Journal: Reformation and Revival
Volume: RAR 12:4 (Fall 2003)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

---

RAR 12:4 (Fall 2003) p. 177

Book Reviews

When Life And Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes A Difference, Carolyn Custis James, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001, 256 pages, paper, $12.99

You know,” said Carolyn Custis James’ theology professor, there have never been any great women theologians” (18). This “zinger” was metaphorically and redemptively seen as if the professor had held the door open for her to discover theology anew, for men and women. James discovered “all Christian women are theologians.” She came to the growing discovery, not only that she is a theologian, but “it truly does matter whether I’m a good one” (19). “I started,” James says, “in search of great women theologians and ended up discovering I needed to become one myself” (20). What an attention-grabber! James catches the reader, (75% of Christian book readers are female), by addressing a fallen condition in the Church today. James argues: “Little wonder women hold negative views of theology and put as much distance as possible between themselves and the dreaded T-word” (21).

The reviewer highly recommends this book along with a full spectrum of popular theologians and authors in the beginning inside pages of the book. As a reader, however, such recommendations don’t always work for me as much anymore. What worked for me was the pastoral concern many share that James addresses. James uses well, exegetically and metaphorically, Martha’s sister Mary, (Mary of Bethany), as her theologian in Scripture. Part 1 is Mary “at the feet of Jesus.” In Part 2 the reader “will join Mary in the trenches, where theology and life collide and real theologians are made” (25). In Part 3 James explores how a woman’s theology influences others.

RAR 12:4 (Fall 2003) p. 178

The frequently-cited, and often-misused, Luke 10:38–42 text, along with our many misapplications, is brought to the surface. James, as the Puritans would say, “raises” from the text doctrine, objections, and applications to cut false notions out of the minds of the readers. James starts with the context in Bethany before moving to America. Jesus took deliberate steps to include women in theological teaching because they needed it. “In their very near future, two deaths would rock their ordered world and shake them to the core” (40–41). James, of course, is referring to Lazarus and Jesus. Chapter 1 ends with the reason, perhaps, behind her book title. “To be blunt,” James explains, “life is simply too demanding and overwhelming at times to think I can manage without knowing the one who rules the winds and the waves that batter my little vessel” (42).

James addresses the f...

visitor : : uid: ()