Lost?

Normally, I shy away from Bible study books written by women for women, because they're typically so...so...so gender specific (I'm trying to be polite). Recently though, a friend gave me two books by Carolyn Custis James, and I just completed reading the one entitled Lost Women of the Bible. Lost, not in the sense of obscurity, but in reference to the lost feelings women experience when their lives turn out differently than they expected, or when they don't fit the mold. What does the Bible say to women whose lives don't follow the traditional formula? The author's purpose was not to retell familiar stories, but to focus on the lost pieces of each of their lives, then explain how they were vital to the advancement of Christ's kingdom.

Carolyn James sets the course with Eve, called first and foremost to be an image bearer of God (made in his likeness). "Eve's goal was to align herself with God at every possible level - to share his heart, imitate his ways, love what he loved, and join him in his work. It is the rarest of privileges, the highest of honors, the most daunting challenge imaginable." (p. 33) Secondly, God called Eve to be an ezer (pronounced azer), a strong helper or warrior. Eve was Adam's strong helper in their mandate to be fruitful and multiply and to rule the earth, not only multiplying physically but also spiritually, by multiplying worshipers of the living God. "The meaning of ezer...was diminished when translators rendered it 'helpmeet' and restricted it to marriage. A woman's mission centered on home and family - vital spheres of ministry to be sure, but only a slice of the vast mission God originally cast by calling women to rule and subdue the earth....The ezer is a warrior, and this has far-reaching implications for women, not only in marriage, but in every relationship, season, and walk of life." (pp. 35-36) Beginning with Eve and continuing throughout history, women are called to be man's staunchest allies as we work together to advance the kingdom of God, in our own hearts as well as over the earth.

In the following chapters, the author looks at the lives of Mrs. Noah, Sarah, Hagar, Tamar, Hannah, Esther, Mary (mother of Jesus), Mary Magdalene, and the women of Philippi as they assisted the Apostle Paul. She brings a new perspective to each of their lives as she highlights their roles as God's image bearers and as strong helpers in the advancement of the kingdom. I'm thankful for her insights, and I'm anticipating an equally stimulating read in the other book, When Life and Beliefs Collide.

(In case you're wondering, her books are endorsed by of J. I. Packer, R. C. Sproul, and Jerry Bridges, among others.)