The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
By Shannon Bream (Broadside Books)
In her New York Times bestseller, The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today, media personality Shannon Bream retells the stories of 16 women and then adds six others who met Jesus face-to-face. Some regularly appear in sermons and Sunday school lessons, while others rarely receive mention. The Miss America finalist and Liberty University and law school graduate dedicates the volume to her grandmothers and not surprisingly opens and closes with Proverbs 31:25—“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
In eight segments, the author juxtaposes six female pairs from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament onto themes such as “Tamar and Ruth: Outsiders” and “Esther and Rahab: Unexpected Heroes of Faith.” The final “Jesus and the Women” chapter profiles women accused and women in need, financially or physically. A plethora of Scripture references infuse the text and serve as the basis for the author’s comments about what the “key players in [God’s] unfolding plan” might have felt or thought. Each segment closes with study questions, and an extensive index details people, places and subjects.
With her national audience, Shannon Bream’s Women of the Bible Speak provides a platform for both deepening the faith of believers and reaching non-Christians with the gospel. Although Bible purists may not appreciate the author putting herself and thus the reader into the hearts and minds of the women, the technique makes for an honest and engaging experience that goes below the surface. Care, however, should be taken if using the stories with youth, especially younger teens and preteens, as the journalist doesn’t gloss over gritty truth.
Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president
Texas WMU and Baptist General Convention of Texas
Waco
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