Review of “Half The Church” by Carolyn Custis James

A few years ago, I went to a Synergy Conference in Florida. Carolyn Custis James founded the conference and shared a time or two that weekend.  So I looked forward to reading and reviewing her newest book, Half The Church: Recapturing God’s Global Vision for Women.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wondered why men and women aren’t treated alike. My family and the church circle I was in for a time were all about male hierarchy, so I tried to stuff myself into that mold. But this question has never gone away: If everyone is “created in God’s image” and everyone has a brain, an imagination and dreams … why isn’t everyone treated equally and allowed to choose whatever path they want in life?

Glass ceilings frustrate me … . whether in home, business, political or religious settings.

So the subject matter in Half The Church: Recapturing God’s Global Vision for Women is near and dear to me. Carolyn Custis James is all about equality … she does not put men or women above the other.

The book’s description says, “Women comprise at least half the world and usually more than half the church. But so often Christian teaching for women either fails to move beyond a discussion of roles or assumes a particular economic situation or stage of life. … Carolyn offers readers a positive, kingdom approach to the changes, challenges, and opportunities facing women throughout the world today.”

Carolyn has a degree in Biblical Studies and is president of WhitbyForum, “a ministry dedicated to addressing the needs which confront both women and men as they endeavor to extend God’s kingdom together in a messy and complicated world.” In the book, she addresses the mistranslation of the words in Genesis where so much of this confusion starts. The word often translated as  helper/helpmate/helpmeet has a different meaning than most know about.

My frustration with glass ceilings is really a problem of the privileged, as Carolyn shows as she looks at issues women struggle with across the board. She addresses not only the restrictions placed on women, but the abuse of women around the world. She challenges everyone to consider how religious views of women create situations where women are not only neglected, but abused.

The book is not exactly a fun read, but it is a necessary one. Carolyn shares heartbreaking stories of girls as young as four being forced into a marriage, often based on religious reasons. Or sold to brothels for a god-forsaken life of prostitution. If Christians want to help in these situations and tell the world about their good news … shouldn’t the good news be equal for women and men?

This book has sparked many thoughts (I will do more posts about this issue next week) and I think you should read it also. I received a free copy from Zondervan to review … and a second copy to give away.

Want to win a FREE copy? Leave your name/email before Monday, April 18th at midnight … I will randomly pick a winner next week.

Half The Church can be purchased at Amazon and other places.