I love reviewing fiction because it provides opportunities to discover new authors and enjoy a little literary entertainment. It's not often that I get the chance to a review a book that goes beyond something fun. I'm talking about a book that speaks to my soul in just the right way.
Thank you to Litfuse for providing me with a review copy.
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I first came across Wendy Alsup's blog when I was googling around to see if anyone had read The Explosive Child and reviewed it from a Christian perspective. Wendy had, and it was by her review and experience that I went on to read the book and glean some great common grace from it. From there, I read through more of Wendy's archives and came to see her as a legit gospel partner, and someone who had a lot to teach on the theological front for women.
When I received notice about the opportunity to review Wendy's new book, The Gospel Centered Woman, I jumped at the chance to review a new book that would further my own growth and understanding of what the gospel actually is, and how it applies to me beyond my salvation.
This has been a journey I've been on with my church family over the last couple of years. It's been a period in my walk with the Lord where my eyes have been opened more than ever before to how the gospel can actually speak into and transform our lives.
Wendy's book goes deep into what she refers to as understanding Biblical womanhood through the lens of the gospel. She doesn't mince words, and she speaks to not only wives (as I find some books on Biblical womanhood do) but really has a heart to reach women wherever they find themselves in their walk with the Lord. I've done a variety studies on Biblical womanhood over the years, but this is my first time going through it specifically through the lens of the gospel. I obviously can't imagine a better lens to look through.
Here are a couple of gems I've picked up... I don't want to share too much out of context, but these passages really spoke to me:
The woman bought by Christ who is set up as God's honored daughter with full access to the King of kings has her needs met in Him. God pours into her. God equips her. God satisfies her emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.
We have the hope of God's power to transform us from women who take matters into our own hands out of distrust of God's plan and purposes into women who, in the image of God, help, strengthen, and support in our realm of influence, trusting God with the example He has given us.
This book is a great tool for learning about what the gospel is and how it gives meaning to our lives as women.
More information
About The Gospel-Center Woman: Understanding Biblical Womanhood through the Lens of the Gospel
Many Christian books written to women claim to present God's good instructions for their lives. Some expound on the value of marriage and children. Many extol the virtues of the Proverbs 31 wife. A good number teach the value of love, submission, and respect in Christian marriages. Though this book deals with these topics, The Gospel-Centered Woman addresses women from an entirely different perspective. The most important part of the Bible's instructions to women center around the gospel. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection brought about a seismic shift in our understanding of Scripture. After His resurrection, His disciples understood words written thousands of years before with a clarity they never had previously. The good news of Christ illuminates all other Scripture, including instructions to women.
About Wendy
Wendy Alsup is a wife, mom, and math teacher. She is the author of Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives and By His Wounds You are Healed: How the Message of Ephesians Transforms a Woman's Identity. Find out more about Wendy at www.theologyforwomen.org.
