When Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James is a call for Christian women to lay aside the false identities of “Marthas or Marys, doers or thinkers” and claim their identities as theologians. The content is affirming for women who “think too much”, challenging for women not anchored in biblical theology, and convicting for women struggling with God’s Sovereign plan. In other words, this book is affirming, challenging, and convicting for all! Endorsers make the point that the book is not only for women but for men.

Supporting her premise that “theology is for women,” James addresses individual and institutional biases regarding women theologians. She helps us to understand that all people are theologians. The only question is how strong is our theology? Women need biblical theology for themselves, for others, and for the church.

Part 1, an exploration of Our Need to Know God, begins with Mary at the feet of Jesus and delves into our resistance to knowing Him. James writes, “I knew basic ideas about God, but I had never concentrated my attention on him, never had given his character much thought or taken time to study his attributes. My efforts to study and read the Bible tended to be self focused…..Like a lot of women, I suppressed my unhappy thoughts about God for years, until I just couldn’t do it any longer. I needed to find out more about the God who held my life in his hands.” We are challenged to see that an accurate theology prepares us for the battle zones of life.

Part 2, Knowing God in Life, continues with Mary at the feet of Jesus, examining the reality of a relationship with Jesus who disappoints us when He does not act as we planned. James challenges us to battle our unbelief. She reminds us that “Unbelief never travels alone but brings bitterness and other sins of the heart. ….unbelief drains us of hope and undermines our courage at the very moment we need it most. We are challenged to fix our eyes on Jesus exercising a theology of the here and now.”

Part 3, Knowing God in Relationships, finds Mary at the feet of Jesus, and helps us understand God’s creation design of women as Ezers. Mrs. James details a study of the word Ezer. Women are strong helpers equipped by resurrection power and our theology to “rise to the challenge of each new circumstance of life.” Women are helpers designed with military prowess to “battle for God’s glory” –a battle fought in individual hearts, marriages, families, churches, and the world. As I read this, I was filled with gratitude at the memory of men and women side by side preparing for battle at the recent CEP – MNA Mercy Ministry Conference.

James summarizes with Mary’s sister, Martha, face to face with Jesus. The rest of the story is that doers like Martha are theologians too!

I found this book to be an excellent apologetic for God’s design of women’s ministry in the PCA. At the very beginning of the PCA the founders purposed that “every woman know Christ personally and be committed to extending his Kingdom in her life, home, church, community, and throughout the world.” That purpose will not be fulfilled through anemic theology. James sounds the trumpet for women to be found at the feet of Jesus knowing Him, colliding with Him in the hard places of life, and showing all who will see, that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Suggestions for using this book:

This book is a great companion book for Biblical Foundations for Womanhood as it calls for substantive women’s ministry in the church.

Examples:

The helper concepts of By Design may be used in challenging women to be defenders bringing help and hope to one another, their churches and communities.

Leadership for Women In the Church may be used to assist church leadership as they plan for moving women from the pew to substantive ministry as strong helpers.

- Barbara Thompson, CEP Regional Trainer and WIC Consultant