50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from the Heroines of the Faith

Several women included in this volume have very questionable mystical experiences, involving visions of the virgin mary. Roman Catholic teaching is also not consistent with Scripture, but is considered acceptable in this book. Madeline L' Engle is a "spiritual guide" with teaching outside of clear Bible doctrine. Many of the women included are exemplary AND sound in their doctrine, but lumping them together with those that espouse false teaching is unacceptable

First, the obvious: I just loved reading through these tiny glimpses of these giant women of faith! It is like a Hebrews 11 book of women. And I truly mean it, these ladies were FAITHFUL. Writing and reading when it was frowned upon for women, trusting and loving the Lord when it meant certain death, standing up for the weak and destitute, and raising, and losing, hundreds of kids. How could this book NOT be an inspiration? Each time you set the book down these fifty women will stick to your heart, you will ponder their lives and your own guaranteed.

Second, I wish the editor had allowed for a 'Further Reading' section at the end of each chapter. I would love to read more on some of these women of faith. The very back of the book includes DeRusha's notes and Bibliography so I will try to cull some extra reading from there.

"50 Women" will be sticking with me for a long while, and will hopefully be making it's way onto my Re-Read 2015 list. Until then I will be trying to push everyone I know to read it and become inspired themselves. 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

See more of this review and others like it at Sunrise Avenue

As soon as I heard about 50 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle DeRusha, I knew it would be a great resource to have on hand and also share with my daughter someday.

My journal is full of quotes from this book as I was stirred by these fascinating stories of Christian woman from days gone by. I identified with their flaws and was inspired by the fruit of their endeavors.

Their imperfections startled yet reassured me; giving me freedom to be human. Their dedication to God spurred me on; pushing me forward in devotion and faith. Their trials and triumphs served as an important reminder that God can use anyone willing to respond His call and cause.

Some spoke out against slavery while others served as missionaries overseas.

Some tended to the sick while others struggled with illness, mistreatment and loss.

Some led quiet lives while others lived largely in the public eye.

These 50 women proved strong (and "tightly wound") as they overcame overwhelming obstacles. Many of them were misunderstood as they blazed new trails in their time. Many of them sacrificed greatly and suffered on behalf of Christ.

Some struggled to juggle their responsibilities (like Antoinette Brown Blackwell). "[She] may not have perfected the balance of work and home, but she was among the first to venture successfully into uncharted territory...not at the expense of domestic responsibility, but in harmony with it" (pg 179).

Some provided a successful model for mothering (like Susanna Wesley). "Realizing that her children might be deficient in individual attention, she established a rotating schedule of evening "conferences," during which she met with each child to discuss whatever was on his or her mind, from spiritual questions to more ordinary concerns" (pg. 95). This advice holds especially true for today's modern mother. Pulled in a thousand directions in a fast-paced culture the mother of the western world would do well to emulate the practices of Susanna Wesley.

DeRusha includes accounts of women I had never heard of, as well as a handful of familiar faces. With the sharing of each women's story the reader gleans valuable treasures to take with her on her own faith journey. The common thread throughout this book is the commitment and conviction of these women to stay the course set before them.

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review via Baker Publishing Group

The fifty women profiled in this feat of meticulous research were definitely world changers. Covering over 900 years of Christian history, Michelle DeRusha has included the familiar names of recent history (Flannery OConnor, Ruth Bell Graham); the less familiar names of previous centuries (Susanna Wesley, Lottie Moon); and then some obscure names from the distant past (Hildegard of Bingen, St. Birgitta of Sweden). She has drawn back the curtain on their background, the influences that shaped their decisions, and summarized their contribution with a winsome style that resists caricatures and stresses uniqueness.

Yes, Hildegard and Birgitta had some ideas and experiences that might not go over well with the ladies missionary fellowship. Yes, Katie bought some property without Martins approval; and, perhaps, Sojourner, Jarena, and Elizabeth could even be accused of having abandoned their families for the sake of their ministries. From start to finish, the book portrays real women, warts and all, who held to their convictions and did not abandon the church, even though many influential women of history (their peers) erroneously concluded that religion was detrimental to the cause of womens rights.

It is significant, I think, that only the last dozen or so of the collection would have had running water and indoor plumbing. It is also significant that many of them inhabited periods of history or geographical locations in which literacy and education for women were frowned upon. Often, against the norms of society (Victorian England) or against strong religious beliefs (Hinduism), a concerned father would see to his daughters education, putting in her hands the tools of influence. Most of the women profiled in the book suffered hardship or grief that led them to either seek God for solace or to seek opportunities for service to others in order to rise above their despair.

I was especially fascinated by the chains of influence that became apparent as I worked my way through the book chronologically. For instance, Clara Swains medical work in India paved the way for Dr. Ida Scudder; prison reformer Elizabeth Fry influenced the work of Florence Nightingale. Links continue to be added to this chain as great role models of the 20th century such as Elisabeth Elliot and Helen Roseveare have revealed in their writings the influence of these 50 great women.

And now, the baton is in our hands. It is of paramount importance that 50 Women Every Christian Should Know should become part of the reading experience of our generation of women, of our daughters, and of our grand-daughters. Reading about women who died for their faith, who made significant sacrifices to know Him and to make Him known, who persevered through the apparent silence of God only to hear Him speak this is inspiring to our own faith and vision as we strive to become heroines of the faith in our day.

I received this book free from Baker Publishing Group. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

I love this book for so many reasons, but mostly for the 50 amazing women Michelle DeRusha describes in its pages. This is a wonderful collection of short biographies. DeRusha does a wonderful job giving a brief history of each. This book could easily have been thousands of pages long, as each woman deserves her own full length biography.

There are so many women DeRusha writes about that I have never read about or even knew existed. One such woman is Hannah More (1745-1833) who opened a Sunday School in a barn to teach children scripture. She would go on to establish a dozen more in neighboring villages. Interestingly, Hannah was jilted three times at the altar by the same man. Due to the distress he caused her, he paid her an annual annuity which allowed her financial independence.

Other women DeRusha includes are more familiar like Mother Teresa, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Ruth Bell Graham. Their stories are well worth reading. I found them inspiring and encouraging. I would recommend this book to anyone to acquaint themselves with the heroines of the Christian Faith. This would be a great book for a book club or to include in curriculum. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.