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65th out of 108 books
—
9 voters
Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You
Celebrated for their courage, vision, hospitality, and spiritual giftedness, it's no wonder women were so important to God's plan revealed in the Old and New Testaments. It wasn't their natural qualities that made these women extraordinary but the power of the one true God whom they worshipped and served.
In "Twelve Extraordinary Women," you'll learn more than fascinating i...more
In "Twelve Extraordinary Women," you'll learn more than fascinating i...more
Hardcover, 206 pages
Published
November 1st 2005
by Nelson Books
(first published 2005)
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An interesting idea... MacArthur seems to esteems meekness, humility, and submission above all other traits. He glossed over the sins of the women he covered, making their mistakes appear to be hicks-up and tried to show that even when someone did not trust God, what she really was doing was showing her ultimate faithfulness to Him by being patient.
It didn't work in a lot of ways, and I found myself wanting to reach for Bad Girls of The Bible (a very excellent read p.s.) and I don't think that...more
It didn't work in a lot of ways, and I found myself wanting to reach for Bad Girls of The Bible (a very excellent read p.s.) and I don't think that...more
MacArthur spends the first chapter using the story of Eve to formulate his theological ideals for women, many of which I do not agree with. Throughout the books it was evident that he saw quietness, submission, and motherhood the highest traits for women to aspire to (all good, biblical traits, but not necessarily the ONLY, or even most important ones), and wove these ideals in and out of his storytelling.
His personal voice was evident. For instance, in the chapter about Anna, he describes her...more
His personal voice was evident. For instance, in the chapter about Anna, he describes her...more
Great book we used in Sunday school. It was a close look at Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Anne, The Samaritan Woman, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, and Lydia. You gotta watch MacArthur on Lordship salvation, but he's a very good story-teller. There was quite a bit of new information for me about women I thought I knew well. Here are some 'new' facts: Abraham and Sarah came from an urban environment, so life on the road was something Sarah had to learn to embrace; Rahab is not a lesson...more
Using this book as a guide for our Wednesday morning Bible study has blessed my soul. To think that God used women who were living in sin,
women who previously rejected Him as well as women of prayer and women who sought his Holy Name as vessels to glorify the name of Jesus! To any woman who is downtrodden or pondering their faith, I recommend this book. To any woman who wants to know more about how God used women in a positive way, I recommend this book. I learned that Eve was a counterweight, n...more
women who previously rejected Him as well as women of prayer and women who sought his Holy Name as vessels to glorify the name of Jesus! To any woman who is downtrodden or pondering their faith, I recommend this book. To any woman who wants to know more about how God used women in a positive way, I recommend this book. I learned that Eve was a counterweight, n...more
My husband Scott gave this book to me for mother's day. He had read John MacArthur's book Twelve Ordinary Men and really enjoyed it and thought I would enjoy this book about Twelve Extraordinary Women in the Bible and he was right! I love the way that John MacArthur sites where in the Bible he is referencing when he writes. My goal is to go through this book again paragraph by paragraph and read the Bible references after reading each chapter. I also think that this would be a wonderful book stu...more
First, I will admit that I did not read the entire book. But, still, when the author is saying that his opinion is fact, that can't be a good start. If it would have been more historical, I could have enjoyed it better. But I don't need to read about this guy's religious views to remind me that I can be an instrument in God's hands.
There wasn't even a chapter on Ruth! Furthermore, in the first chapter on Eve, he basically pounds it into the reader's head that Eve was a big sinner and she messed...more
There wasn't even a chapter on Ruth! Furthermore, in the first chapter on Eve, he basically pounds it into the reader's head that Eve was a big sinner and she messed...more
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I think the author chose some great women for this book. Maybe not the ones I would have chosen, but I was really surprised by some of the chapters. I know to take Bible opinion-as-truth with a grain of salt, but I feel the author did a fantastic job of telling these women's stories. It made me dig into the Bible more than I normally would for info on Eve or Sarah, which are ones most people feel they know a lot about. I appreciate that.
I enjoyed how the author made no attempt to cover up any of...more
I enjoyed how the author made no attempt to cover up any of...more
Dec 17, 2009
junia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone and anyone
Shelves:
fires-of-sancti
I was skeptical at first seeing how I loooooved Twelve Ordinary Men and couldn't see how Twelve Extraordinary Women could possibly compare. To me, TOW was simply a way to appease women by giving them one too.
Firstly, i Love John Macarthur's character studies and writing style. To me, he balances information with dry wit and an invitation for awe. He also seamlessly ties in the Gospel message and how everything points back to Christ and God's glory without pounding the reader over the head with s...more
Firstly, i Love John Macarthur's character studies and writing style. To me, he balances information with dry wit and an invitation for awe. He also seamlessly ties in the Gospel message and how everything points back to Christ and God's glory without pounding the reader over the head with s...more
As a woman, I've recently begun to think carefully about the accounts of women in the Bible. I wanted to understand more of what they went through and what made their lives worth recording. After all, biblical accounts often move quickly through events and our culture doesn't give us the background to understand their day to day lives very well. This book explains much of that without fantasizing too much about what might have gone on. The author acknowledges that though none of these women were...more
I thought John MacArthur did a good job of outlining the stories of the 12 women he chose to highlight in this book. The character studies opened my eyes to viewing these women in ways I had never thought of, or was taught about before. John MacArthur is a no holds bar biblical scholar and teacher/pastor. His work is very thorough and detailed. I'm glad that he chose to focus attention on a group of characters that sometimes don't get as much attention as their male counterparts.
Appalling. The prologue alone features opinions stated as fact, revisionist history, bashing of women in the military, the assertion that women are weak, and the insistence that feminism's message is that 'women aren't extraordinary.' The author's personal belief that women are to be meek, subservient childbearers comes across loud and clear. Any other message is utterly drowned out.
Aug 04, 2008
Maura
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommended to Maura by:
My church, through a Women's Bible Study
I didn't love this book. It took too much license for me. It made many assumptions to make points. I don't like that, especially with Biblical issues. On the other hand, it offered good context for some of the "characters" lives and "stories." I also recognize that I don't give the author enough credit for perhaps being really in-tune with God when writing; perhaps these assumptions are inspired.....I'm not an easily trusting person. A wise, dear friend tells me I may want to pray for a more tea...more
This Bible study is pretty interesting. MacArthur does a good job of putting the lives of these Biblical women in context from both the historical and cultural views. However, I do not agree with all of his assessments because a lot of them are based on speculations that seem too outlandish for me. Also,some of the discussion questions at the back of the book are shallow.
Jan 18, 2011
Kindra
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-motivational,
favorites
Wonderful picture painted of these Biblical women. While the lessons began to overlap towards the end of the study, it was still a very easy read, and very inspiring and informative at the same time. I went through it with girls I was leading in a Bible study, and we all were very satisfied with the study. Could easily meditate on and immitate 1 character a week, as we did.
Great study! I really enjoyed studying the lives of some of the prominent women of the Bible. I also had the workbook and in hindsight wish that we had only used the book and its questions as a frame for discussion. The workbook was heavy in repetitive questions that really did not enhance the book and scripture reading. (And each chapter had 5 days of homework! ick)
This was a book club book--and something by John MacArthur isn't really what I would have chosen on my own. Not because I don't like him, per se, but because I have seen too many people just be blown away by him and I have aversions to that kind of thing. This book was interesting, to be sure. It gave me some things to think about, but there was also a lot of assumptions made based on very little actual Biblical material. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Think the discussion should be interesting...more
I really don't dig books where authors assume certain things and quotes them as truth! There was several spots that left a bad taste in my mouth but this one was the kicker:
First off, I do NOT agree fully with his take on women. The "She Was A Prophetess" section on Anne ticked me off. The whole idea that Anna was a not "real" prophetess but just some lady who served God. I don't think MacArthur fully thinks its ok for a woman to hold an office "The idea that "prophetess" was a technical term fo...more
First off, I do NOT agree fully with his take on women. The "She Was A Prophetess" section on Anne ticked me off. The whole idea that Anna was a not "real" prophetess but just some lady who served God. I don't think MacArthur fully thinks its ok for a woman to hold an office "The idea that "prophetess" was a technical term fo...more
the women in this book are tryly extraordinary but i felt the author wrote too much filling in blanks that weren't biblically there. he tried to read between the lines too much and on so many of these women there just isn't very much stated in the bibe about them to get all the things out of it that he is trying to say.
Mar 22, 2012
Sally
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-non-fiction,
inspirational
Easy to read, broken down into sections within each chapter. This meant I could pick it up and put it down whenever I had a small amount of time. With each woman, MacArthur reminds us that they weren't all that special until it came to their faith. Neither were they perfect. After all, Rahab was a prostitute, Eve ate the apple, and Mary of Magdalene had been demon possessed!
Your favorite (and a couple not-so-favorite) women of the Bible in a whole new light! :D I absolutely *love* this book and John MacArthur's writings too! This book is easy to follow, gives you lot's of food for thought, and even more lessons from God's Word. :)
I read this mostly because I heard the author wrote about Rahab. I was sadly disappointed. He spent two pages on nothing but tearing her apart just because she lied to save the Israelite spies. Which could be compared to lying to save the Jews during the Holocaust....anyway, if you like Rahab or admire her like I do. Don't pick up this book.
I found this book to be excellent in delving into the lives of twelve women that were touched by Jesus each in a unique way. I did the study & have used some of the material to teach some Bible studies.
Another great book for women's small group bible study, there is a study guide available....great questions and insights; good to read along with the Bad Girls of the Bible, when looking for opposits, etc.
I guess my expectations were a little high. I disagreed with some of the definitions he put forth for roles of women and I found the information about these women to be about at the level of what I found in Sunday School growing up.
This is my third time reading and studying this book. Very good and as women we need Biblical books and not fluffy stuff that is out there. I will recommend this book to women of all ages.
Probably one of my favorite John MacArthur books. MacArthur goes through redemptive history and points out moments of grace through the lives of twelve women in the Bible.
This book was pretty good. I gave it a lower rating because of the chapter about Mary. All he did was rant about the Catholic Church and not really tell us much about Mary.
Not really by type of book to read being that it is a religious book. Must read slow, and is a difficult read. Amazing how much women helped take heroic parts in the bible.
publisher's description:
"Celebrated for their courage, vision, hospitality, and spiritual giftedness, it’s no wonder women were so important to God’s plan revealed in the Old and New Testaments. It wasn’t their natural qualities that made these women extraordinary but the power of the one true God whom they worshipped and served.
In Twelve Extraordinary Women, you’ll learn more than fascinating information about these women, you’ll discover-perhaps for the first time-the unmistakable chronology o...more
"Celebrated for their courage, vision, hospitality, and spiritual giftedness, it’s no wonder women were so important to God’s plan revealed in the Old and New Testaments. It wasn’t their natural qualities that made these women extraordinary but the power of the one true God whom they worshipped and served.
In Twelve Extraordinary Women, you’ll learn more than fascinating information about these women, you’ll discover-perhaps for the first time-the unmistakable chronology o...more
A companion to MacArthur's book, Twelve Ordinary Men about Jesus' disciples. I like MacArthur's take on Mary and Martha. I also love the story of Rahab.
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John F. MacArthur, Jr. is a United States Reformed evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur is a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969, and as...more
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“Contrary to popular opinion, the most important characteristic of a godly mother is not her relationship with her children. It is her love for her husband. The love between husband and wife is the real key to a thriving family. A healthy home environment cannot be built exclusively on the parents' love for their children. The properly situated family has marriage at the center; families shouldn't revolve around the children.”
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