This was a great book. I grew up in an evangelical church that is very patriarchal. I could not relate what I felt about God and what the church taught about women and their "place". Thank you Mr. Grady!

This book cuts through traditional views which limit God's disciples in their call to serve Him, whether one is a man or a woman. A great resource and study for individuals or groups.

*Please note that caps are surrogate for italics throughout my review.

To be fair, I really don't believe there's any way to redefine "feminism"; it is just the other form of sexism and gender bias. So, instead of writing a biased review in favor of feminism's equally hard headed counterpart, I'm going to critique the author, And his critics of these comments. Overall, this book has changed my life and opened my eyes in so many ways, even unto confirming the objections in my heart against things that just didn't set right for so very long.

I'm incredibly grateful for Lee Grady's boldness of which he's come under tremendous fire from within our own brethren of course, but still marches on setting women like me TOTALLY FREE. Godspeed Mr. Grady and much love to you from this sister.

Now the biased reviews of the men on this thread make it evident that they didn't read the book at all, and that they utterly refuse to recognize the gross misuse of scripture in favor of the male gender that is still prevalent in church. I've quoted and rebutted some segments below:

"And now women are urged to behave like abusive men to take over the roles that they believe they have been denied. . . Well, men and women are equally depraved. . ." (which is undeniably true throughout all time and history). . ."but I fear my "sisters" may surpass in their abuse of the opposite gender."

The author in NO way encourages misandry (hatred of men and abuse thereof) in order to correct the problem of chauvinism. Multiple times, in multiple places in the book, Grady expresses grief over the abuses women have incurred upon men. Secondly, the fear that women "may surpass in their abuse" is exactly the fear and pride in men that assumes men are less harmful and therefore spiritually superior, and this attitude of fear and superiority is precisely what chauvinism is. This Fear, in fact, began right in the Garden, where Adam placed lopsided blame on Eve for the harm done in that moment.

"Submission is not slavery. Men submit to their boss, their company policies, (even stupid ones), etc., etc."

The author clearly states the importance of due exegetical discourse on the term "submission" in Chapter 10 (p. 181-195) but emphasizes that it is not unilaterally the responsibility of women, and that it is ALWAYS a mutual endeavor. Yes, men submit to their leaders but again, Jesus made it clear that submission is not on a hierarchal plane as the gentiles structure it. "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many". (Mark 10:42-45 NKJV)

". . .submitting to one another in the fear of God". (Ephesians 5:21 NKJV) This happens to be the first verse on submission in the chapter, and God encourages mutual submission among ALL to ALL. And that means men submit to women also. Men do not have any prerogative for authority over women whatsoever just because of their gender. Not even the Father usurps authority over Jesus; the will of all three persons in the Godhead are always perfectly aligned. For Jesus to say, "Not my will but thine. . .", He is stating that He will NOT act independently out of HIS OWN will whilst disregard the will of the other members of the Godhead.

Finally, gender equality isn't a "secular sensibility" any more than it is the command of the Lord, point blank.

Finally, I don't agree with economic socialism as the author seems to advocate, and I think the author, I hope unintentionally, insinuated that those who desire marriage or who are married aren't as spiritually strong and enabled as single people. I sure wish I could hold a good discourse with him on these issues. Notwithstanding Grady is an absolute Godsend.

Must read! I found this on our church's bookshelf. I picked it up and started it suspiciously. I finished it last night and was challenged, inspired and encouraged in my relationship with Christ. This cleared up so many obstacles in my understanding of scripture and in my Christian life.

Excellent book. Thoroughly researched. The men in your church probably won't want you to read this, and those men are specifically addressed in this book. My advice is to not let yourself be bullied by those men. Read the book, investigate the research, evaluate the book for yourself, do your homework.