Consider the Women

A Provocative Guide to Three Matriarchs of the Bible

By: Debbie Blue

Narrated by: Sheri Beth Dusek

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A timely and compelling new look at three key women in the biblical narrative.

Among the mostly male-dominated narratives in Scripture, the stories of women can be game-changing. In this book Debbie Blue looks closely at Hagar (mother of Islam), Esther (Jewish heroine), and Mary (Christian matriarch) - and finds in them unexpected and inviting new ways of navigating faith and life.

As she sets out to explore these biblical characters who live and move in places and ways outside of the strict boundaries of tradition, Blue encounters many real life characters who challenge her expectations and renew her hope - a Muslim tattoo artist, a Saudi Arabian sculptor, a rabbi in a Darth Vader costume, Aztec dancers at a feast of Guadalupe, an Islamic feminist scholar, and more.

Listeners who embark with Blue on the sometimes unorthodox, subversive paths of these curious and lively figures will be led to envision more expansive and hopeful possibilities for faith, human connection, and love in our divided, violent world.

©2019 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (P)2019 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

An interesting perspective

This is the first book by Debbie Blue I have read. I found her observations to be very interesting. Sheri Beth Dusek reads the book beautifully.

The Full Spectrum Nature Of God Extolled

God's femine side is being discussed, and at a time in history when power must be reevaluated, by both genders. This book gives real hope for the future of our "very human" race, by looking at several women, both historically and at present. The big questions are confronted head on, making this as intellectual as it is engaging.
What is power? Is spiritually sourced power demonstrated differently, or identically, based on gender? Is God limited or unlimited? Is power the same thing as force, or something different? Can power and love be the same thing? Can God interact differently with each gender, and still be the same God? Can God be recognized in the other, apart from cultural norms? Etc.

Debbie Blue speaks on behalf of many of us as women, who continue to embrace the biblical narrative, but rarely hear the entire narrative explored from male pulpits. We have always known there is more to the story, but we usually just live it ourselves, quietly and privately. Debbie Blue's ability to bring our musings, prayers and relational realities to light, pulls us together collectively in this one work, and does so with much humor and depth. She does not disappoint! I have the audio version and found the reader Sheri Beth Dusek, to be just as engaging and delightful as this author. I will definitely be listening to this book again!

Powerfully empowering women

This is a terrific book for ALL especially women who grew up in patriarchal religions. A terrific opportunity for women and men to learn the truth of women's roles in the Bible.

Book everyone needs to read/listen to

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would jump at the chance to listen to another.
Wow! What an awesome topic. Very well laid out, informative, enlightening. How Mary seems to be represented across so many cultures and countries was something that I’ve noticed and wondered about. This book explained it. I learned a lot about Hagar and Esther. I never knew the pilgrimage to Mecca was based on a woman.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Sheri Beth Dusek ) and I would listen to another in a heartbeat. She did very well engaging me with this book. It’s like listening to the thoughts in the writers head. Her reading was clear and her diction good.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

A different point of view

We never learn enough about the women in the bible.

Sheri did a good job narrating too.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Down grades Jesus

I was very disappointed in this book. Every chance she could put men especially Jesus down she did. I ONLY finished this book so I could give her a review. I am not familiar with the Lutheran domination but if she is an example of what they believe, I am very disappointed. The only way to Heaven is through Jesus. She made a comment about she was not sure if Jesus knew what was going to happen. Jesus is the Son Of God He knows all thinks! Nothing is a surprise to Him. Only read this book if you want to debate a different view of Jesus!!