About the Book

Book: Women of the Bible Speak Out
Author: Marlo Schalesky
Genre: RELIGION/Christian Living/Women’s Interests
Release Date: June 2, 2020

With the recent headlines about gender-based abuse, power, harassment, and assault, it seems as if everyone is searching for answers. Marlo Schalesky provides a biblical response to the tough questions raised by these issues. She explores the stories of twenty women in Scripture, including Eve, Sarah, and Bathsheba—women who were betrayed, abused, endangered, blamed, and shamed. As she leads us in studying the biblical text, she draws our eye to God’s responses to these women and their situations: Eve: The Way It Was Supposed to Be

Sarai: Betrayed

Hagar: – Used

Lot’s Daughters & A Levite’s Concubine: Abused

Two Tamars: Rejected

Hannah: Devalued

Abigail: Endangered

Bathsheba: Sexualized

Esther: Dominated

Mary & Martha: Oppressed

A Samaritan Woman: Shamed

A Sinful Woman: Scorned

A Woman Caught in Adultery: Blamed

Women at the Tomb: Disbelieved

She points out a way to healing, wholeness, and freedom. In the midst of today’s #MeToo conversations, this book will give new voice to the remarkable women of Scripture—and new hope to many, many women today.

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My Review

Props to the author for this game-changing, Biblically based, oh so relevant book. While this book deals with women's issues, I feel lay leaders, pastors, and our Christian men need to read it to understand the reality of these women's issues. The church in general for too long has silenced women crying out for help, justice, encouragement and more, and now is the time to end it. The author takes Biblical women and actually focuses on how the women most likely felt while facing betrayal, being used, being lied to and more just because they were women. The book is not a political movement, it is a Biblical movement. This book is for those who have been hurt, used, abused, and more just because they are a woman to find hope, understanding, compassion, and a fresh start while not demeaning the horrific experiences many have suffered. While I can't say I agree with the theology 100%, this is an absolute must read to at the very least provoke discussion on difficult topics, and to hopefully change the way we look at the reality women face so often and be an agent of Biblical change. The book takes Eve, Sarai, Hagar, the women at the tomb, and more and shows the story from their perspective, how that can relate to women's experiences today, and how the Lord never called for this. At the same time, the author doesn't politicize the Bible, or try to minimize the differences between men and women, but rather celebrates what the Bible explains women were uniquely created to be. Don't miss this absolute must read, and consider using it as a ministry/counseling resource as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are entirely my own.

About the Author

Marlo Schalesky is the founder and president of Wonder Wood Ranch, a California charitable organization that brings hope through horses to hurting kids. She’s had over one thousand articles published in various Christian magazines, is a regular columnist for Power for Living, and is an award-winning author of twelve books. Schalesky has a master’s in theology with an emphasis in biblical studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. She lives with her husband and six children in a log home on California’s central coast.

More from Marlo

1) Why did you write this book?

When I was first asked to consider writing a book about women in the Bible who experienced abuse, oppression, gender-based bias and discrimination, sexualization, and more, I didn’t know how their stories would intersect with mine and the experiences of women today. I thought I would find only horror, but beyond that I found a surprising hope; a God who is always seeking to redeem, to heal, and to make right where mankind has broken and betrayed.

This book is for others like me, for women who have been hurt, whose wounds sometimes seem too deep to heal. I wrote it for those who know that while justice is necessary, it is not enough. We need to see God. We need Him to see us. We need an experience with the God of Scripture whose fierce love is the only thing that can heal those hurts that lie deep within.

2) What do you hope your readers will take away from reading your book?

I hope they experience a renewed hope. And a deeper understanding of the God who loves them. I want readers to know that God sees them, and He sees what they’ve suffered, and He does not look away. He does not make excuses.]

After reading Women of the Bible Speak Out, I hope readers will see that instead of winking at the repression of women, the Bible exposes it. And the Bible reveals a God who not only shares in our suffering but seeks to redeem it.