievous little anecdote which belied her professional attire and revealed the humour & courage of a women who has challenged abuse across the world.

I’ve tried to follow her a little since, was privileged that she once spoke at an HIA conference and honoured that she wrote a foreword to our book (A house Built on Love).

‘Women in a patriarchal world’ captures the same humour, humanity, faith, and intellect of Elaine:

You instinctively trust her mastery of the subject area, it feels well researched without bogging you down with boring, over-the-top exegesis or analysis. Each short chapter can be read as a stand-alone. I chose to use the book more like a reflection/ devotional read. Her writing is warm and non-threatening. This makes it more accessible and believable. She introduces you to new characters, unpacks the story, applies them to modern day and then your thoughts marinate her insights.

Each chapter focuses on a different female character from the Bible. Most, but not all, of them I knew a little about. Without fail I came away with fresh understanding and somehow felt encouraged. What struck me in particular was the range of women’s roles referenced and how, without fail, they are honoured, clearly loved and used by God:

· The midwife.

· The mother

· The daughter

· The prostitute,

· The prophet

· The poet

· The judge

· The worship leader

· The widow

· The mother who lost her child to adoption.

· The sister

· The princess

· The wife

· The ‘wise woman of Abel’

· The two mothers (again probably prostitutes) in a squabble.

· Huldah who spoke truth to power.

· The divorcee from a different race.

· The rich lady

· The bleeding woman.

· The ‘sassy’ Canaanite

· The poor but generous widow

· The teacher.

That’s some range of representation.

As I read each one, my confidence in the relevance of the Bible grew. It blows open the charge that women in the Bible bowed down to patriarchy. Yet again, I was made to see, how ‘the Word’ stands upto the scrutiny of our 21st century #metoo world.

And therefore, it feels a really important book for young people to read. I bought 4 copies and gave one each to my two daughters and another to a close friend’s 2 daughters. (I don’t think any have read them but they got something just from the title, I hope). Just as important, I’ll be buying one for my son when I judge him to be old enough- so he too can then roll his eyes at me and completely ignore it!

All I would say was I was left wishing Elaine had turned her hand to many other women in the Bible not reached by this book: Tamar, Esther, Eve, Elizabeth, the paralysed lady. Perhaps, that is the sign of a good book: it leaves you wanting more!