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(A)Typical Woman: Free, Whole, and Called in Christ
What does it mean to be created as a woman? The mainstream culture offers many answers, emphasizing outward beauty, independence, and self-actualization. But rather than confusing cultural norms, Christian women have something more secure to center their womanhood on: Jesus Christ. Seeking to rediscover the full reality of what it means to be female, this book looks to God's Word to help readers avoid the temptation to belittle womanhood on one hand or glorify it on the other. With chapters addressing womanhood in singleness, marriage, working, mothering, suffering, discipling, and more, this book will help Christian women live out their callings as free, authentic, indispensable members of Christ's mission and work.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
184 people are currently reading
1987 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Dodds
6 books74 followersAbigail Dodds (BA, Bethel University) is a wife and mother of five children. She writes and teaches Bible studies for the women at Bethlehem Baptist Church, where her husband, Tom, serves as an elder. She contributes to desiringGod.org and blogs at her personal site, hopeandstay.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
February 14, 2019
As a young girl, I thought the board game Life laid out the basic script for adult life. The path allowed me to drive my little plastic car from college to a career, then on to marriage and eventually to home ownership in just that orderly sequence. In actuality, that is pretty much the script my life followed. It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I may have been just as influenced by a board game as I was by the Bible when it came to envisioning what adult life would look like. If there is such a thing as a “typical” Christian woman, it’s quite possible that my life would fit that mold.
In (A)Typical Woman, Abigail Dodds invites each woman to see the unique opportunities in her present life circumstance. Like many Christian women, she has been frustrated by the “compartmentalizing of womanhood” that either idealizes femininity or belittles women. Instead, she wants women to see that “The world is in need of us. It needs women who understand the privilege and glory of being a woman. It needs women who are at peace in the body God has given them, at peace with the paradoxical strengths and weaknesses, who don’t demean what they were created as, or, by extension, the Creator.”
Dodds reminds us that there is no “typical” woman to be our exemplar. Instead, we must read about women in Scripture as “varied examples of God-fearing women through the ages.” However, after laying out this helpful thesis (in chapter 6) and claiming that there is no such thing as a “typical” woman, Dodds addresses women using the typical categories. There are chapters for married women, single women, working women, mothering, and discipling women. In these chapters, Dodds ends up painting with a rather broad brush, especially in chapters which cover areas outside of her personal experience. Her writing is strongest when she shares wisdom from her own experiences. There are probably women who would be better qualified to speak on what it feels like to be "atypical" in some of these categories.
Readers interested in a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian woman can find many helpful books on the topic. For a thorough examination of how the scriptures talk about women, read Is the Bible Good for Women? by Wendy Alsup, who courageously goes where no book on women has gone before: through every single passage that addresses women. With great love for the word of God and great care for women, Alsup gently unpacks even the most difficult scriptures with grace. For an inspiring vision of women being made in the image of God, read Made for More by Hannah Anderson who ignores the typical categories “because,” as Anderson says, “we ourselves are more than the roles we play in this present world. We are large, deep, eternal beings, and only something larger and deeper and more eternal will satisfy the questions in our souls.”
In (A)Typical Woman, Abigail Dodds invites each woman to see the unique opportunities in her present life circumstance. Like many Christian women, she has been frustrated by the “compartmentalizing of womanhood” that either idealizes femininity or belittles women. Instead, she wants women to see that “The world is in need of us. It needs women who understand the privilege and glory of being a woman. It needs women who are at peace in the body God has given them, at peace with the paradoxical strengths and weaknesses, who don’t demean what they were created as, or, by extension, the Creator.”
Dodds reminds us that there is no “typical” woman to be our exemplar. Instead, we must read about women in Scripture as “varied examples of God-fearing women through the ages.” However, after laying out this helpful thesis (in chapter 6) and claiming that there is no such thing as a “typical” woman, Dodds addresses women using the typical categories. There are chapters for married women, single women, working women, mothering, and discipling women. In these chapters, Dodds ends up painting with a rather broad brush, especially in chapters which cover areas outside of her personal experience. Her writing is strongest when she shares wisdom from her own experiences. There are probably women who would be better qualified to speak on what it feels like to be "atypical" in some of these categories.
Readers interested in a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian woman can find many helpful books on the topic. For a thorough examination of how the scriptures talk about women, read Is the Bible Good for Women? by Wendy Alsup, who courageously goes where no book on women has gone before: through every single passage that addresses women. With great love for the word of God and great care for women, Alsup gently unpacks even the most difficult scriptures with grace. For an inspiring vision of women being made in the image of God, read Made for More by Hannah Anderson who ignores the typical categories “because,” as Anderson says, “we ourselves are more than the roles we play in this present world. We are large, deep, eternal beings, and only something larger and deeper and more eternal will satisfy the questions in our souls.”
February 5, 2019
I really believe every Christian woman will benefit from reading (A)Typical Woman. In it, Abigail Dodds gently corrects false beliefs about womanhood, encouraging us to embrace God’s true design for Christian women by centering our entire person around Christ. Her words refreshed and encouraged me not only to embrace but to actually enjoy my design as a woman of God. Highly recommend!
July 20, 2022
Where do I even begin? My expectations were high when I started reading this book. I expected it to cure my reality which is so twisted by its lack of normality. I expected to become typical. My expectations were so insurmountable that it was inevitable that I would leave disappointed. The characters were so conceptual to me that I could not understand or relate to them, and thus I was unable to become invested in this book. Likewise, the agenda behind this story simply didn’t resonate with me. I left feeling like I didn’t learn anything. I feel like this book just isn’t for me. The only reason I am giving this book the privilege of 2 stars is because it was a highly thought-provoking book. I never could figure out if the title was A Typical Woman, or Atypical Woman. However, due to how unrelatable the content of this book was, I would not recommend reading anything other than the title.
UPDATE: I just found out this book is supposed to be for women 🤦♂️ my bad. I take back what I initially said, this is super relatable. I mean, I assume it is. 5 stars.
UPDATE: I just found out this book is supposed to be for women 🤦♂️ my bad. I take back what I initially said, this is super relatable. I mean, I assume it is. 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2023
3.5 stars
A bit rambling and vague at times—I was hopeful she would be more straightforward and not make so many caveats for her bolder statements—although there are moments of clarity throughout the book. Also, surprisingly not as practical as I was hoping. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter are good, but I’d much rather have had examples of practical application for the principles she’s claiming.
That being said, I agree with most everything she writes in this book, and the last few chapters were by far the most helpful.
My favorite quote from the book;
“A pregnant woman is one of the most defenseless humans on the face of the earth. She can barely rise to her feet after sinking into a comfy couch. Yet who but the weaker vessel, called woman, can grow another human inside her body?
Think of the massive strength and endurance it takes to give birth, yet it is simultaneously a vulnerable type of vigor. A woman in a marathon labor of countless hours afterward sits up in bed, even as her body begins to hemorrhage, trying to feed and care for another person. Why did God do it this way? So we would know that, like a mother with her nursing babe, he never forgets us, even as the blood drained out of his own Son on our behalf. It’s a fragile, mind-bogglingly valiant design pointing to bigger things to be honored and protected — not belittled by comparison with a man, but accurately understood by it.”
A bit rambling and vague at times—I was hopeful she would be more straightforward and not make so many caveats for her bolder statements—although there are moments of clarity throughout the book. Also, surprisingly not as practical as I was hoping. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter are good, but I’d much rather have had examples of practical application for the principles she’s claiming.
That being said, I agree with most everything she writes in this book, and the last few chapters were by far the most helpful.
My favorite quote from the book;
“A pregnant woman is one of the most defenseless humans on the face of the earth. She can barely rise to her feet after sinking into a comfy couch. Yet who but the weaker vessel, called woman, can grow another human inside her body?
Think of the massive strength and endurance it takes to give birth, yet it is simultaneously a vulnerable type of vigor. A woman in a marathon labor of countless hours afterward sits up in bed, even as her body begins to hemorrhage, trying to feed and care for another person. Why did God do it this way? So we would know that, like a mother with her nursing babe, he never forgets us, even as the blood drained out of his own Son on our behalf. It’s a fragile, mind-bogglingly valiant design pointing to bigger things to be honored and protected — not belittled by comparison with a man, but accurately understood by it.”
January 23, 2019
*This is an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.*
Best book I have read on Biblical womanhood. Abigail Dobbs asks some challenging questions. This book is filled with Biblical truths about womanhood. I felt like the author was writing as a friend looking in and giving me the push and hope that I need.
"Let’s not relegate womanhood to the edges of life and use the fact of our humanness to try to rise above it. Rather, let’s reclaim and enjoy what we are and all that flows from it in Christ: holiness, meekness, a backbone of steel, fearlessness, love, giving life, strength, weakness, obedience, and much more. All of this comes from what we are: Christian women."
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Part One: Women Through and Through—In Christ
1. The Meaning of Words: Christian and Woman
2. The End Is the Beginning
3. Wholly Women
4. Bible Women
5. Embodied Women
6. (A)typical Women
Part Two: Women in All We Do—In Christ
7. Transforming Women
8. Single Women
9. Married Women
10. Mothering Women
11.Working Women
12. Discipling Women
Part Three: Fearless and Free Women—In Christ
13. Strong and Weak Women
14. Dependent Women
15.Afflicted Women
16. Free Women
17. The Infinite Christ in Finite Women
Best book I have read on Biblical womanhood. Abigail Dobbs asks some challenging questions. This book is filled with Biblical truths about womanhood. I felt like the author was writing as a friend looking in and giving me the push and hope that I need.
"Let’s not relegate womanhood to the edges of life and use the fact of our humanness to try to rise above it. Rather, let’s reclaim and enjoy what we are and all that flows from it in Christ: holiness, meekness, a backbone of steel, fearlessness, love, giving life, strength, weakness, obedience, and much more. All of this comes from what we are: Christian women."
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Part One: Women Through and Through—In Christ
1. The Meaning of Words: Christian and Woman
2. The End Is the Beginning
3. Wholly Women
4. Bible Women
5. Embodied Women
6. (A)typical Women
Part Two: Women in All We Do—In Christ
7. Transforming Women
8. Single Women
9. Married Women
10. Mothering Women
11.Working Women
12. Discipling Women
Part Three: Fearless and Free Women—In Christ
13. Strong and Weak Women
14. Dependent Women
15.Afflicted Women
16. Free Women
17. The Infinite Christ in Finite Women
June 24, 2020
Another book that I expected to enjoy but was 100 times better than I anticipated. I am so grateful for Mrs. Dodds and her writing. She writes with grace and kindness, but with firm strength that unapologetically accepts what the Word of God actually says, and encourages other women to do the same.
July 30, 2025
I have very mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, chapter 7 was fantastic.
On the other hand, I feel like the first half of the book could have been summarized in just chapter 7 by itself, with a bit of 9.
The end of this book is well worth the read. There is some very good advise for living fruitfully in the chapter on single women. However, I found myself squinting at things she said at least once per chapter, because there was something I did not think lined up with Scripture or just didn't play out logically almost every chapter.
On the whole, a read I would recommend. On the narrow: I wish this book had been condensed to about half its length, because conciseness was needed here, and wasn't fully present.
She has many good things to say. Worth the read. Also, I want there to be a shorter, more concise version.
On the other hand, I feel like the first half of the book could have been summarized in just chapter 7 by itself, with a bit of 9.
The end of this book is well worth the read. There is some very good advise for living fruitfully in the chapter on single women. However, I found myself squinting at things she said at least once per chapter, because there was something I did not think lined up with Scripture or just didn't play out logically almost every chapter.
On the whole, a read I would recommend. On the narrow: I wish this book had been condensed to about half its length, because conciseness was needed here, and wasn't fully present.
She has many good things to say. Worth the read. Also, I want there to be a shorter, more concise version.
August 1, 2022
this book is absolutely amazing! the author wrote it in a relaxed sort of way that made you feel like you were just having a nice long conversation with her. she covered every subject under the sun you could be curious about as a woman, and she did it with eloquence. we read this for a youth Bible study over the summer, and the discussion questions she included were really good and led to great conversations in our study. 5/5 stars
June 7, 2022
“Many of us want someone to tell us exactly what to do to be a Christian woman; we want a universal and exhaustive template and checklist, but it doesn’t exist. The nature of being Christian women isn’t based on what we do but on who we are - who he’s made us.”
started reading with the worry that I would find exactly what Dodds speaks against here: an unattainable list of do’s and don’ts. instead she devotes the majority of the book to expounding on the work of Christ and the freedom we are offered in the gospel - only then does she get into the particularities of how this freedom must saturate the whole life of the Christian woman. beautifully written, deeply convicting, and a definite reread in the future. big thumbs up!
started reading with the worry that I would find exactly what Dodds speaks against here: an unattainable list of do’s and don’ts. instead she devotes the majority of the book to expounding on the work of Christ and the freedom we are offered in the gospel - only then does she get into the particularities of how this freedom must saturate the whole life of the Christian woman. beautifully written, deeply convicting, and a definite reread in the future. big thumbs up!
July 17, 2019
This was an encouraging word for woman concerning our identity and union in Christ and its priority in how we view womanhood. What woman would not benefit? The theology was solid and refreshingly very Christ-centered. The length of the chapters also made for a very quick read! I definitely came away from the book with a thankfulness and renewed confidence in who He made me to be and what I am to do with my freedom in Him.
June 21, 2022
I think I can safely say this is the best book on biblical womanhood that I’ve read. Abigail is faithful to scripture and recalibrates us to what it does say and doesn’t say in relation to gender, roles, and basic identity.
Beneficial for those on both ends of the spectrum- ones who are too fixated on traditional ideas of femininity and disproportionally concerned about the “women passages” in scripture as well as those tempted to disregard the Bible’s teaching on it altogether. Grateful to have found this resource.
Beneficial for those on both ends of the spectrum- ones who are too fixated on traditional ideas of femininity and disproportionally concerned about the “women passages” in scripture as well as those tempted to disregard the Bible’s teaching on it altogether. Grateful to have found this resource.
July 9, 2020
The philosophy and perspective of what a Christian woman should be was dead on in this book. The author was so balanced and I love her straightforwardness. I wish she would have gone farther with some of her thoughts and she didn’t give many practical applications which is what I really like to hear. Theory and spiritual truth is great but I want everyday examples of what that looks like with every principle given. -my main criticism
I think every Christian woman, married or single, should read this. I listened to it twice, and it would be great to have a hard copy to highlight.
In Christ I am SO much more than just a woman! 💜
I think every Christian woman, married or single, should read this. I listened to it twice, and it would be great to have a hard copy to highlight.
In Christ I am SO much more than just a woman! 💜
August 1, 2025
"We are not trying to be something good that's different from the goodness and virtue we find in God. We are aiming to live what we are- Christians. We are women clothed in Christ's garments of holiness."
I was struggling at first to understand what the author's goal was with this book, until I realized that I was trying to think inside all of the boxes that she refused to be constrained by. Being a woman is not something I can change, be more of, or be less of. It is simply what I am, so no matter what I do I am doing it in a womanly way, not because I'm following anyone's standards but simply because God in His wisdom was delighted to make me a woman. Having grown up being stuffed into molds that did a lot of damage and living in a culture that tells me I must be all that a woman is AND all that a man is, Dodds focus on simply being a child of God who is also a woman was a breath of fresh air. In Christ, I am free to be a woman. Praise God!
I was struggling at first to understand what the author's goal was with this book, until I realized that I was trying to think inside all of the boxes that she refused to be constrained by. Being a woman is not something I can change, be more of, or be less of. It is simply what I am, so no matter what I do I am doing it in a womanly way, not because I'm following anyone's standards but simply because God in His wisdom was delighted to make me a woman. Having grown up being stuffed into molds that did a lot of damage and living in a culture that tells me I must be all that a woman is AND all that a man is, Dodds focus on simply being a child of God who is also a woman was a breath of fresh air. In Christ, I am free to be a woman. Praise God!
May 7, 2023
This book had several gems of wisdom and encouragement that I was edified by.
I have never heard of this author and am not sure what her background is, so I want to take the book at face value!
I believe the author leaned more into the gifts and uniqueness of Christian women and encouraged her readers to consider how we can cultivate those virtues in various stages of life. However, there was only a small amount of discussion on duty and how we are to conform ourselves to the scriptures where it is uncomfortable.
In one of the beginning chapters, Abigail encourages her readers not to just apply the passages of scripture that are FOR women but to apply the whole of scripture to our life. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement on its own! However, she neglects to address that so many women today (myself included) are tempted to ignore the explicit passages of scripture that are specifically FOR US because we want to hide in our sin.
Biggest yikes for me is that she applauds the first-wave feminists for fighting for women's rights to vote.
Overall, I'm glad I gave it a read, but I don't see myself recommending it.
I have never heard of this author and am not sure what her background is, so I want to take the book at face value!
I believe the author leaned more into the gifts and uniqueness of Christian women and encouraged her readers to consider how we can cultivate those virtues in various stages of life. However, there was only a small amount of discussion on duty and how we are to conform ourselves to the scriptures where it is uncomfortable.
In one of the beginning chapters, Abigail encourages her readers not to just apply the passages of scripture that are FOR women but to apply the whole of scripture to our life. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement on its own! However, she neglects to address that so many women today (myself included) are tempted to ignore the explicit passages of scripture that are specifically FOR US because we want to hide in our sin.
Biggest yikes for me is that she applauds the first-wave feminists for fighting for women's rights to vote.
Overall, I'm glad I gave it a read, but I don't see myself recommending it.
January 30, 2025
I’m hoping to read more books on the topic of biblical womanhood this year and this was a solid one to kickoff with. A lot of books out there about Christian womanhood can feel fluffy or caricatured, and this was not. It was balanced and helpful, and one that I could certainly stick in the hands of any woman wanting to learn more about what it looks like to follow God as a woman.
June 4, 2025
This was a good overview of Biblical womanhood. There were many points that really hit my heart and challenged my thinking, in a good and encouraging way. At times, I felt that the points were a bit vague or poetic and hard to understand or know how to relate it to a real life situation, but those were few and far between.
I listened to it as an audiobook and would like to purchase it and re-read it to see if that helps me better comprehend some of the areas that I found vague or confusing. Overall, I enjoyed it, I learned from it, I was encouraged and challenged by it! I’d recommend it as a great book for Christian women to better understand Biblical womanhood.
I listened to it as an audiobook and would like to purchase it and re-read it to see if that helps me better comprehend some of the areas that I found vague or confusing. Overall, I enjoyed it, I learned from it, I was encouraged and challenged by it! I’d recommend it as a great book for Christian women to better understand Biblical womanhood.
June 28, 2020
Excellent. Solid in every way. Highly recommended.
July 30, 2022
A very good book! We went through this book for a summer Bible study and I learned a lot from it!!
July 10, 2023
⭐️3.5
Every chapter has some really excellent nuggets of truth. My favorite take-away was from Chapter 8 & the admonishment she gives to married women about how much learning we have to do from single women.
The one critique I have is that there was too much effort spent on qualifying the nuances of womanhood, but I’m willing to admit that’s a personal preference.
Overall, I’d recommend
Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle
to someone first. But this would be a good follow-up!
Every chapter has some really excellent nuggets of truth. My favorite take-away was from Chapter 8 & the admonishment she gives to married women about how much learning we have to do from single women.
The one critique I have is that there was too much effort spent on qualifying the nuances of womanhood, but I’m willing to admit that’s a personal preference.
Overall, I’d recommend
Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle
to someone first. But this would be a good follow-up!
September 8, 2020
I have read many Christian living books for women and this book outweighs them all. I wouldn't even put it in the category "Christian living" as it is more theological than anything. Dodds does a great job writing for the average woman reader who doesn't have loads of time to read but she goes into depth that had me wanting to read slowly and think through each chapter. She offered zero practical advice, which meant zero legalism (refreshing). Dodds writes poignantly and packs every sentence loads with truth. I would recommend this book for every Christian, men and women alike. I finished this book without feelings of condemnation (not being or doing enough) and more confident in the woman God called me to be, and with a few tears in my eyes.
August 12, 2021
I hesitate giving it 5 stars since I listened to it and didn’t give full attention to every section, but I would like to get an actual copy and go through it again. It’s clear to see her love for Christ and the Bible, and I benefited from the wisdom she shared.
June 9, 2023
I’m finding it difficult to decide on a star rating for this one. While I enjoyed and agreed with lot of it, there were a few things I disagreed with and one quote I found especially concerning.
In chapter 3, Abigail writes,
“It could also lead to thinking of womanhood as something that must look different from manhood. But we can be women and act the same as men do in the classroom, or the office, or the home. And when we do that, we are not transcending our womanhood, nor are we being particularly masculine, we’re being women. God made women just that robust.”
For context, she is warning against legalism in how women should act in spaces that men also hold such as teaching in a classroom or working in an office. However, her wording is very confusing.
It simply is true that womanhood must look different than manhood, with no qualifiers. Women cannot act the same as men do. I do think that this is probably a matter of poorly chosen words, but for this alone I’d hesitate to recommend it to a woman unless I was going to be reading it alongside them.
It’s not my favorite book on biblical womanhood and it’s not one to look to for practical application, but it is certainly helpful and encouraging. I particularly enjoyed the last few chapters.
Also, not very important, but I very much disliked the narrator for the audiobook. I would’ve much preferred to read a hard copy of this one.
In chapter 3, Abigail writes,
“It could also lead to thinking of womanhood as something that must look different from manhood. But we can be women and act the same as men do in the classroom, or the office, or the home. And when we do that, we are not transcending our womanhood, nor are we being particularly masculine, we’re being women. God made women just that robust.”
For context, she is warning against legalism in how women should act in spaces that men also hold such as teaching in a classroom or working in an office. However, her wording is very confusing.
It simply is true that womanhood must look different than manhood, with no qualifiers. Women cannot act the same as men do. I do think that this is probably a matter of poorly chosen words, but for this alone I’d hesitate to recommend it to a woman unless I was going to be reading it alongside them.
It’s not my favorite book on biblical womanhood and it’s not one to look to for practical application, but it is certainly helpful and encouraging. I particularly enjoyed the last few chapters.
Also, not very important, but I very much disliked the narrator for the audiobook. I would’ve much preferred to read a hard copy of this one.
October 28, 2023
“... [this book is] for the rest of us who need a refresher course that blows gospel air into our stale hearts, reminding us what life in Christ as a woman looks like.”
I truly believe all Christian women from all walks of life should read this book. These pages challenged, rebuked, equipped, and encouraged my walk with God, and I pray it will continue to do so in other women’s lives!
I truly believe all Christian women from all walks of life should read this book. These pages challenged, rebuked, equipped, and encouraged my walk with God, and I pray it will continue to do so in other women’s lives!
January 25, 2022
O livro é dinâmico e cita várias vezes Elizabeth Elliot, como li recentemente as obras dela. Foi interessante.
December 31, 2020
Overall, this is an encouraging, simple introduction to living as a woman in Christ. With a solid gospel foundation and a thoroughly christocentric approach, I’m walking away from the book grateful for the distinct ways women are called to live in Christ. For these reasons, I would recommend this book as a biblical introduction to the subject.
However, while the book had many strengths, there were also some weaknesses I was unable to ignore. Namely, I think the calling of making disciples was sold short. (After all, it was the shortest chapter of the book).
The author tended to reference discipleship in a way that seemed second best behind the calling of motherhood and raising children (or perhaps a lesser version of parenting if you’re unable to have children of your own).
In a book about the identity of women in Christ, I think this should have been more central to all of the various aspects of identity the author addressed.
I believe there’s a huge need in the church for women to be treated first as disciples of Christ, who are therefore called to disciplemaking in whatever form. All women should be exhorted to disciple, to imitate Christ, to pursue holiness—without the notion of, “Single women, this is for you too,” or limiting a mother’s role to *just* mothering and managing a household.
An example from the book: “Whether [God] chooses to do it by giving us children whom we nurture in the Lord, or by using us to disciple relatives, neighbors, and far away nations, our bodies matter.” (p.56) Let’s not make these mutually exclusive!
(On the other side of the same coin, discipleship via missions is not relegated as an option only for single people. But that’s a whole other conversation).
However, while the book had many strengths, there were also some weaknesses I was unable to ignore. Namely, I think the calling of making disciples was sold short. (After all, it was the shortest chapter of the book).
The author tended to reference discipleship in a way that seemed second best behind the calling of motherhood and raising children (or perhaps a lesser version of parenting if you’re unable to have children of your own).
In a book about the identity of women in Christ, I think this should have been more central to all of the various aspects of identity the author addressed.
I believe there’s a huge need in the church for women to be treated first as disciples of Christ, who are therefore called to disciplemaking in whatever form. All women should be exhorted to disciple, to imitate Christ, to pursue holiness—without the notion of, “Single women, this is for you too,” or limiting a mother’s role to *just* mothering and managing a household.
An example from the book: “Whether [God] chooses to do it by giving us children whom we nurture in the Lord, or by using us to disciple relatives, neighbors, and far away nations, our bodies matter.” (p.56) Let’s not make these mutually exclusive!
(On the other side of the same coin, discipleship via missions is not relegated as an option only for single people. But that’s a whole other conversation).
January 13, 2021
This book is a refreshing call in a world where many Christian books directed at women are basically self-empowerment cloaked in Christianese. Abigail Dodds gently and lovingly yet firmly and consistently reorients our hearts to the reality that our entire person is centered on the entire person and work of Jesus, admonishing us to celebrate God’s good design for us as women.
Abigail Dodds is a wife and mother of five and quite naturally draws beautiful connection and meaning to this in the examples she uses in her writing. This may even rub some of my friends (and even myself at times as I am not yet raising children in my home) the wrong way as she fearlessly but carefully lays out pictures of submission, nurturing, and shepherding eternal souls as a practice for all Christian women, a wonderful call and unmistakable feature of God’s good design!
While you will find books with more intentional attention given to specific areas of ministry where women serve, this book captures a foundational snapshot of biblical womanhood that few other books I’ve read do. I believe any Christian woman would benefit from this work.
Abigail Dodds is a wife and mother of five and quite naturally draws beautiful connection and meaning to this in the examples she uses in her writing. This may even rub some of my friends (and even myself at times as I am not yet raising children in my home) the wrong way as she fearlessly but carefully lays out pictures of submission, nurturing, and shepherding eternal souls as a practice for all Christian women, a wonderful call and unmistakable feature of God’s good design!
While you will find books with more intentional attention given to specific areas of ministry where women serve, this book captures a foundational snapshot of biblical womanhood that few other books I’ve read do. I believe any Christian woman would benefit from this work.
December 23, 2022
This book is just what our culture — including Christian culture — needs. Abigail Dodds offers much Scripture-filled insight into biblical womanhood. She covers a variety of seasons/life experiences in womanhood (from singleness to marriage to children and more) and addresses current counter-biblical views on womanhood.
I’m so thankful to finally find a resource to reference and recommend to others that’s both gracious and rich in wisdom based in God’s Word. Abigail approaches this topic with such a humble attitude, and her thoughts are well-developed and well-written as well, which can be a challenge to find in this style of book. Definitely worth the read!
I’m so thankful to finally find a resource to reference and recommend to others that’s both gracious and rich in wisdom based in God’s Word. Abigail approaches this topic with such a humble attitude, and her thoughts are well-developed and well-written as well, which can be a challenge to find in this style of book. Definitely worth the read!
November 29, 2020
This book is my favorite read this year. I enjoy Dodds’ writing style- candid, practical, and in the same breath worshipful and reflective. She tackles the tough questions. What makes us women? Is there anything that causes us to be more or less of a woman? What does it mean to be a woman and a Christian?
With probing questions she asks us to examine our hearts. Who are we willing to learn from? What makes one a “good mother”? Do we flirt with rebellion or cloak ourselves in legalism when it comes to God’s mission for our lives?
“And we learn that far from being typical, we must be faithful in the life and circumstances He has given us.”
With probing questions she asks us to examine our hearts. Who are we willing to learn from? What makes one a “good mother”? Do we flirt with rebellion or cloak ourselves in legalism when it comes to God’s mission for our lives?
“And we learn that far from being typical, we must be faithful in the life and circumstances He has given us.”
March 3, 2021
A great book on the biblical teaching of womanhood. It helped me realised how blessed I have been by faithful teaching on the subject. Parts 2 and 3 had some really thought provoking application. I really appreciated her thoughts on the transformation of women through the work of God and the freedom God gives us to do all things for his glory. And another challenge to be women who look to receive and give wisdom through discipling others.
April 12, 2021
This might be the most refreshingly genuine and biblically based book on being a Christian woman that I’ve ever read. With a tendency in so many books of this genre to either go the direction of a legalistic set of rules for women, or the direction of feelings-based charismatic approach to femininity, this book did not sway either way, and for that I am very grateful!!
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