I highly recommend this book, uncovering and exposing sexism, biases, and abuse in the Church. Only through discussion and advocacy can these issues be addressed and reformed. The book is very readable, non-technical, and fairly short, yet it is packed with useful information as well as the identification of necessary actions to improve systems and repair damage to women and the church. Pastors and men in the evangelical community should be especially encouraged to read this book and understand its implications.

Author Rev. Dr. Heather Matthews is a pastor, Doctor of Ministry Program Manager at Wheaton College Graduate School, and has a D.Min. from Fuller Seminary, an M.A. in Educational Ministry and an M.A. in Counseling Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL Despite her education and leadership skills, she has experienced sexism and abuse in and from evangelical churches. She writes as a subject matter expert and from experience.

"Sexism is alive in the church and is malignant in the body of Christ because it prevents women from flourishing (p31)."

"When we are genderblind, we consciously or unconsciously ignore the dynamics of sexism. We ignore male privilege and assume that men and women have equal opportunity and experience. A similar ideology of colorblindness has played out with regard to race in America (pp18-19)."

"Evangelical theology that devalues women's humanity, experience, leadership, talents, and bodies necessarily leads to sexism (p27)."

"Throughout Scripture God is concerned about justice, and justice is a primary identifier of the kingdom of God and the people of God (p45)."

"Women are still seen as sexually dangerous, created for domesticity, and unfit and unqualified for leadership in the church (p61)."

"'It is easier to devalue and then mistreat those humans who are believed to be less like God' (p78)."

"Sadly, the evangelical church is experiencing a brain drain of female leaders because there is no place for them to lead and serve (p94)."

"This objectification of women's bodies naturally explain the current rape culture and addition to pornography by many men (p99)."

"Women's bodies and sexuality are often seen and experienced as problems in the church (p100)."

"While our culture has been moving toward greater freedom for women, the evangelical church has moved in the opposite direction by increasingly restricting women (p117)."

"Since most men have not experienced sexism, it is easy to discount, minimize, rationalize, or ignore the experiences of women (p127)."

"Evangelical marriage is a place of privilege for men. God's original vision for marriage is one based on partnership, equality, and mutual flourishing (p130)."

"This is what is needed in Christian leadership - men who are habitual, courageous allies for women (p142)."

"It's not surprising that the frequency of female preaching is extremely low since most churches have male senior pastors who are gatekeepers to the pulpit (p166)."

"One of the worst forms of sexism that still exists is that women who speak up about sexual violence are routinely dismissed, discredited, and silenced (p182)."

My Conclusion

Tragically, sexism is alive and well in the Christian church and contemporary culture. Women continue to experience discrimination, sexual harassment and abuse, and barriers to flourishing as God's image bearers. This book is a valuable and excellent resource, raising awareness of the appalling treatment of women and how this negatively impacts the witness of the church. I hope many will read this book, especially men, and will have the courage to advocate for antisexism theology, policies, and practices.