Danielle Strickland

The Liberating Truth: How Jesus Empowers Women by Danielle Strickland (a Salvation Army major) is a great introduction to the idea of biblical feminism. Concise but well thought out, it is a quick read, but if you take the time to really think about the issues she brings up, it will be staying with you long after. One of her major points in the first half of the book, is the fact that we should not write off oppression against women as a cultural issue, no more than we would ignore show more cannibalism or child sacrifice in other cultures. She addresses many issues, most of which occur outside of “the West” but many within as well. The second half of the book more directly deals with what the Bible says (and how translations matter on this issue) as well as looking specifically at how Jesus treated women. She also gives some brief bios of historic female pastors whom have been overlooked in the history of evangelists.

I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. show less

The Liberating Truth is a well-written, well-researched and passionate argument for the rights of women to have true equality with men, especially when it comes to serving in the church.
The author, a major in The Salvation Army in Canada, writes from her own personal experiences of working with women in all countries who have been oppressed. Some of the stories she tells are especially heartbreaking.

I'm not a theologian, but I don't necessarily agree with all of Strickland's interpretations show more of the Bible. I am a Southern Baptist, and we don't allow women in the pulpit based on some of the same scripture that she cited but interpreted differently. I'm also what she termed a "complementarian." I believe that men and women are equal in value but designed to serve different roles in the church and in marriage.

Nevertheless, I felt the author's frustration about not being able to preach or pastor in some places, as is her calling, because of some of these very same church views that I have spent the last twenty years building my life around. One book, however, passionate, is not going to change my mind, but it definitely left me with a lot to think about. There are denominations that accept women as pastors, and that's a good thing. Just because I'm uncomfortable with a woman pastor doesn't mean I'm right. It could just be that I'm clinging to what I've been taught because it's what I'm comfortable with.

I do believe she was right about Jesus. He believed in the rights of women. I hesitate to say, as the author did, that Jesus was a feminist. Not because he wasn't but because there are such negative connotations associated with that word today. But the Biblical evidence she presents is compelling. Jesus spent time with women; he talked with women; he taught women the Word at a time and in a culture where this was unheard of. He loved women and still does. Strickland says women are not princesses and what she meant was that we are strong and independent and not meant to be arm candy for some knight in shining armor. But, I believe that I AM a princess, a very empowered one, because Jesus is my King.

The Liberating Truth will make you rethink the roles of women. It will make you angry that women are still oppressed, even in the church. Strickland sometimes lets her frustrations override her arguments, but for the most part she uses clear evidence, biblical citations, experience, and undeniable Truth to make her points. And she does it well. As I said, she left me with a lot to think about. show less

I have a confession to make: I am a fan of the Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead. After a tentative start watching the first season, I gave up at the beginning of the second. But I came back to it, and from then on I was hooked. There are so many layers to it. It raises many philosophical, theological and sociological issues. So, I was delighted to find this book that deals with The Walking Dead and the gospel. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

There is so much depth to The Walking Dead. show more It raises deep questions such as:

What is the purpose of forgiveness and reconciliation?
What is the right use of power?
What happens when power is abused?
What is the role of revenge?
Is there a place for force and violence?
What does it mean to be human?
Are zombies human? Can zombies exist?
What is the role of crime and punishment in a (seemingly) lawless society?
Can there be a lawless society and still be society?
What is family? Is it more than blood and kinship?
What is the role of religious belief?
Is there a role for the church?

Sadly, this book only scrapes the surface. Scenes from The Walking Dead are used only as a springboard to develop a moral or theological parallel, with some personal anecdotes added. Sadly, there is no attempt to get beyond the surface. That is not to say there are not some good points in the book (not least the cover design!), only that it is a missed opportunity to explore deeper the meanings in and behind the TV series. Rob Joustra and Alissa Wilkinson’s How to Survive the Apocalypse: Zombies, Cylons, Faith, and Politics at the End of the World is a better example of what is a Christian ‘take’ on The Walking Dead.


For someone who likes The Walking Dead and has an interest in finding out something about the Christian faith then this might be the book to get for them. However, there are so many spoilers in the book — so make sure they have seen at least the first five seasons before you give it to them, or they may not thank you! show less

The Liberating Truth
How Jesus Empowers Women

By Danielle Strickland

I was thrilled when I received this book from Library Thing.
First of all I consider myself a Fundamentalist and an Evangelical. I say that because I also believe my Pastor is fantastic and I’m thrilled that SHE is my Pastor.
I loved the book. Ms Strickland’s writing style is practical and appreciated I followed her instruction and feel more informed in reading her book. An example I enjoyed:
“In our current culture, the show more sex industry has hijacked the name of “womens’ rights.” They heap argument upon argument to bolster the myth that violence and sexual abuse, which are the harsh realities at the heart of prostitution, are actually liberating. That’s sick.” (pg 42)
Yeah, I can follow that no problem.
I believe women are fit for the pulpit and leadership and that gender dictated churches are not fundamentally correct and hamper the evangelical purpose of spreading the gospel. I believe that whole heartedly and I still believe that after reading this book.
But Ms. Strickland and I did lengthen in thought a few times.
Until page 89 Ms Strickland and I were on the same wave length, I was a student at her feet and pounded the proverbial wooden table top to applaud her teaching and her gumption. And then it happened.
Translation nit picking.
Oh how I hate the translation nit picking. Why? Because it only feeds the fire of those men who want to keep women under their thumbs. Going on the offensive with thick skulls is admitting defeat. Let’s face it, if they read the book of Esther and think, nice story, it’s time to shake the dust from our shoes. If they read in the gospel that on resurrection morning our Savior had to tell a WOMAN to go and tell His brothers to meet Him…well then I don’t think translations will get through.
Now I understand we have to stand up and say enough is enough. We have to instill in our daughters that they are not less than a male they are equal, with equal gifts and equal responsibilities.
Any way back to page 89. The Author sites a story written by Don Richardson in 2010. It seems the translators of the King James Bible watered down a translation - the word “andrapodisters,” meaning slave trader to kidnappers. Slave traders were part of a list that were “among those whom God’s law reproves.” Now the story goes on to say that if the word “slave trader,” had really been placed in the Bible rather than “kidnappers,” perhaps all the suffering of the European slave trade and the American Civil War may have been thwarted.
Yeah, just like those very straight 10 commandments stopping the atrocities of the world. I particularly like the one about, adultery or false witness, and murder, that’s a good one too. God made it perfectly clear regarding His law. Jesus had to come and die for us anyway. So really, that is just plain and simple wishful thinking. It is really like believing that the US Civil War really wasn’t about slavery but about state’s rights.
Now the book is excellent past this point but unfortunately I was less trusting. So when the usual scriptures come about “women should remain silent in the church,” I start to cringe. Fine, women, be silent but all you Pastor, Prophets, Evangelists, Apostles, Teachers and Singers, if you remain silent then may the rocks truly rise up and sing praises to God. Women, Men, Young, Old, does not matter, if God touches start talking.
I know the frustration. I have friends (no really I have a few) who are liberated, speak in tongues and their husbands adore them. I have a few others who look at their husbands as if asking permission to speak – I want to SCREAM when that happens but screaming will only drive those women away from me. I tell you what, I have more women talking to me about submission than men. We are our own worst enemy.
Frankly when I’m accosted (and I do mean accosted) by fellow “Christians,” regarding my stand on women’s rights to teach and pastor I simply ask those accusing me of non-fundamental thinking if they can tell me how God directs their life? I believe my Savior washed the feet of His disciples. I believe when Peter refused to allow Him to wash his feet, thinking that as Lord of the Universe Jesus had no business washing dirty feet. I believe that Peter was a tough nut to crack but when Christ said then that he was not worthy of the Kingdom of God, then I believe that Peter said, then Lord, wash all of me. We all need to be washed and washed again with a little humility.
Thanks Ms Strickland for your book, it is truly needed and every woman in the world needs to read it. We need to be reminded who we are and our possibilities in Christ. Thank you again. show less