This is exactly the kind of book that I love. It doesn't just talk surface level Christianity, or surface level scripture. It dives deep into the women of the Bible, and I love digging deep into Bible figures. But especially the women of the Bible. There is something very special reading about the women of the Bible, especially since there are more than it seems initially. When you get into a book like this, you see how many women are really talked about even in a culture that saw women as lesser...(God didn't). Digging in to the culture of the times and the way the Bible handles that. I also think this is a book that is vitally needed in this time when feminism is at its height but is also turning into something entirely different and new, seeing female figures from the Bible and what the Bible says of them is so important in understanding God's true place for women. Of course because there are only so many verses that cover these women, the author does expound on what they might have been thinking and feeling, (what some might call creative license), but I think we should always do this when endeavoring to understand the Bible more fully. They were people just like we are, so we can easily sympathize with them if we put ourselves in their mindsets. I think that is an important part of studying the Bible and Bible figures. Though I may not agree with everything outright, I don't believe there is a single book--except the Bible--that would agree with 100% and that doesn't mean I can't learn valuable lessons from it.

This book went super in depth and captured my attention from beginning to end. They relate problems of the now with how the women in the bible would have reacted. It was phenomenal.

I must admit, I had never looked at women of the Bible that had suffered injustices for lack of a better word, and thought about women of today dealing with the same issues. This book will make you do that. Very good book and interesting. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

I was excited to read Women of the Bible Speak Out when I saw that the author speaks on women in the Bible no one else really writes about. This is geared toward women who have been hurt, abused, betrayed, etc and in need of healing. Schalesky deftly weaves their stories into her message and while I did not agree with everything she said, I still enjoyed this book very much. Schalesky is definitely unapologetic in her approach, not hesitating to call out the men in our society and church who use their authority or position to victimize women. However, I couldn't help but feel there was an agenda of some sort. Not that I necessarily disagree with it, but there were some things that just didn't vibe with me. 

I definitely need to do a dive into Scripture to check on a few things, but I'm not mad about that. Any book that steers you toward THE Book is a good thing. I might need to watch the documentary Audrie and Daisy again but I'm pretty sure she mixed up the two girl's stories. An odd mistake but this book actually made me want to watch it and I discovered her error in the first 30 minutes. Small point but it bothered me. 

With that said, what I really enjoyed was Schalesky's take on the womens' stories as they may have told them. Each one made me consider something I'd never thought of before, which is surprising. I've read the story of the first sin countless times yet never really looked at it from Eve's perspective. I never considered how Adam's finger pointing could have destroyed everything they had together. I'd never noticed that though Sarah does speak in other parts of Genesis, she doesn't say a word during the two times Abraham denies her the protection of marriage and tells her to pretend she's his sister to save his hide. 

I'll probably end up eating this again just so I can do that deep dive. Will I recommend it to others? Sure, as long as they check it against Scripture. Thanks to NetGalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Schlesky does a beautiful job of going deep into scripture, fleshing out stories of women in the Bible we may not know much about, and connecting that our lives as women in the 21st century. Every chapter left me both craving more of scripture and feeling peace and hope that some of what I’ve experienced is understandable to women of the Bible. I would highly recommend this book to any woman!

I absolutely loved this book!  Women of the Bible Speak Out gives the reader an unique look at social injustice through the eyes of women that are in the Bible.  It gives us a lens that helps us to see that God is for women and not against them and that He does not approve of the social injustice that can be imposed on them at times.   It gave me a new perspective of the Bible stories referenced in the book that I had never heard before.  I loved that the Bible Women gave their own account of what happened to them in the Bible.  Being a woman on which injustices have been imposed on, I appreciated that the injustices laid out in the book were not swept under the rug, but were dealt with.  I also appreciated how the author continued to tell the reader over and over that if these injustices happened to them that Christ still loves them and and has a purpose for them--to tell their story and to not be ashamed to get help.  As soon as I started reading the book, I started telling people about it.  I recommend this book to women who have experienced injustices of any kind--especially abuse or assault..  I believe and pray that anyone who reads this book will find strength to be the person God means them to be.  Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

The book Women of the Bible Speak Out by Marlo Schalesky is a fictionized first-person account of some of the more familiar women’s stories from the Bible. This book encourages women to dig deeper into the easily recognized stories. Marlo inspires women to realize that God sees each one of these women in a personal way, and He sees us as well. With this understanding, the reader is empowered to find healing from abuse and betrayal. Through a personal relationship with our Father, we can trust Him to help us through any situation our modern world takes us through. We can rely on Him for wholeness and freedom. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

Many times, when women look for protection, understanding and counsel in the church, they might feel overlooked or worse, find their church, their spiritual home, touting the same misogynist paroles, even contributing to the systems. Even the Bible is often claimed to be sexist.

I have been looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint my expectations. Marlo focuses on women's stories, their voices and shows that we can find hope, healing and understanding in God's word and that our stories are represented there. She connects these women's stories with real life examples of the abuse and pain women have to endure today. She does so by giving us the perspective of each woman, by imagining what she would tell us and what she felt in her situation.

I find this way of exploring Biblical stories by retelling it from their perspective very helpful to dive deeper into a story, but this is where some people may object and rather prefer the literal words of the Bible. But instead of highlighting this as a weekness of this book, I think these stories can serve as a great foundation for a Bible study and to read them alongside the Biblical text.

The book is easy to read and very comforting and encouraging. I loved learning about each woman and I think that we as women need more books like this. Recommended for all women's bible study groups as well as individual study.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

In Women of the Bible Speak out, author Marlo Schalesky gives the stories of many Bible women that have suffered issues such as abuse, been betrayed, abandoned, misused and so much more. The author doesn’t speak about these things to condemn them, but to show her readers that there is hope in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As she talks about each woman, she gives the hope that each finds in Christ alone.

I am glad I requested this book to review. I learned a lot if things about these women of the Bible talked about in this book. I also heard stories of real life people, including the author, of their struggles with these issues. I feel the author dies a great job interpreting the meanings and feelings if these ladies if the Bible. But of course this is the author’s viewpoint, and just as it is with anyone, it may be a little different that what others see. But the overall thing us this, we can find help, hope, strength and restoration when putting our faith and hope in Jesus Christ. And this is what the author here shows us in so many ways. And I can only sympathize with her for her own struggles, and I praise her for allowing others into her life through this wonderful book she has written. I highly recommend this book to those who are fighting with things in their life that is pulling them down, pulling them away from their life with Christ, or maybe there are ladies out there reading this that has never put their faith and trust in Jesus, and this book is for all! Everyone reading this book with find something that relates to them because we all have our struggles. And we all need the help and hope only Jesus can give.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This was such a great book to read, as I just finished writing a book on the women in the book of John.  I was hoping for a little more research on each of these women but overall I really enjoyed this read.  I think it would be good for younger Christian girls to read, to help them understand the roles women played in Scripture.

Marlo Schalesky uses the Bible stories of twenty women to address her contemporary female audience struggling with issues like betrayal, anger, abuse, rejection, domination, danger, oppression, shame, and scorn. From Eve and Sarai to Hannah to characters in the Gospels like the Samaritan woman, a woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus, and the sinful woman breaking the alabaster jar with perfume to anoint Jesus Christ and dry his feet with her hair.

Schalesky lets these women speak out, often with a fictional narrative true to the BIblical context. In Women of the Bible Speak Out Stories of Betrayal, Abuse, Healing, and Hope, she points out how these women deal with the adversary circumstances to offer hope, healing, and an open door to the readers. Next, an elaboration of where God is amidst these troubled situations according to Scripture, and an encouragement to close off each chapter are provided. There's power in hope, forgiveness, love, and gratefulness. God offers His healing, comfort, wholeness, and peace to women today.

Sometimes, it is all too easy to look at biblical stories and misinterpret God’s perception and purpose for women. In Women of the Bible Speak Out, Marlo Schalesky delves into the accounts of well-known female figures, highlighting how their experiences prove relevant still today—especially as God’s treatment of them offers necessary hope. Though these women have long been familiar to me, Schalesky provided me with plenty on which to think, consider, and further research. I enjoyed how approachable she made her text and easily recommend it to interested, thoughtful readers.

Womoen of the Bible Speak Out is a book with with an interesting premise - giving a voice to the women often ignored in the Bible. Collectively, women do not tend to be the focus in Christian discussions and this book meets that gap. However, as another reviewer mentioned the author oversteps providing a platform for these powerful women that allows. the reader to learn more about, but instead inserts herself on the thoughts and experiences of the women. This book has the opportunity to be incredibly powerful as some of the women included in the book experienced tragic events that still occur for some women currently. This book provides a hopeful approach and I think if a reader can focus on that this may be a good read!

Thank you to Netgalley, Our Daily Bread Publishing, and Marlo Schalesky for providing the ARC of Women of the Bible Speak Out. All thoughts and opinions on this book are my own.

With the recent headlines about gender-based abuse, power, harassment, and assault, it seems as if everyone is searching for answers. Marlo Schalesky provides a biblical response to the tough questions raised by these issues. She explores the stories of twenty women in Scripture, including Eve, Sarah, and Bathsheba—women who were betrayed, abused, endangered, blamed, and shamed. As she leads us in studying the biblical text, she draws our eye to God’s responses to these women and their situations:  Eve: The Way It Was Supposed to Be

Sarai: Betrayed
Hagar: – Used
Lot’s Daughters & A Levite’s Concubine: Abused
Two Tamars: Rejected
Hannah: Devalued
Abigail: Endangered
Bathsheba: Sexualized
Esther: Dominated
Mary & Martha: Oppressed
A Samaritan Woman: Shamed
A Sinful Woman: Scorned
A Woman Caught in Adultery: Blamed
Women at the Tomb: Disbelieved
She points out a way to healing, wholeness, and freedom. In the midst of today’s #MeToo conversations, this book will give new voice to the remarkable women of Scripture—and new hope to many, many women today.

My Thoughts:  This is an interesting book about women who have overcome betrayal, abuse, and how the Bible shows the healing that helped these women.  The book shows us women like Sarah, Hagar, Lot's daughters just to name a few.  The author then shows us through the Bible how they overcame their situations.  The true-life illustrations help illustrate how women do feel in these situations.  The one thing that the reader can remember is, is that God always offers grace in every situation.  We see that throughout the Bible.  Each woman mentioned in this book was offered grace from God and that He offers it to us as well.   This is a book that would be useful for women who have been through difficult situations and are in need of healing.  The author has done a wonderful job of illustrating her points in this book.

What Happens When Worldviews Collide?
I dove into Women of the Bible Speak Out with mixed feelings and the expectation of doing a lot of skimming.

I didn’t. Instead, this book kept my interest from beginning to end. That’s impressive. Written in a conversational style, the book chronicles the experiences both of modern women and Biblical counterparts who endured similar situations—abuse, neglect, abandonment, pressure… all the ugliness.

First, I’d like to thank the author for being so careful to write her Biblical illustrations with deliberate care. Every one of the women used as an example “wrote” a message about her experience, and Marlo Schalesky makes a point, every time, of reminding us that this is what the woman could have said rather than did. It’s one woman’s (the author’s) interpretation of the Biblical subtext.

Additionally, Schalesky is careful to dive deep into Scripture instead of just making assumptions or regurgitating what we’ve heard often but might not actually be Biblically supported. Well done.

So, does that mean I loved the book so much that I’ll be buying cases for everyone I know?
No. I can’t say I loved the book for several reasons, but I do give it a strong “star rating.” But there are issues that may or not actually be issues. I don’t know. And that’s kind of the point.

First, much of the book offers peeks into personal hardships of real women living today. I expected that, but seriously, I’d hoped this would be a good book to pass to my daughter. It isn’t. While Schalesky isn’t afraid to tackle difficult subjects, that’s kind of the point. I know details that almost made me put it down.

Here’s the thing. I know ugliness is out there. I’ve experienced it. Despite, or perhaps because of, that, I don’t handle some of that sort of information well. This book dances really close to the line if not over it a time or two.

Second, I need a deep dive into the Bible to really weigh some of what the author says. A few things prompted a check in my spirit, and I didn’t have time to go dig them out. Suffice it to say, there was a lot of assumption of feeling and perspective on the part of these women that we can’t really say is accurate. It’s impossible to turn off our own cultural perspective when examining another.

There were times I felt like past and present expectations created collision courses… the question is if things actually collided or not.

I don’t know.
Third, it’s minor, but it’s there—an agenda. Again, I can’t say this is wrong! But it’s there, and I think it’s important to be aware of. The author has a decided opinion and bias, and you can see that through her vignettes with the Biblical women and her conclusions on different Biblical passages.

I have to repeat myself. I don’t say she’s wrong. That said, without further study, I can’t say I agree either. I’m glad I requested and received a free review copy.  It’ll send me deeper into the Bible to examine her conclusions in the light of Scripture.  Isn’t that what a good book does?  Sends us to THE Good Book?

Still, she’s written an interesting book that looks at modern problems through the lives of Biblical women and shows that sin hasn’t changed much through history. We all need Jesus. One thing Schalesky says is, “I want more than justice; I want healing. I want more than healing; I want wholeness. I want more than wholeness; I want holiness.”

And that shows on every page.

Recommended for hurting women with a desire to dig deep into the Word to see if what this author has shared can be found there. I suspect most will. And that’s pretty awesome in my book.

This book covers stories of women from the bible and how their trials and tribulations were the course and control of God, for his purpose.  Each chapter covers a different women with a different type of problem.  The chapter starts out with a bible verse, explanation, experience and encouragement.  It has 14 different women each with a certain situation and each with a different outcome, however they all have one thing in common, no matter what God loves you and will always be with you no matter what.

I would recommend this to any age and anyone that wants a quick read of encouragement.  You can read from cover to cover or you can just pick up and read where ever you want.  This would be good for a book club or a women's bible study, it is good to read and then discuss to understand how other's opinions relate to the story and how encouraging these women of the bible are to all women.

Those who have been abused will feel impowered by stories of women healed by Jesus.

Eve

Marlo looks at this woman to learn about the source of brokenness in life. She imagines Eve’s dismay at Adam’s betrayal as he “blames” her for his choice to eat the apple. Was she hurt by what Adam said to God? Maybe. Adam was telling the truth.

Jesus quotes Adam (Gen 2:24) in Mark 10:7, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife”. Jesus explains, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 

This suggests Adam told God he was choosing to keep his marriage vows with Eve. Since God clearly teaches consequences ahead of time, we can intuit Adam knew Eve would be sent from the garden because of her actions. I think Adam’s answer is also a reference to his marriage commitment to Eve.

I don’t believe, either, that the Lord created enmity between men and women. But, I disagree when the author implies brokeness between men and women originated in this excerpt. I know God is creating beauty and fixing all misunderstandings <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3331471084">in marriage</a> through His Son’s atonement. We can hope for happiness in marriage as we see Adam honor his pledge with Eve.

Lot’s Daughters and a Concubine

There are three stories in this chapter. One is not the abuse it seems on the surface of a woman but really two women against a man who is their father. The tragedy of the teen girl who was raped is horrible. It crushed her spirit and she ended up taking her life. I cried. No one should be abused!

Abuse is always sad. Teaching our families to respect people will <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/04/to-heal-the-shattering-consequences-of-abuse?id=p4-p5#p4">help us work</a> to avoid more scenarios. We shouldn’t get lost in trying to get retribution. Antagonism would decimate our integrity.

Lot lived in Sodom with his wife, her story is not discussed in this book, and daughters. Lot was portrayed here as “cast out” of Sodom by the Lord because of his wickedness. It seems as if he offered his daughters to be “used” by the evil men of Sodom but that doesn’t fit with the rest of the account in the scriptures.

I suggest we read the full narrative. Before the tale in this book, Abraham entreats the Lord to not destroy Sodom. The Lord agrees if ten righteous people can be found there. He sends angels to Sodom. They come to Lot’s house and warn him to flee from Sodom before it is burned. Lot leaves and then gratefully pleads to God for more help. The Lord says He has accepted Lot. 

God spared Lot and his daughters as he obeyed. Lot was not ‘thrown out’ of Sodom but was “brought out” to save them.

So, with this understanding, of Lot’s reputation of leading a righteous life, we can evaluate the out of character statement he seemingly made in verse 8. Whenever I read inconsistency in the scriptures, I check the translation.

JST, Genesis 19:13 adds the word ‘not’ in several places in this verse. Lot did <u>not</u> offer his daughters to these men but <u>refused</u>. Even when they threatened him with bodily harm, he did not budge. Even when they threatened him with bodily harm, he did not budge. I hope you realize God never condones abuse. It was only through the actions of the angels that Lot and his daughters were saved.

Marlo says the Levite was in the wrong in the story of the Levite and the concubine but I kind of think it was the owner of the home where they were staying. In the King James version of the Bible, it appears that it is the ‘master of the house’. Judges 19:23 specifically adds this phrase. The man mentioned in verse 25 is probably the same person. The Levite seemed devastated when he found his concubine dead because of her torture. This story shows the lasting effects of sin with the result that a whole tribe is destroyed.

Sometimes these stories of abuse color how we perceive people. My experiences change how I perceive everyone. I’m healing personally. Jesus teaches me how to be at peace and whole again. That gift is from Jesus. He wants you to work for this too.

Jesus pays for our sins and feels our anguish so He is able to heal us. He comforts us in our sincere prayers and scripture study. Come to Christ!

Abigail: Endangered

Abigail’s courage, taking food to David, and kindness she shows for her foolish husband, by pleading for his life, leaves me in awe. Nabal probably treated Abigail harshly as Marlo suggests. I had missed this in my reading.

Marlo shares what she thinks biblical submission really means. It is not submitting to harsh treatment and foolish decisions. It is not scolding or trying to force our husbands to be more godly. It is praying for our husbands and personally studying the scriptures daily. There needs to be kindness though for a marriage to survive.

Mary and Martha

Marlo didn’t want to teach the toddlers. I feel for both her, anything seems arduous when I’m exhausted, and with the pastor’s wife, as I’ve been told how challenging it is to find someone to keep an eye on the youngest people. If nobody is willing to teach them, there won’t be a children’s class. Both were so focused on their situation they didn’t think about the other’s needs or intentions. The pastor’s wife probably didn’t realize Marlo would feel guilty.

I’ve found it is tiring when there are a lot of kids in one class. Yet teaching and caring for this group was most fulfilling when I taught my children too. I didn’t feel Jesus was far away. I surmise He was there with the kids as well as with the adults.

I agree we are quick to judge and treat other women harshly. Maybe that is the case when we don’t accept ourselves or see our own worth in God’s eyes. It’s easy to perceive other people’s ill-treatment but it’s harder to see when we misjudge someone.

I was mildly sad by her opinion of Mary and Martha’s situation. They do not seem maltreated to me.

Jesus doesn’t diminish us. The women in the Bible often had to conform to societal expectations not in choosing to be themselves as the Lord interests since it pleases His daughters. Jesus ministered to women with gentleness, dignity, and compassion. 

Perhaps we could believe we are the community of Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to care for each of His people regardless of interests.

Yes, our Heavenly Father made His daughters and sons equals. Devaluing our part in His plan by degrading our gifts damages our dignity!

Let’s appreciate our influential situation that allows us to be blameless in our motherhood. They help us and give us joy! Let’s value our part as Jesus regards us.

Marlo, unintentionally, shares her opinion about our responsibilities in Christ among other people. I’m a believer that the Lord not only wants us to watch out for ourselves but He also asks us to be like Jesus Christ and help others.

Each service in my church is a new opportunity to trust Jesus provides the skills I need. I attain more than new talents, I gain new friends and it is fun! We can live so that God knows we love Him as we serve like His son.

God has a plan for everyone. Resurrection is a gift to all from our Savior, Jesus Christ. His plan is to help us make the most of our natural abilities in this life. This is to bring us happiness! He invites us to receive eternal life, dwell joyfully with God forever (heaven), by following Jesus Christ. We must choose to keep His commandments.

The Bible tells of a pearl of great price. The merchant sold everything he had to buy this pearl. The pearl is like the Kingdom of Heaven. If we interest ourselves in following God’s son, Jesus, we can have this great pearl. We must involve ourselves in His work and choose to become like Jesus Christ.

A Samaritan Woman

I loved Marlo’s observation of Jesus’s interest in the Samaritan woman at the well. It reminds me of the way He spoke to an adulterous woman. He spoke the truth in love. He knew the truth would set these women free. 

In these stories, Jesus shows He is the good shepherd. His love is all consuming as He not only seeks out those who are lost, He loves to forgive them when they repent.

Conclusion

We may not believe the same interpretation of scriptures but we can still listen. I like that Marlo reminds us of our value to God. He showed himself to Mary Magdalena before His disciples after He was risen. Jesus heals and justifies. He is there for us especially when we follow Him.

The hyperlinks in the ebook copy of Women of the Bible Speak Out to the scripture stories is a great feature. This made it easier to study while reading this book.

As Marlo reminds us, Jesus appeared to Mary before His disciples after He was risen. He loves you and will help you in your needs.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

Get ready to learn new things about certain women of the Bible in Women of the Bible Speak Out. I found this to be an interesting read.  I have read about these women.  They are ones that I’ve studied and often thought about.  Women of the Bible are mentioned for a reason and I’ve always been curious to find out why.  What is the reason they were put in?

Now, I can’t say that I agree with everything in this book because I don’t view everything through the same lens the author does, but I do agree these are women we should be studying and looking at from the Bible. 

I do recommend this book as it will help you even at nothing else to open your Bible and search for these women to find out for yourself why they are important and what their stories are. 

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

What a good book for women who have been hurt, abandoned, abused, and otherwise mistreated. You'll not find any easy answers here but you will find encouragement to keep believing God will see you through to healing.

This book showcases the stories of women in the Bible, their hurts and struggles. Their encounters with God right where they were at. The author, while taking a bit of artistic license, retells the stories through the women’s point of view.

This book gives a unique look at the stories of these women and how their experience is relatable to a lot of modern day women. A touching and eye opening read all Christian women need to read. Especially for women who have had to deal with hurt and abuse.