Strong Was Her Faith: Women of the New Testament

by J. Ellsworth Kalas

In this follow-up to his book The Thirteen Apostles, popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas focuses on several women of great faith who were crucial, in ways both obvious and understated, to the story of the New Testament. Kalas looks into the life and times of eleven different women. With his signature style, Kalas examines the Scriptures to see what we can learn about these women and what we can learn from them, and how each woman fit into as well as shaped the New Testament story. Chapters
“ A Friend in Need”
“ She Knew How to Wait”
“Martha, the Disciplined”
“Mary, the Extravagant”
“The Mighty Widow”
“The Anonymous Evangelist”
“Mary When Love Is Greater than Faith”
“Mary, the Mother of Mark”
“ Worth a Miracle”
“Lydia, the Businesswoman
“Mary in Life and Legend”
“Why Mary?” This book also includes a study guide.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Inspirational

136 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

J. Ellsworth Kalas has been part of the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary since 1993, after thirty-eight years as a United Methodist pastor and five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council. He has been a presenter on DISCIPLE videos and is the author of more than thirty books, including the popular Back Side series as well as the Christian Believer study.

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kalas, a Methodist minister, explores the witness and spiritual challenge of 11 New Testament women in 12 short chapters (Mary, Mother of Jesus, gets 2 chapters). A study guide at the end of the book makes it easy to use for a women’s study group. This is appropriate for both mainline Protestant and Catholic readers, for those with little experience with Scripture study and veterans of the practice. 3.5 stars

[Patricia M Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a most enjoyable read. I give the author a lot of credit to his thought process for the women he discussed in the book. I liked his use of scripture. His question was right on when he asked "Why do we not know more about the women in the new Testament?"

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book revealing the clues found in the Bible of the importance of the female gender to Christ, to God, and yes surprisingly even to Paul. It has a nice section at the back that can help the reader use the book in a study group.

[Gretchen Hand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! I enjoyed learning about many women I knew very little about, and the author did a great job in recognizing their strengths. Such a great book, and I look forward to reading more.

[Kathy Hassig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another UMW book. It only took me a few days to read it. I really had a hard time putting it down. I've put several of the author's books on my wish list for Amazon.

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had managed to make it to the small group a few years ago

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUMMARY: In this follow-up to his book The Thirteen Apostles, popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas focuses on several women of great faith who were crucial, in ways both obvious and understated, to the story of the New Testament. Kalas looks into the life and times of eleven different women. With his signature style, Kalas examines the Scriptures to see what we can learn about these women and what we can learn from them, and how each woman fit into as well as shaped the New Testament story.

REVIEW: This was perhaps one of the best books I have read covering some of the important women of the Bible. I especially liked it because of the short, easy to read chapters each covering a particular woman. Yet even though they were short chapters, the author had some thought provoking comments on each of the women. I especially liked the two chapters on Mary the mother of Jesus. I look forward to reading his prior book The Thirteen Apostles.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "But there is nothing quite like the friend who has such a close relationship to God that in that person's presence you feel closer to God.

"With time we learned that life cannot be neatly compartmentalized, can't always be managed, and can almost never be hurried up."

"Sin is in the eye of God, but the degree of sin is more likely to be in the eye of the beholder."

"We are so absorbed with the immediate that we are hardly open to the transcendent. And that's our poverty."

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The women being discussed in this book are the ones you would expect to be highlighted from Scriptures. But, Mr. Kalas has an amazing ability to not stereotype nor rephrase what every other faith based authors have been doing. His reflections upon Scripture do not try to read more into content that what has been provided- except to discuss their humanity. His insights are a fresh perspective, they are very liberating, and they are very realistic. I truly felt new truth was shared in looking at the positions these women found themselves in and what helps the earn a place in most books looking at women in the Bible. I was especially impressed with this book because I felt the author had to overcome 1)being a male 2)having a long history in a denominational mindset and 3)working in theology/seminary settings, yet still provided a very clear and unbiased perception and understanding of these amazing women. It was and they are- inspiring.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the short chapters. The chapter that spoke to me most was about Dorcas. I think it's because I had just done a lesson about Dorcas with my four year old class. This chapter brought up things I did not think of while doing the lesson. Like why Dorcas? She must have been extraordinary for her friends to even approach Peter. Each chapter was filled with little morsels to think about like that.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about women in the New Testament. However, in the author's attempt to give women credit for their significance in Biblical history, he came off slightly condescending to me. It was a well written and well conceived book, though. Enjoyed it!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written glimpse into the lives of some fiercely strong women. It was a pleasure reading this book in memory of my friend Angela's beloved grandfather J. Ellsworth who recently passed away

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though none of these women were new to me, this book did offer me new insights into some of them, and it was concise and to-the-point.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more about these women.
This is a great book for a 'light' Bible study group.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and interesting chapters on several strong, faithful and courageous women in the New Testament -- was a great book as base for my Fall ladies book and bible study.

[Vickie Brannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Kalas's style of writing. I was intrigued by the "humanizing" of these women and came away feeling uplifted.

[Susan Luse · Rating 5 out of 5]

His grasp of history and ability to help me see how it fits in my life currently, is amazing,

[Claire Cox-woodlief · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent study for a women's group.