Carolyn Custis James

In Malestrom: Manhood Swept into the Currents of a Changing World, Carolyn Custis James explores the western perspective on manhood, comparing it to a maelstrom where masculinity, patriarchy, power games are linked to violent conflicts in the world, homes and families, churches and politics. She changed maelstrom to malestrom to focus on the dark side of manhood. Is the Bible teaching patriarchy, ruling men over women, and bearing sons as life's goal? Carolyn Custis James goes all the way show more from Genesis 1 to the lives of Jesus Christ, Paul and Matthew to prove the contrary. Imago Dei, all humans (male and female) are image bearers of God. That was God's goal in creating us (Genesis 1, 2) before our downfall from Paradise. It's the higher goal Abraham was looking for. The author has many convincing examples from Abraham, Jacob, Judah, Dinah, Deborah, Jael, Ruth and Boaz in the Old Testament. We men are not inherently or irreversibly violent, relationally incompetent, emotionally constipated, and sexually compulsive. Men have lost sight of who God created them to be as human beings and as men. Widening the discussion beyond Bible study groups, churches up to a global level not only gives us greater respect for the complexities that men and boys are facing, it also means we cannot get away with simplistic solutions men everywhere can't count on that are ultimately hurtful. Malestrom is graceful, biblical founded, seeking answers while generating new questions as well. Questions for further discussion are provided in each chapter. Highly recommended for both female and male readers. show less

The Old Testament Book of Ruth is so much more than a lovely little romance story tucked between two dramatic historical books (Judges and 1 Samuel), and author James does a splendid job of bringing out all the issues, conflicts, and blessings 'hidden' in the story. She likens Naomi to a female Job, and shows how a pagan outsider (Ruth) becomes a true believer in God...and the great-grandmother of King David himself. She draws Boaz in bold colors and points to him as a worthy partner of both show more Ruth and Naomi in expressing the goodness of God...and His claims on the believer's life. I found the book deeply moving at times. -- It was written for women, I suspect, but it is valuable reading for *anyone* who wishes to see more clearly how God works out His redemptive purposes in the life of His people. show less

There are some really good thoughts presented in this book. There is also a lot of filler. The book is slow to get going and slow to conclude and it can feel a bit unfocused at times. I found the middle chapters to be the most compelling.

I did not always agree with the author's philosophies, primarily when it came to typical western worldviews and assumptions about biblical teachings that modern scholars view with skepticism. The book does contain some valuable information and perspectives, show more though. I especially liked the sections where the author discussed the words ezer and hayil and how English Bible translations have influenced the way we view their interpretations. If there had been more of this type of analysis in the book, I would likely have given it a higher rating.

There are a couple of places where a very privileged western worldview peeks through in the author's words in insensitive ways, which didn't sit well with me.

Overall, it was a bit fluffy but offered a fresh perspective on a couple of things here and there that will stick with me as I dive deeper into my own study. show less

Hear their cries and arise!
Five Stars

In her three previous books James laid the Biblical foundation for a better understanding of God's vision for women. In Half the Church, she continues in that vein but also shifts her focus so that her mission has now become twofold.

First, she aims to widen the reader's scope of understanding from a primarily middle class Western worldview to a much broader international view. To do so she takes the reader through snapshots of the lives of individual show more girls and women identifying each by name and describing her circumstances in light of the societal context in which she lives. Although she spares the reader of some details too horrific to repeat, there remains enough information to cause the reader to be sickened by the knowledge that events so tragic happen in epidemic proportions in the 21st century.

Second, James draws from the Biblical foundations spelled out in her previous body of work to bring to the attention of the reader, whether male or female, God's explicit call on women to join alongside her brothers as ezer-warriors. To illustrate how both men and women benefit when the sexes join together to battle the enemy, James retells events that happened in the lives of great ezer-warriors both in scripture and in more recent history. Once the reader has gained that understanding and has heard the cries of the helpless, the author shifts her focus to call "half the church" to arise and go forth into their destinies.

The book is well structured. James's research and writing point readers to the bigger picture of the church's mission. She intentionally does not take sides on troublesome issues debated by Biblical scholars. Rather, she urges readers to dig deeper into God for answers on those passages of scripture. The topic is certainly thought-provoking and worthy of self-reflection. Through her writing, James seeks to awaken the sleeping giantess one reader at a time.

NOTE: I requested and received a copy of this title via NetGalley.com but made no commitment to review it. show less