The most important part of the book also translates into the longest part of the book and ended up feeling like a slog.
I read this for a summer book group with church, and had a deadline for chapters, etc, which likely also contributed to feeling at times like the reading was a chore, not something I could do at my leisure, stopping to consider what I was reading as I needed to. Be that as it may, this is a book worthy of taking time to sit with what she says and consider it.

Most people tend to fit into 2 categories when it comes to the Bible and women: either the Bible is contradictory and outdated and not to be trusted when it comes to women, or that it treats women as less than and inferior, and a large part of how they see the world is shaped by this. Both viewpoints are formed from a misunderstanding of God and the value that he places on women.

Alsup takes a lot of time to develop and explain a truly Biblical view of women, starting from the very beginning in Genesis. She lays out a foundation of women bearing God’s image and thus being a valued and integral part of his work in the earth and throughout history. Yep, women have gotten the short end of a lot of sticks, and yes, yes, yes! a lot of religions and cultures treat women abominably (including some sects of Christianity) but that doesn’t mean that’s how it’s meant to be. This is explained through many examples of biblical women, and different Bible passages. She gives solid reasoning for her viewpoints, and though some truths might be hard to hear (mostly because they directly contradict American culture and independence), they are worth considering.

Alsup also goes beyond biblical womanhood to discuss what the Bible says about men, how they are to reflect God’s image, and how both men and women are interdependent on each other to work together in order to be God’s image and bring his plan to bear in this world. This makes a lot of sense and provides much value, considering the argument of interdependence that she lays out throughout the book. She asserts that the individual benefits when the community benefits, and gives a call for noble and sacrificial living for the good of others that many could see as demeaning and subjugating, especially in the light of centuries of oppression of women, as well as our fierce American independence (and selfishness, IMO, but that’s not particularly American, it’s more of a general human tendency)

So, is the Bible good for women? Yes, Alsup asserts, but she doesn’t stop there. We can’t just stand up and claim our rights and have done with it. Women are created to bear God’s image. She explains what that looks like and the work that it entails, and why that, also, is very good. ( )

This would be a generally-reliable and helpful (not too technical) book for a woman (or a man) in regards to some of the controversial biblical passages and characters. If one already has a solid understanding of the authority of Scripture (inspiration, inerrancy, sufficiency), then you could skip ahead to chapter 8 or 9.

Though Alsup is at a Presbyterian church now, that doesn’t come through in her argumentation. Thus it’s a broadly helpful primer on a orthodox understanding of women. I also appreciated how directly she refuted the interpretations of those like Rachel Held Evans. ( )

If we believe the Bible is the unquestionable word of God, we probably have to also believe it’s good for everyone. If we believe the Bible’s just an interesting old book, we’ll apply its rules to the present day with much more caution and doubt. But readers who find themselves in between these stances, particular women, might be drawn to read this book in search of hope and recognition.

Wendy Alsup offers lots of intriguing answers to those questions or Bible stories so often presented to hold women down. In "Is The Bible Good For Women?" she reminds her readers why interpretation can't be treated the same way as truth. Meanwhile she offers honest insights into a Bible that’s not a textbook or a collection of stories with easy applications. Old Testament tales of wounded women are presented in historical context, revealing surprisingly good consequences for women. What looks from the outside like restriction becomes protection when viewed through a historical lens. And the misuse of those same protections today is man's mistake, not God's.

I enjoyed the author’s Christ-centered, whole-story approach to the Old Testament, and was fascinated by her explanation of the difference between wisdom and law. New Testament applications, however, are strongly guided by the author’s own experience. Thankfully, she does remind us of this, and explains her interpretation is never meant as a blueprint for all. But for some, the uneven avoidance of outside interpretations might result in a New Testament “wisdom” that sounds too close to “law.”

Readers who enjoyed the earlier parts of the book might justifiably be disappointed as the reading continues. For myself, I’d rather believe women can become more free—I prefer a different interpretation from the author's, and I choose to let New Testament culture advise my understanding of the New Testament, as Old Testament culture does my view of the Old. That said, I really enjoyed Wendy Alsup’s book. The questions included at the end would make it an excellent resource for a women’s study group, and the emphasis on Christ makes it a good Christian resource as well.

Disclosure: Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review. ( )