God’s High Calling For Women Book REVIEW

What is God’s high calling for women in the church, in the body of Christ? Is it to be silent all the time? Does the Bible support women teachers/pastors/leaders? Does the Bible put down women or lift them up? 

These are important questions as the modern church is in upheaval on so many topics. Women’s roles is one of them. Surely, Christians don’t want to look like they are treating women poorly. That would be a poor reflection on God and His Word. What is the solution? What is the truth?

God’s High Calling For Women by John MacAruthur gives a look at these pressing questions.

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Who Is John MacArthur?

John MacArthur is an American pastor and bible teacher. He is currently the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California (and has been since 1969).

He has written many books including a study bible and complete commentary on the Bible, and He is also the chancellor emeritus of The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California, and The Master’s Seminary in Los Angeles, California. His radio program Grace To You has been running since 1977. 

If you have never heard of him until this year (2020) it may be because he has recently been in the news for keeping his church open during Covid restrictions.  As far as doctrine, it’s rare to agree with any pastor-teacher all the time and my family has some differences from his beliefs. But, one topic I believe MacArthur is absolutely right on about is biblical gender roles, male and female, traditional marriage. 

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How Did I Find This Book?

I saw this little book on Instagram stories. Another biblical femininity account recommended it. When they mentioned it was only a few dollars I ordered it right away because I know John MacArthur is bold in speaking the truth about men and women’s roles. 

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God’s High Calling For Women Review

Summary

Barely larger than my hands, this 90-page book packs a punch. MacArthur teaches through 1 Timothy 2:9-15 in four quick chapters. Here’s what these verses say:

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Each chapter ends with a review section that asks questions on the content of the chapter and a reflection section for personal meditation and life application.

The style of the book is basically inductive bible study which brings in background information about the book of Timothy and the culture in that time. MacArthur defines Greek words and as well, and observations are moved into life application for modern women in the church today. 

Some of the main topics addressed are: women’s modesty in the church, women in church leadership and teaching (spoiler: it’s a hard NO), godly attitudes such as self-control, submission, “learning in silence”, and can women pray in public? 

Some of the reflection questions are directed toward husbands, so it’s not written just for female readers. It’s important for church leadership to be solid in their biblical knowledge and stance on women’s role in the church.

If you had 2-3 hours to sit and read, you could easily get through the whole thing. Most American pastors these days like to make a hobby out of explaining away scriptures such as these concerning women. They’d rather not offend so they often dismiss these kinds of verses by saying there is some specific cultural information that reveals that it was only instruction for that one church community at that time. Nothing could be further from the truth! 

Best Insight from John MacArthur

This book was a good refresher for me on the topics it covers, as I’ve been learning about God’s design for women for over 10 years now. The one section that floored me was a few pages that describe how the Bible as a whole actually uplifts and values women.

I knew that Jesus went against cultural norms regarding treatment of women, but MacArthur gives many more examples of this in chapter 2 as he explains
1 Timothy 2:11-12 .

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission and I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

This is a favorite verse of folks’ to get bent out of shape about because they are perturbed at the “keep silent” part. But, have you ever focused on the fact that it says “let a woman learn” to a culture that did not put any effort or value into educating women on spiritual matters?

That is just one of many more examples given of how important women are to the One True God. He truly has a high calling for us! 

Pros

• Short, easy to read in little time

• Only a couple bucks!

• Straightforward simple teaching on what the Bible says, not opinions or clever/edgy illustrations 

• Magnifies God’s special purpose for women while preserving the truth of the word in that women are not to be in authority in the church

Cons

• Short. It was so enjoyable to read, I wish there were more pages! It’s okay, I have a few more MacArthur books on similar topics to read yet
  
• This is really a stretch because I have nothing negative to say about the content, but the questions at the end of each chapter do not have space to write answers. Some people like to write in books with questions. I’m not one of those people, but I heard that they exist!

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In Conclusion

There is no better place to learn how to be a godly woman than straight from the Word. How blessed we are to even have the Word, have it in our own language, and the Spirit to help us understand it! 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness

2 Timothy 3:16

 

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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

 

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For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

It’s especially important to have systematic teaching through the whole counsel of God, which most churches don’t do. Don’t worry, if your church doesn’t do this, your husband can (should) teach you, or you can learn with just you and Jesus. This little book is a great guide straight through the scripture itself, nothing added or taken away.  Grab a copy today and let me know what you think!

I’ll wrap up with a story MacArthur tells at the end of the book (you may have seen it on Instagram). May this be a story that can be told of us as well to the generations that come after us!

 

“ Charles Spurgeon’s father once told an American minister how, when he had often been taken away from home trying to build up congregations, there came a conviction that he was neglecting the religious training of his own children. So he decided that he would preach less. On returning home he opened up the door and was surprised to find none of the children around the hall. Ascending the stairs he heard his wife’s voice and knew that she was engaged in prayer. One by one she named the children. When she had finished her petition and instruction, the elder Spurgeon said, “I can go on with my work, the children are well cared for.”

Now that is the role of a godly woman in the church. May God grant us such godly women.”

God’s High Calling For Women, MacArthur, page 87

Happy Reading!
Louise

Are you a book worm like me? You’ll enjoy my most beloved book that teaches through just about every Bible passage on women and being a helpmeet.