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Rating: 
Summary: almost a 5
Review: I devoured this book. It did so much to strengthen my faith and convictions and answer hard questions to which the traditionalist reply fell flat. The information she shared so eloquently and with such clarity set me on the road to freedom from bondage to sexist legalism. Her arguments were logical and convincing. Her treatment of traditionalist arguements were devastating without dishonoring her fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who stand on the other side of the theological divide. She presented a picture of gender equality in marriage that was sublimely beautiful and God-glorifying. Her love for Christ and desire to see others experience all that He has for them echoed through every word. My only complaints, and boy do I wish I didn't have to share these, were that she did not affirm the value of motherhood and homemaker enough and she made a brief comment about how she believes the theory of progressive creationism is more plausible than the new Earth creationism theory. Traditionalists already view her as a heretic and by inserting her thought on creation and by not firmly stating the value of motherhood and fulfillment many women find in that role she may well have confirmed that notion in their minds. Read this book and allow any assumptions you may hold to be challenged.
Rating:
Summary: It was a 5 until the last chapter.
Review: I hate not to give it a five; but the last chapter brought up a second heavily controversial topic, and traditionalists would use that to discredit the book and the author even though the rest of the book is doctrinally solid. More about that shortly. The rest of the book gave a lot of solid defense of core Christian doctrines as it defended women. Groothuis pays a lot of attention to historical and cultural details that we 21st century readers wouldn't have known. She got deep into topics without being too difficult to read. In some cases, she presents multiple theories about difficult Bible passages and lets the readers draw their own conclusions. I loved reading the book; and if I hadn't had to do things like work or sleep, I would have been finished with it much sooner because I didn't want to put it down. Oh yeah, her demolition of hierarchist logic by using the core doctrines of Scripture wasn't bad, either. The big weakness: I loved seeing how Groothuis was able to defend equality in the Creation account and link the beginning of gender hierarchy to the Fall. Unfortunately, in the last chapter she gave props to progressive creationism. Many traditionalists, especially the ones I deal with, are also six-day creationists who see progressive creationism as just another way to undermine the authority of Scripture. All of her arguments up to that last chapter were perfect to use with six-day creationists because they fit exactly with a literal creation framework and did not diminish it in any way. The section mentioning progressive creation could have been left out without interrupting the flow of the book, and would have made the book useful for a much wider audience. The rest of the book is great, but that one section undermines its effectiveness for many of the people who need it most.
Rating: 
Summary: hoists non-egalitarians on their own petard
Review: I have just finished part 1 and it is a very insightful and useful summary of the overall idea that the Bible and especially the new covenant teaches equality across the spectrum of races and ethnicity, wealth and poverty, and gender, with an emphasis on the latter, as most everyone accepts the former 2. It is very enjoyable to see the phrases of non-egalitarians shown to be self-contradictory but still in a respectful way; the author has a sharp wit to cut thru the fog and yet respect the other's viewpoint. I learned from her on that and also on the genderless property of God. I am looking forward to finishing this book.
Rating:
Summary: A call to gender equality
Review: I praise God for Rebecca and the research she has placed into the subject of gender equality. This book has been written not only with great revelation but also with love. She takes the time, not to attack traditionalists views, but to challenge the church on what it has believed about womens place in the Body of Christ. Jesus will not come back for his church until it is without spot or wrinkle. I pray that women and men will read this book, their eyes will be opened and women will be able to take their rightful place in the body of Christ answering God's call upon their lives, not cultures.
Rating:
Summary: Logical and exegetical discussion of women in God's kingdom.
Review: This book presents the most logical and exegetical discussion of the role of women in the kingdom of God. Chapter 2, which defines functional equality, is a must read for anyone who wants to take part in the discussion on the street or in the church. Rebecca Merrill Groothuis is a very thorough Christian, thinker, and writer. Do not dismiss this book as the influence of society, rather give it a thorough reading before coming to a conclusion. Sulia
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