“Women of the Word” Book Review

Written by Whitney Davis

We have a literacy problem in America. According to Pew Research, almost a quarter of adults in America haven’t read a book, in whole or in part, in the last year including print, electronic, or audio form. More concerning to me, is this problem translates to our biblical literacy problem as well. Lifeway research has found that only 45 percent of those who attend church will read the bible more than once a week, and 20 percent of church-goers claim they never read the Bible.

In her book Women of the Word, Jen Wilkin addresses this issue. She grew up in church her whole life and in her twenties realized she had very little understanding of the Bible. Wilkin states, “There are great stories in the Bible, but it is possible to know Bible stories, yet miss the Bible story.” It’s so important that we know what we believe in Jesus Christ. Our faith is founded on a very specific message, and distorting or modifying it can be very detrimental. 1 Timothy 4:16 states, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” Understanding the Bible, in its entirety, can feel overwhelming for many. Wilkin states, “This is a book for those who are ready to start digging. This is a book for those who are ready to face squarely the mountain of their fragmented understanding of Scripture.” Jen has a brilliant way of communicating with women that makes studying God’s Word practical and beautiful. This book is a fantastic starting point for those who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible.