Book Review - Influential Women

Wendy Virgo

Every woman is unique and no two are the same. Wendy Virgo explores this fact to the full. She addresses a fascinating selection of Biblical heroines and villains, many of whom discovered God’s best for them while others failed badly due to the pull of seductive but destructive alternatives.

Chapter 1 is riveting – “Two quarrelling Women” - Euodia and Syntyche. Paul wanted them to reconcile and quickly. What was the dispute all about? For Paul, the issue was not the issue. He is interested in the health of the church. Many potential pitfalls were identified. Paul however addresses the dispute, urging the women to “agree”, “be of the same mind”.

What goals should we be pursuing in discipling one another? Not only about ensuring the health and well-being of men, women and families in the church for their own sake: it was also about communicating their lifestyles to others around them – to bring to them a sense of purpose, which was to honour Jesus.

Corinthians 14:33 – 35 and Timothy 2:11 – 14 seem to place restrictions on women. Women however should view these teachings with faith, believing that God’s ways are good. God wants women to operate in security under the covering of an eldership, yet clear about boundaries. In church, if there are no boundaries we can be unsure as to how far we can go beyond the proper limits and cause ourselves, and others harm. Boundaries define a spacious area to be profitably used and enjoyed.

The famous question…..Why should women not be elders? Are we saying that women are not equal to men, that they are inferior? No! Our model is the Triune God. There is a sublime love relationship in the Trinity; there is mutual trust and there is perfect equality. But, there is also an eternal order: it will always be Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in that order. This does not detract from the worth of any of them. Same with men and women – men came first, then women. The role of eldership in the church is for men and women can do almost anything else.

The chapters on The Devious Woman, The Dangerous Woman and Jezebel are very enlightening. Wendy tackles them with such transparency and truth. There can be all sorts of ramifications but Revelation 2 gives us the answer – zero tolerance and repentance. As Wendy says, the best policy is to pray that God will reveal and expose things His way and in His time. Her personal story reveals the grace of God and how her “giant” was slain. As she says, “Jesus must always be our magnificent obsession.”

The final chapter looks at Two Influential Women – Eve (Genesis 3:1 – 2) and Mary (Luke 1:30 – 31) They were both influential but pretty much as opposite as you can get. Eve acted in her own interests; Mary acted in faith, forfeiting her own plans. Eve considered how she might be like God; Mary considered how she might serve God. Eve’s actions brought death and destruction; Mary’s brought life and peace. Eve precipitated a curse; Mary opened a pathway to blessing.

“Influential Women” is an excellent read. It comes Highly recommended.