When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference

Sooner or later, life's difficulties bring every Christian woman to God's doorstep with questions too personal to ignore. "Why does God let me go through such painful circumstances?" "Why does he seem indifferent to my prayers?" We're tired of spiritual pie in the sky. We want authentic, God-as-he-really-is faith---the kind that holds us together when our world is falling apart and equips us to offer strength and hope to others.

When Life and Beliefs Collide raises a long-overdue call for us to think seriously about what we believe about God. With passion, brilliance, and eloquence, Carolyn Custis James weaves stories of contemporary women with episodes from the life of Mary of Bethany to illustrate the practical benefits of knowing God deeply. Examining the misperceptions and abuses that discourage women from pursuing a deeper understanding of God, this insightful book demonstrates how practical and down to earth knowing God can be.

A book that calls us to be a composite of two women--Mary and Martha--who take time to know Jesus better and whose theology informs and emboldens their ministries to others.

"You know, there have never been any great women theologians." So said a professor to James, a writer and speaker with a master's degree in biblical studies. She begs to differ, and backs up her stance with strong arguments. Spurred on by the professor's inane comment, James started on a journey to understand exactly how Christian theology fits into women's lives. Very nicely, thank you. James asserts that when life's problems come calling, women will rely on their knowledge of God to carry them through. If their understanding of God's unchangeable character is sound, these hurting women have solid resources to draw on and emerge from difficulties as stronger and more resilient Christians. On the flip side, she cautions, those whose theology is weak will quaver when the storms hit. The author cites Mary of Bethany as the quintessential biblical female theologian, who discarded current social stigmas and sat at Jesus' feet right along with the men. Mary looked to Jesus to solve life's problems and sought to learn from him at every opportunity. As she did, her theology was strengthened, making her one of the few who understood and ministered to Jesus before his crucifixion. Says James, all women need theology for themselves, each other, their families and the church at large because theologically strong women make it their business to shore up and encourage those within their sphere of influence. This thoughtful text, admonishing every woman to embrace theology, should be classed as required reading in basic Christian doctrine. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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Reviewed by Harvey Kunnen (Saginaw, MI), November 17, 2009

The ladies at church are using this book for study. They seem quite pleased with it.

Reviewed by Carol J Dewing (Arlington, MA), September 04, 2009

Excellent--had read her book, the Gospel of Ruth and discovered the meaning of "eraz" among other gems. This book is also very helpful and I hope she goes on to write more about Christian Life and living the way the Lord wants of us. Thank you---Carol J Dewing (Catholic Christian)

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