Being Woman in the World - Print.

Being Woman in the World: Conversations in a Coffee Shop Book 3

By Susan Jones

Published: 16 November 2022
Language: English
B/W text, 220pp
Words: 67,600
Soft cover
ISBN 9781991027320

[15 in stock 21 Nov 2024]

Click here for eBooks

Description

Have you wondered why people treat women as they do?
What makes it hard to be a woman?
Don’t be ashamed you haven’t worked it out. The situation is complex.

It’s more tricky if you are travelling a spiritual journey. Women face complications in religious settings.

In her first year away from home, university student Faith meets her woman minister friend for coffee fortnightly. They discuss basic assumptions about women and men, the world, human beings and ‘waking up.’ They peer into scripture to excavate stories of a diversity of women; daughters, wives, prophets, breadwinners, victims and survivors, leaders and risk-takers.

Between hot chocolates and hazelnut lattes, Faith and her soul-guide delve into misogyny and theology. They study women’s leadership and ministry experiences. They laugh and cry, they rejoice and are angry, they think and dream.

Through her coffeeshop conversations, Faith discovers the quiet sound of her own inner voice. She recognises and nurtures it. She begins the journey of being a woman in the world.  

Advance reviews of Being Woman in the World

“Susan Jones has written a marvellously engaging theological discussion set around two women meeting regularly for coffee. I love the way the book bravely delves into taboo subjects and dissects Scriptural verses. It could have been a rather heavy tome, but it isn’t. Susan has a deft hand exploring notions of God and women in the Bible. Interspersed with the discussion is poetry that glides and sings its way throughout. What a refreshing book!” Rose Riddell, author of To be Fair: Confessions of a District Court Judge

“It’s marvellous! Susan has managed to distil numerous theologians not to mention her own thought PLUS poetry with humanity and elegance. The result is a book I didn’t want to put down till I’d finished. It left me looking for more.” Trish Patrick

“A super read. I gained a lot. Women are great. What the men of the church have missed out on over the centuries.” Yvonne Wilkie

“At last, a pillar of the church, a Doctor of Theology, a scholar and a life-long disciple of Christ, has gathered in one book, a multiplicity of inspirational facts, lists of Biblical names, historical details and research from a wide selection of writings, teachers, theologians and Biblical scholarship. They reveal a perspective of Being Woman in the World which honours both women and God. I believe this book will give women hope for a better future for their daughters and sons, and ultimately go far towards healing our planet.

The magic of this book is that the style of writing is so totally non-patriarchal! A local coffee bar, an inquiring student, moments of humour, poignant, appropriate poems, heart-breaking insights. And an author who gives us an insight into her strong caring, compassionate connection to her audience, her beliefs, her God, herself and to full disclosure of the truth of Being Woman in the World!

Some parts may not be a concern of yours right now. But stay with it, the next page could be a life-changer for you!  Bev Holt, Manager/Trustee, Te Wahi Ora Women’s Retreat, Piha

  

About the author

Susan is no stranger to being ‘other’ as she’s negotiated faith and gender issues.  Her writing has been honed as a teacher, spiritual director, supervisor and minister.  She’s completed a doctorate in theology too.

Susan’s agile, spacious mind engages respectfully with diverse beliefs and opinions, distilling complex ideas, making change accessible.  Life feels possible, hopeful after conversations with her, both in and out of coffee shops.  She brings a gentle, quirky sense of humour to her writing

Like the previous two books in Susan’s coffee shop conversations trilogy, here is integrated years of church study, scholarly observation, struggle and no small measure of pain, undergirded by authenticity, deep faith, and a sense of the numinous.

  

Contents

Basic Assumptions

1 – When her world changes, what’s a girl to do?

• Yes

2 – I need to talk

• I don’t know what to think!

3 – In the beginning

• In the beginning

4 – Theology or Misogyny?

• Dust to dust and breath to Breath

5 – A Fall or An Awakening?

• When did I fall asleep?

6 – Can girls do anything?

• Misogyny/Philogyny

Biblical women

7 – Brave and Prophetic Women

• Gomer
• Tamar

8 – Me Too

• Bathsheba

9 – Terrible texts

• Raped by the Pen
• Bat Jepthah
• ‘To the wilderness so hostile’
• Tamar

10 – Women disciples followed too

• Women of the Way
• Whose Authority?
• Mary M

11 – Women mentioned in despatches

• ‘Letters written to the churches’

12 – Who says women should keep silent?

• ‘For all the saints’

13 – He or she or something else: who and what is God?

• Was there once a light?
• MotherGod

 Who is in charge?

14 –Women leading now

• The dinner party – ended?

15 – Women of The Burning Bush after 25 years

• The woman came

16 – Women of The Burning Bush after 50 years

• Thoughts on Psalm 131
• Poem to….

17 – Women’s inner voice

• ‘Let us reach down deep inside us’

18 – Being Woman in the World

Poems of Lament & Celebration

• Lament for Everywoman
• Celebrating Everywoman

 Appendix 1 Other Women from the Genealogy of the Christ in Matthew 1

• Rahab
• Ruth
• Mary

 Appendix II

• Hymn ‘Jesus was fortunate’

Endnotes