Obery M. Hendricks Jr.

Very strong in parts, disappointing in a few parts. Good exegesis mixed with questionable work in my opinion. Excellent warning call for evangelicals and a rightful indictment of a large number of people who claim Christ.

This book is very though-provoking. It helps to put the historical Jesus in a framework of life more similar to our lives. I will be reading and rereading this one in my life as well as sharing its importance with others.

I think the author is an excellent writer and admire his engagement with the topic. I disagree with today's form of evangelism where individuals should relate (identity) to the cross and the Jesus story; however I can understand how this is very important for people to do, and necessary for many to overcome the larger injustices of the world.

If I were of a different spiritual / identity persuasion perhaps this book would be viewed as an excellent point of reference, ultimately for me it is show more not. I also picked up on forms of elitism around patriarchy and education which I found ironic.

Excellent research, obviously a large topic to take on. My low rating is out of the position of the book and that for this reader, not persuasive. Should be read by people who want to identify power-politics within the church though. show less

Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts
The author tells the story of "Maryam", the women at the well, from the time she is a little "gibora" girl, running around like a boy and getting herself into trouble for it. The story follows her as her spirit is broken again and again by the men in her life, as her father gives her in marriage, her new husband tries to force his perversion on her, she is cast aside, she finds love only to be abandoned, and so on. show more Finally she meets a good man, and then they encounter Jesus and she is given a message of hope to bring to the other people of her village.






Style Characterisics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.
All throughout Hendricks mixes the Jewishness of the Samaritians with African culture. He also emphasizes the "divine feminine", making this a story of how the men of the village have dominated the women to overcome their own insecurities and how they must rediscover the "womb-spirit" to be healed. Jesus is portrayed as embracing this philosophy as well. The reader can feel for the characters as their pain is vividly portrayed, and the historical/cultural depiction of Samaria are also comes across well.






How Good is it?
Theologically I don't agree, but the author does do a great job with creating real life characters and throws and interesting cultural spin onto an old story. show less