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Eve, Where Are You?: Confronting Toxic Practices Against the Advancement of Women
Without question, having competent women in leadership can certainly enhance the vitality of any organization. Sadly, too often women are not given equal opportunities and are left doubting their sense of self and their abilities.
In Eve, Where Are You?, Dr. Nicole Davis uniquely evaluates bias practices within one specific the Christian church. You’ll learn why many women are discouraged, emotionally absent, leaving churches, or considering giving up religious pursuits altogether. Within these pages, Dr. Davis thoughtfully contemplates the scriptural significance of God’s creation of Eve; compares women’s leadership advances in the marketplace and church; and shares real-life stories and perceptions about women in leadership offered by present-day church leaders.
As a conflict coach and resolutionist, Dr. Davis boldly addresses possible causal effects of toxic practices against women and then offers strategic solutions and guidance to both women and church organizations to facilitate reconciliation, creating opportunity for the church to regain influence and effectiveness in our culture.
Crisp, aggressive, and truthful, this study presents a call to action for women who want more, men who want more for women, and church organizations seeking to embrace internal transformation against gender bias in the Christian church.
In Eve, Where Are You?, Dr. Nicole Davis uniquely evaluates bias practices within one specific the Christian church. You’ll learn why many women are discouraged, emotionally absent, leaving churches, or considering giving up religious pursuits altogether. Within these pages, Dr. Davis thoughtfully contemplates the scriptural significance of God’s creation of Eve; compares women’s leadership advances in the marketplace and church; and shares real-life stories and perceptions about women in leadership offered by present-day church leaders.
As a conflict coach and resolutionist, Dr. Davis boldly addresses possible causal effects of toxic practices against women and then offers strategic solutions and guidance to both women and church organizations to facilitate reconciliation, creating opportunity for the church to regain influence and effectiveness in our culture.
Crisp, aggressive, and truthful, this study presents a call to action for women who want more, men who want more for women, and church organizations seeking to embrace internal transformation against gender bias in the Christian church.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 5, 2021
This is a book written by NICOLE L. DAVIS, PhD. She wrote about the challenges faced by women in a specific organisation - Christian church.
I had the privilege to read this book as I got to know more about the women's ministry in the church.
While reading the book, I came across so many quotes, which made me questioned women's right in society.
My favourite quote from the book is -
"I no longer accept boundaries or man sanctioned limitation on what I can be or accomplish because I know who God is in me. Can you say the same? If you're not sure, I ask the question, EVE, WHERE ARE YOU?"
This is not just a story about one person, it’s a story about everyone. Eve is not just a character or a person, eve is the woman who needs to experience her next level of greatness. Eve is me. Eve is you.
She also told about her personal experience in the same. She mentioned how a single question from her son, turns her to see the right and wrong in the community, how the women have always seen as the weaker sex.
For me, it's not just about one organisation but it's about how women face discrimination on a gender basis everywhere.
In workplaces where a female with more knowledge, experience and capability still hold a lower position than a male.
I would recommend this to everyone, this book will make you see so many situations much clear.
I had the privilege to read this book as I got to know more about the women's ministry in the church.
While reading the book, I came across so many quotes, which made me questioned women's right in society.
My favourite quote from the book is -
"I no longer accept boundaries or man sanctioned limitation on what I can be or accomplish because I know who God is in me. Can you say the same? If you're not sure, I ask the question, EVE, WHERE ARE YOU?"
This is not just a story about one person, it’s a story about everyone. Eve is not just a character or a person, eve is the woman who needs to experience her next level of greatness. Eve is me. Eve is you.
She also told about her personal experience in the same. She mentioned how a single question from her son, turns her to see the right and wrong in the community, how the women have always seen as the weaker sex.
For me, it's not just about one organisation but it's about how women face discrimination on a gender basis everywhere.
In workplaces where a female with more knowledge, experience and capability still hold a lower position than a male.
I would recommend this to everyone, this book will make you see so many situations much clear.
March 23, 2021
Women have been fighting for their rights in the public domain for many years. The right to own land, the right to vote, the right to have certain jobs. Yet, in the church, women have heard “No, you can’t do that because you are a woman.”
Dr. Davis is a conflict resolutionist, navy veteran, and federal mediator and brings an interesting perspective to this discussion. She discusses scripture as well as psychology. Dr. Davis addresses the passages most frequently used to remind women what God said they can’t do. She also introduces us to women who have mostly likely been forgotten or overlooked and the role they had in God’s plan. Dr. Davis reminds us of how countercultural Jesus and the gospels are in their view of women.
She brings in the psychology analysis as she discusses the repercussions to a woman both emotionally and mentally when she has the gifts and talents to lead, but is told within the context of the church she is limited to children and females. However, if a woman were to take those same gifts and talents into the public workspace, she could be running a company and leading both men and women.
I have heard for years the scriptures used against women in church leadership, or at least in pastoral roles. I have read interpretations from John MacArthur and N.T. Wright. Ultimately, I believe God is logical and loves men and women equally. That means someone’s interpretation of certain passages has to be missing the mark somewhere.
I recommend this book to those who are asking questions about the traditional interpretation of the scriptures that have been used to limit women. If you are not asking questions, you might not be open to what Dr. Davis presents. Warning, this book might make you think.
Dr. Davis is a conflict resolutionist, navy veteran, and federal mediator and brings an interesting perspective to this discussion. She discusses scripture as well as psychology. Dr. Davis addresses the passages most frequently used to remind women what God said they can’t do. She also introduces us to women who have mostly likely been forgotten or overlooked and the role they had in God’s plan. Dr. Davis reminds us of how countercultural Jesus and the gospels are in their view of women.
She brings in the psychology analysis as she discusses the repercussions to a woman both emotionally and mentally when she has the gifts and talents to lead, but is told within the context of the church she is limited to children and females. However, if a woman were to take those same gifts and talents into the public workspace, she could be running a company and leading both men and women.
I have heard for years the scriptures used against women in church leadership, or at least in pastoral roles. I have read interpretations from John MacArthur and N.T. Wright. Ultimately, I believe God is logical and loves men and women equally. That means someone’s interpretation of certain passages has to be missing the mark somewhere.
I recommend this book to those who are asking questions about the traditional interpretation of the scriptures that have been used to limit women. If you are not asking questions, you might not be open to what Dr. Davis presents. Warning, this book might make you think.
May 30, 2021
I believe that God created both man and woman to coexist, corule and coreign as the author has asserted. Men and women should stop seeing each other as competition but rather as complementary. Each gender has its strengths and weaknesses and I oftentimes find that one gender's weakness is the other gender's strength hence both should see it as a blessing working together seeing as it would lead to better results especially as far as advancement of the Kingdom is concerned. I did however think that her interpretation of Queen Vashti's "rebellion" (in the last chapter) as knowing her worth was a huge stretch of imagination and taints a rather compelling argument about the importance of women rising up in the church and doing away with whatever inferiority complex they might have.
I live in Kenya, Africa and there's still a long way to go as far as gender equality is concerned in both secular organizations and the church also but much progress has been made over the last about 2 decades. Unlike before, it's not uncommon to see women preaching as emphatically and effectively as men and even starting their own mega ministries. Many biases still do linger on seeing as African culture universally glorifies men whereas women are seen as inferior but things are rapidly changing especially with the younger generation shedding off long-held biases and more women becoming better educated and rapidly gaining ground even in the marketplace. In the church, women are now becoming elders, ministry leaders and others fully ordained ministers so that's definitely good news. I do believe a time will come when gender will be a non-issue as far as service and leadership is concerned whether it be in the marketplace or the church and the only qualities that will matter are calling and competence. May that day surely come, Amen!
I live in Kenya, Africa and there's still a long way to go as far as gender equality is concerned in both secular organizations and the church also but much progress has been made over the last about 2 decades. Unlike before, it's not uncommon to see women preaching as emphatically and effectively as men and even starting their own mega ministries. Many biases still do linger on seeing as African culture universally glorifies men whereas women are seen as inferior but things are rapidly changing especially with the younger generation shedding off long-held biases and more women becoming better educated and rapidly gaining ground even in the marketplace. In the church, women are now becoming elders, ministry leaders and others fully ordained ministers so that's definitely good news. I do believe a time will come when gender will be a non-issue as far as service and leadership is concerned whether it be in the marketplace or the church and the only qualities that will matter are calling and competence. May that day surely come, Amen!
May 24, 2021
While I appreciated some of what I read and the personal accounts, I was mostly disappointed. Dr. Davis wrote from a premeditated point of view, in my opinion. I would have appreciated a more thorough look at the Scriptures related to God's role for women in the church. There seemed to be an assumption that churches that did not place women in pastor or elder roles were simply not willing to change. She included a chart of some of the difficult scriptures that lead churches to those conclusions, but she didn't address them or interpret them.
This is a struggle for me. One line that I particularly resonated with: The women were also frustrated in knowing they possessed a certain gift, skill, or talent that could help others but they were not able to utilize such gifts simply because of their gender. (Page 60) The struggle is real. Yes, I think there is a way for men and women to co-labor together, as co-heirs and co-image bearers, without ignoring God's perfect plan and design for His Church. I'm still seeking God on what that looks like. I don't think this book described that. But I'm still glad I read it.
This is a struggle for me. One line that I particularly resonated with: The women were also frustrated in knowing they possessed a certain gift, skill, or talent that could help others but they were not able to utilize such gifts simply because of their gender. (Page 60) The struggle is real. Yes, I think there is a way for men and women to co-labor together, as co-heirs and co-image bearers, without ignoring God's perfect plan and design for His Church. I'm still seeking God on what that looks like. I don't think this book described that. But I'm still glad I read it.
May 26, 2021
This is a well thought out and researched book on the damage done to God's kingdom by ignoring, preventing and otherwise damaging the ministry, gifting, and value of women as leaders. Having just finished reading the history of women in the Christian church from the Patriarchal fathers onward I found this book to be useful in thinking about the next steps in moving onward without making men feel abused or villainized in the process. I recommend this book for any church who is thinking of introducing women into its leadership and to the women involved so they have a guideline for how to deal with the issues once they get there.
May 26, 2021
This book is rich in knowledge and girded in Biblical truth. Every Christian should read this book - not only those called to ministry in our churches - to recognize and combat discrimination against women. Dr. Davis brings awareness and speaks power through the pages of her book on the topics of double standards, gender framing, identity labels, value/worth, servanthood, the importance of environment, and more. Women have an innate ability for “fostering hope, love, acceptance, and stability” and these characteristics are crucial to the care of the body of Christ and carrying out His mission and message to the world.
April 25, 2022
I had an opportunity to read this book after reviewing another book on a similar topic: Women in the Bible: Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church
In Part I, we find four (4) chapters that introduce “The Conflict” between women called to serve and the established patriarchy that frequently impedes that call. In chapter 2 the author looks at “The Struggle Between What I’m Competent to Do and What I’m Allowed to Do” before moving on the more traditional conflicts of men vs women and women vs women that I though were both interesting and insightful without being overly judgmental. Part 2, “The Explanation” takes on a bit more risk as the author uses psychological model theories to show why there might be so much resistance to change within the church. I enjoyed these four (4) chapters on identity, power, change and mental/psyche as much as the first four (4) and they seem to be solidly rooted in current theory. Up to now, the tone of the book was mostly encouragement/empowerment for women and instructional/explaining for men with something good for everybody. Part 3 may catch some a little off guard as the tone of "The Resolution" is a lot more aggressive and confrontational (especially given the bona fides of the author in conflict resolution). Perhaps that is what is needed if you are targeting people at the top of an organization ... but this part doesn't do much for those in organizations that are heavily hierarchical ... such as the Catholic Church ... and I didn't find much here that I could actually use in the trenches. While I can understand the frustration and impatience, in such organizations, the long game is needed more and that was unfortunately lacking here (I am talking generations in this case). Still, this is an important voice for understanding how we as church should evolve.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#EveWhereAreYou #Bookfunnel
In Part I, we find four (4) chapters that introduce “The Conflict” between women called to serve and the established patriarchy that frequently impedes that call. In chapter 2 the author looks at “The Struggle Between What I’m Competent to Do and What I’m Allowed to Do” before moving on the more traditional conflicts of men vs women and women vs women that I though were both interesting and insightful without being overly judgmental. Part 2, “The Explanation” takes on a bit more risk as the author uses psychological model theories to show why there might be so much resistance to change within the church. I enjoyed these four (4) chapters on identity, power, change and mental/psyche as much as the first four (4) and they seem to be solidly rooted in current theory. Up to now, the tone of the book was mostly encouragement/empowerment for women and instructional/explaining for men with something good for everybody. Part 3 may catch some a little off guard as the tone of "The Resolution" is a lot more aggressive and confrontational (especially given the bona fides of the author in conflict resolution). Perhaps that is what is needed if you are targeting people at the top of an organization ... but this part doesn't do much for those in organizations that are heavily hierarchical ... such as the Catholic Church ... and I didn't find much here that I could actually use in the trenches. While I can understand the frustration and impatience, in such organizations, the long game is needed more and that was unfortunately lacking here (I am talking generations in this case). Still, this is an important voice for understanding how we as church should evolve.
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#EveWhereAreYou #Bookfunnel
June 6, 2021
⭐She has raised a very important but often neglected question of women leadership in religious organisations.The book highlights through lives of research participants and through ms.Davis's own experiences how practice of keeping women away from leadership in religious organizations have affected the lives of millions of women in general and functioning of churches in particular.Very aptly she includes excerpts from the Bible itself to remind the readers what exactly God wants female to do in His Kingdom.
⭐In part one she explains what exactly is the conflict all about.In part two through various power,change and mental models she highlights the ideologies and philosophies that have the potential of hindering any positive change that can occur in Christian churches.In the last part of the book she proposes R.E.F.R.E.S.H model as a possible solution.
⭐Throughout the book she made it absolutely clear that she isn't anti men instead she is advocating for something that was always of/for women but taken away from them either out of ignorance or ego.
✔In her research she focuses on Christian churches but her analysis is equally applicable for any other religion.
✔I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.It gave me new insights regarding the causes of this women leadership conflict and of course the possible solution.
✔I liked the real life experiences of the participants which made her arguments more strong and the content much more relatable for me.
✔An excellent,well edited,well crafted,well written,well analysed and very well presented piece of work.
✔I Haven't read any book which talks about this issue with such a great depth.
❌The only issue I had was that of the number of participants and the amount of diversity present in the group.
❌I think the sample size was small and there were participants of only African and Caucasian descent.I think more insights could have been gained about root causes of the problems if there was more diversity in participants.Because more often cultural norms overrides religious norms and people label them as a religious thing knowingly or unknowingly and the whole burden is on a woman.
⭐In part one she explains what exactly is the conflict all about.In part two through various power,change and mental models she highlights the ideologies and philosophies that have the potential of hindering any positive change that can occur in Christian churches.In the last part of the book she proposes R.E.F.R.E.S.H model as a possible solution.
⭐Throughout the book she made it absolutely clear that she isn't anti men instead she is advocating for something that was always of/for women but taken away from them either out of ignorance or ego.
✔In her research she focuses on Christian churches but her analysis is equally applicable for any other religion.
✔I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.It gave me new insights regarding the causes of this women leadership conflict and of course the possible solution.
✔I liked the real life experiences of the participants which made her arguments more strong and the content much more relatable for me.
✔An excellent,well edited,well crafted,well written,well analysed and very well presented piece of work.
✔I Haven't read any book which talks about this issue with such a great depth.
❌The only issue I had was that of the number of participants and the amount of diversity present in the group.
❌I think the sample size was small and there were participants of only African and Caucasian descent.I think more insights could have been gained about root causes of the problems if there was more diversity in participants.Because more often cultural norms overrides religious norms and people label them as a religious thing knowingly or unknowingly and the whole burden is on a woman.
October 12, 2021
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) and here is my review:
I appreciate the effort and the passion that Nicole L. Davis expressed through this work. Looking from a researcher's perspective on the strive of the women to make a difference in their local churches in spite of all traditions and culture.
My main concern with the tone of the book is the aggressive approach. Though concerned with the church's well-being and growth, it seems to me that Davis inspires women "against" rather than "for" something. This is my impression from the lengthy analysis of the church culture, history of biblical interpretation, and the evident accusations towards the men and church structures.
Perhaps this impression comes from my personal walk and no desire/intention/vision/calling to become a church pastor or preacher. I don't see why this is the ultimate goal for me as a woman in working in the church. Again, perhaps this comes solely from my own experience.
The church is the people and not the building or the institutional structure and I as a Christian woman am impacting the church with my life and my interaction with the church. I find plenty of opportunities for disciple-making and encouraging to building up the body which is not only enabled by the position of preacher or pastor in the church but my status as a Christian.
I find the REFRESH method really interesting and applicable for an organizational setting where the outcomes and plans are made to be measurable and reportable. However, again, I think that the church as a body and the Holy Spirit is not subject to such tools. Therefore, my conclusion is that Davis speaks strictly from an organizational perspective, rather than a concern of building the church as the Body of Christ.
Nonetheless, I would recommend this book to women who have confidence issues and are hesitant to get involved in the ministry. I would make sure they also understand that it is the Holy Spirit who calls, transforms, and empowers women and men into any ministry. Any strive for power for the sake of power is to be searched in prayer, fasting, and within the community.
I appreciate the effort and the passion that Nicole L. Davis expressed through this work. Looking from a researcher's perspective on the strive of the women to make a difference in their local churches in spite of all traditions and culture.
My main concern with the tone of the book is the aggressive approach. Though concerned with the church's well-being and growth, it seems to me that Davis inspires women "against" rather than "for" something. This is my impression from the lengthy analysis of the church culture, history of biblical interpretation, and the evident accusations towards the men and church structures.
Perhaps this impression comes from my personal walk and no desire/intention/vision/calling to become a church pastor or preacher. I don't see why this is the ultimate goal for me as a woman in working in the church. Again, perhaps this comes solely from my own experience.
The church is the people and not the building or the institutional structure and I as a Christian woman am impacting the church with my life and my interaction with the church. I find plenty of opportunities for disciple-making and encouraging to building up the body which is not only enabled by the position of preacher or pastor in the church but my status as a Christian.
I find the REFRESH method really interesting and applicable for an organizational setting where the outcomes and plans are made to be measurable and reportable. However, again, I think that the church as a body and the Holy Spirit is not subject to such tools. Therefore, my conclusion is that Davis speaks strictly from an organizational perspective, rather than a concern of building the church as the Body of Christ.
Nonetheless, I would recommend this book to women who have confidence issues and are hesitant to get involved in the ministry. I would make sure they also understand that it is the Holy Spirit who calls, transforms, and empowers women and men into any ministry. Any strive for power for the sake of power is to be searched in prayer, fasting, and within the community.
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