The Contemporary Woman

This is an update of Michelle Guiness' book. The blurb tells us' "At a time when the status of women is still being debated and challenged, how can women play a leading role in society, the workplace and the church? Michele Guinness has been there and done that - not without opposition and not without compromise. In this all-embracing, honest reflection on womanhood Michele uses her own upbringing in the Jewish community to re-examine the views and counterviews on the role of women throughout the Christian tradition and culture, drawing inspiration from scripture, history and personal experience.

This is a well written book that deals in a reasonable depth using real life examples. Michelle Guinness doesn't disappoint the reader. The book is structured in three parts, The Hebrew Woman, The Christ Following Woman and The Contemporary Woman. We read how the role, status and view of women in the Christian church has changed over the millennia. In the times of Jesus women were expected to run the home and only men sat at the feet of rabbis to learn about God. Yet Jesus treated them as equals. Many of the sermons and teachings that we have grown up with have been almost dismissive of women and their roles in society. This book goes someway to reclaiming our roles as women of God and living a life worthy of living for Jesus.