About the Book

Book: Women of the Bible Speak Out
Author: Marlo Schalesky
Genre: RELIGION/Christian Living/Women’s Interests
Release Date: June 2, 2020

With the recent headlines about gender-based abuse, power, harassment, and assault, it seems as if everyone is searching for answers. Marlo Schalesky provides a biblical response to the tough questions raised by these issues. She explores the stories of twenty women in Scripture, including Eve, Sarah, and Bathsheba—women who were betrayed, abused, endangered, blamed, and shamed. As she leads us in studying the biblical text, she draws our eye to God’s responses to these women and their situations:

Eve: The Way It Was Supposed to Be

Sarai: Betrayed

Hagar: – Used

Lot’s Daughters & A Levite’s Concubine: Abused

Two Tamars: Rejected

Hannah: Devalued

Abigail: Endangered

Bathsheba: Sexualized

Esther: Dominated

Mary & Martha: Oppressed

A Samaritan Woman: Shamed

A Sinful Woman: Scorned

A Woman Caught in Adultery: Blamed

Women at the Tomb: Disbelieved

She points out a way to healing, wholeness, and freedom. In the midst of today’s #MeToo conversations, this book will give new voice to the remarkable women of Scripture—and new hope to many, many women today.

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MY THOUGHTS.....

I think that one of the reasons that this book is so powerful is that the author has personally experienced many of the feelings that she has chosen to write about. Marlo Schalesky has been a victim but, more importantly, she is now a survivor and she wants other women to understand that they can be survivors also. In the introduction of Women of the Bible Speak Out, she states that “Healing is not found in the arms of accusation. It’s found in a God who sees, loves, and redeems.” As she tells the stories of numerous Biblical women, she offers a fictional account, or biblical imagination, of what they may have felt during their difficult times. She also shares where their stories are found in the Bible and a one-word-description of how they felt. Feelings of betrayal, abuse, domination, oppression, shame, and scorn are some of the feelings described and aren't these the very words that we often hear in today's culture?

After reading this book, I have a new understanding of the women that I've read about most of my life. I am also reminded that God loved those women and He continues to love all of us. Women from the beginning of time have been valued by God and this is still true today. Schalesky urges us to never give up hope and to always turn to Him. He is the One who can grant us true healing.

Women of the Bible Speak Out is a wonderful resource and I believe that it could be used for personal devotion or in a group Bible study.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required and these are my own opinions.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

About the Author

Marlo Schalesky is the founder and president of Wonder Wood Ranch, a California charitable organization that brings hope through horses to hurting kids. She’s had over one thousand articles published in various Christian magazines, is a regular columnist for Power for Living, and is an award-winning author of twelve books. Schalesky has a master’s in theology with an emphasis in biblical studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. She lives with her husband and six children in a log home on California’s central coast.

More from Marlo

1) Why did you write this book?

When I was first asked to consider writing a book about women in the Bible who experienced abuse, oppression, gender-based bias and discrimination, sexualization, and more, I didn’t know how their stories would intersect with mine and the experiences of women today. I thought I would find only horror, but beyond that I found a surprising hope; a God who is always seeking to redeem, to heal, and to make right where mankind has broken and betrayed.

This book is for others like me, for women who have been hurt, whose wounds sometimes seem too deep to heal. I wrote it for those who know that while justice is necessary, it is not enough. We need to see God. We need Him to see us. We need an experience with the God of Scripture whose fierce love is the only thing that can heal those hurts that lie deep within.

2) What do you hope your readers will take away from reading your book?

I hope they experience a renewed hope. And a deeper understanding of the God who loves them. I want readers to know that God sees them, and He sees what they’ve suffered, and He does not look away. He does not make excuses.

After reading Women of the Bible Speak Out, I hope readers will see that instead of winking at the repression of women, the Bible exposes it. And the Bible reveals a God who not only shares in our suffering but seeks to redeem it.