Journal: Eikon
Volume: EIKON 01:2 (Fall 2019)
Article: "(A)Typical Woman"
Author: Adrien Segal

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Eikon 1:2 (Fall 2019) p. 121

(A)Typical Woman

Reviewed by

Adrien Segal

Adrien Segal occasionally contributes articles to DesiringGod and other blogs. She is a wife, a mother of four, and Grandy to five.

Introduction

(A)Typical Woman, by Abigail Dodds, is written to Christian women who may be struggling with what it means to be a woman in today’s world and/or may be confused and enticed by the messages and expectations for women from voices outside the church. Does it level the playing field to think of ourselves as simply human in the way that men are, “compartmentalizing” femininity as one, not very noteworthy, aspect of our identity? Or is there value in understanding the kinds of things God had in mind when he created women uniquely different from men? What are women missing when they compare themselves to men and find themselves wanting? What are the most important truths that should shape our identity?

Dodds explores these and other questions in a very readable volume, broken into short chapters perfectly structured for small groups, with discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

Eikon 1:2 (Fall 2019) p. 122

Summary

(A)Typical Woman is presented in three parts. Part One establishes our identity in Christ and unfolds how living in fullness as women uniquely reflects Christ. The chapters in this section outline the importance of seeing ourselves as Christian women, what it means to perceive oneself as wholly woman, the essential role of the Bible, and the glory of our unique bodies. In short, some of the foundational truths that should cause us to find joy in being (a)typical.

Part Two establishes the importance of understanding that God intends us to bring our essential womanhood to every role in which we’re placed. This section begins with a chapter about God’s sanctifying transformation, followed by encouraging chapters addressing single women, married women, mothers, working women, and the role of discipling other women.

Part Three opens our eyes to see the unique freedom and joy we have as women in Christ. These chapters explore what it means to be strong and to be “weak,” the strength of dependent women, the unique challenges of afflicted women, and finally the freedom we have when we live in Christ with joy.

Critical Interaction

When I picked up this book, I expected that it would be more confrontational, challenging the voices of society that press women to minimize their femininity and view themselves as equal to men in every aspect. This is not a confrontational book, and while I was a little disappointed at first, I came to feel Dodds is exercising great wisdom as...

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