INSPIRING WOMEN
Created as a woman
By Beverley Shepherd. CWR. 98 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978-1-85345-450-9
I started reading this promising book optimistically and completed it impressed with Beverley’s emphasis on transformation through submission to God. She makes some really good points throughout, but, sadly, I was troubled by others.
My particular concerns lie with the two most crucial chapters, ‘Created as a Woman’ and ‘Woman Redeemed’. I found both theologically inadequate and confusing. Consequently, the rest of the book lacked backbone.
Firstly, in her opening chapter on creation, male headship doesn’t get a mention. She describes Eve’s role as ‘co-ruler with Adam under God’s rule’. She states that Eve was given authority with certain boundaries and then writes (quoting Larry Crabb) that ‘all authority is “authority to serve” and not “authority to lead”’. I was left wondering what she meant by this in this context. (Is she referring to male headship here?) Despite biblical examples of the different ways in which men and women ‘express their authority to serve differently’, I was none the wiser.
Later in the book she uses extracts from Elaine Storkey’s Contributions to Evangelical Feminism. These references, along with some of her own comments, suggest that Beverley aligns herself with this group. If so, I’m not sure this book coherently argues their case.
Secondly, in the chapter on Redemption, she talks about repentance, transformation and restoration yet there’s no specific explanation of Christ’s work on the cross. How do you adequately explain redemption without Calvary? Answer… you can’t! Because she alludes to it later in the book I’m certain that she would share this view but it is puzzling that it’s not central to this chapter.
Sadly, this is not one I would recommend.
Jane McNabb,
The Slade Evangelical Church,
Plumstead, South East London
