Women of the Word | Book Review

“How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds.”

Have you ever had the desire to be a ‘Woman of the Word?’ If you’ve ever listened to, read or watched a Bible scholar teach and thought ‘how’d they do that?’, or wondered how to get more out of your personal study of the Bible,- this book is sure to help!

This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Although Jen Wilkin https://www.jenwilkin.net/ has been writing books for some time, Women of the Word is my first exposure to her work. It came highly recommended, and I was excited to dig in.

Wow!

Would it be too casual of me to say, Wow!? Because that’s what I’m thinking! Here Wilkin has provided a step by step approach to studying God’s Word. We’re talking STUDY here, not a simple ‘walk in the park,’ so to speak.

Don’t get me wrong. Simple, consistent Bible reading, along with prayer, will go a long way in encouraging our relationship with God. It will keep our minds and spirits in tune with Him and enable us to respond to the Holy Spirit within us.

Consider the five “P’s.”

After building a case for Bible literacy, the book teaches five key elements to study the Word. Wilkin explains in length, how to dig into the Scriptures with purpose, perspective, patience, process, and prayer. Each point is practical and excellently developed.

As I read through the chapters, I had a few trepidations arise. My concerns aren’t about Wilkins work. She uses great caution. But as we humans have a way of complicating the most straight forward things, I think these concerns are worth mentioning.

Helpful Tools

What we have here in Women of the Word are potentially, highly useful tools to help us learn. It is not intended to be a new conscience binding formula. I encourage you to keep your conscience free. Study the Bible with your whole heart and mind, whichever way you will. No doubt, the tips laid out in Woman of the Word are not the only way to study Scripture. But they are an exceptional way.

Being women of the Word suggests a particular passion for the Word. In our earnest zeal to understand and interpret the Bible, we must ultimately be willing to submit ourselves to God and His purposes. Regardless of our search for proper purpose and perspective in regards to the Word, if we aren’t prepared to submit our wills and understanding to God, we have the potential to hold our opinions of rightness, order, and justice higher than God’s.

A Defining Question

In her conclusion, Wilkin mentions a question that came her way. Someone asked if she was a God-worshipper or a Bible-worshipper. What an astounding and utterly defining thing to ask! I had honestly never thought of such, but this clearly defines so much.

In terms of the Word, a God-worshipper loves the Word for all that it reflects and speaks about God. It is quite literally God-breathed communication with them. They crave the Word to hear from God – their hearts desire.

Alternately, a Bible-worshipper is one that loves an object, collecting ‘knowledge’ for knowledge sake, rather than embracing God. This idea clarifies the difference between a grace-filled Christ-follower and a graceless, law-keeping ‘Bible-thumper.’ One knows Christ, the other, at best, is seriously confused.

So, I’m anxious (in a good way) to hear what you all think! Did you enjoy the teaching in Women of the Word? Did it present tools you think you might use in your study of the Word? Do you have an idea as to how you can make these tips practical for your use?

Let’s chat!
Renee@grammiechats.com

Be sure and subscribe to the Wise Words Book Club! You’ll be the first to know about new monthly titles and Book Giveaways. The current August 2019 read is War Of Words by Paul David Tripp. The next Book Giveaway will be late August 2019.