Book review: Recovering from biblical manhood and womanhood: How the church needs to rediscover her purpose by Aimee Byrd

Abstract

secondary. Yet, Barr points out that as a woman’s so-called “calling” would be the “highest” if she remained at home, the calling of men grew even more broad and public facing. This is a message the church must hear: attaching calling language to any job, task or role only maintains the patriarchy. God’s people are called to be righteous and holy in relationship to him. While tasks may indicate one’s commitment to respond to that call, the tasks do not become the call. Barr demonstrates how the abuse of the word “calling” has kept women silent in their homes. Barr’s historical expertise adds to the courageous body of knowledge that is continually revealing the consequences of complementarianism. Her work comes alongside the biblical scholarship of Cynthia Westfall (2016), the cultural-theological perspective of Alice Matthews (2017) and the socio-political work of Kristin Kobes Du Mez (2020). She is in good company. While some parts of the book say what other voices have said (i.e., regarding Paul’s general view of women), other parts could only have been said by a careful historian. The reader of this book must be willing to challenge assumptions that have grown long roots in church, family, and political structures. It takes willingness to read this and lay down the stereotypes of how women are viewed both in the church and in the world. Men in leadership need to read this book so that they can grow in their advocacy for women. Women who don’t need another agenda, but who need plainly spoken perspective in order to put words to pain and confusion related to this topic will be enlivened by its implications. Because the biblical womanhood movement does not stay in one domain, neither does Barr. Biblical womanhood affects how evangelicals vote, organize, and contribute to the world and this book meets these adherents at every turn with valid questions of legitimacy, decency, and spirituality. If these devotees are willing to listen, then they are the primary reader Barr hopes to reach.