Book Review
A Book Like No Other: What’s So Special About the Bible
and
God With Us: Light from the Gospels
Reviewed by Sylvia Dooling, February 5, 1999
By Carol J. Ruvolo,
(Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1998, 87/162 pp., $7.99/8.99)
When I was asked by The Layman to review two books from a new series specifically for women’s Bible study, I was reservedly excited. As President of Voices of Orthodox Women, I am asked often to recommend study materials for women. Unfortunately, however, literature that uses the lens of the historic reformed tradition to exposit Scripture is as “scarce as hens’ teeth.”
So, needless to say, I opened these two books with great anticipation.
My attention was immediately drawn to their back covers, and to that list of prominent people chosen to recommend them. I quickly concluded that the author of this new series must be a member of the Presbyterian Church of America. On the one hand, that bothered me a bit. On the other, the names signaled the fact that the books would most likely have a high view of Scripture and be written from a decidedly reformed point of view.
Sylvia Dooling As I began to read the books, I was immediately reminded of why I am a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Even though I often feel like an alien, I belong here. And, one of my biggest reasons for belonging is that the PC(USA) has taken an affirmative stand on the equality of women in service. Conversely, the PCA does not ordain women to church office. So, I wasn’t surprised when I read the introduction to A Book Like No Other, wherein Ruvolo says candidly that women should study their Bibles in order to be teachers in the home (suggesting thereby that other venues for women engaging in teaching may be inappropriate). For some, this parochial viewpoint may invalidate the rest of the book. However, while it bothered me, I did not find it to be an insurmountable hurdle.
The second problem I found with the books orbits around the issue of inerrancy. Although the “place” of women is not referred to after the introduction, the inerrancy of Scripture is a recurring theme. It is Ruvolo’s opinion that without a full-blown doctrine of inerrancy, Scripture is stripped of its authority. Again, this may be a problem for some. But, it presents women with wonderful opportunities to explore the nature and authority of Scripture.
The foregoing criticisms notwithstanding, I heartily recommend these two books as a resource to women who are looking for thoughtful, in-depth Bible Study materials.
A Book Like No Other, for example, contains a much needed discussion of the relationship between Word and Spirit. Ruvolo correctly maintains that “the work of the Spirit and the work of the Word are truly inseparable. In this age of experience-oriented faith, it is essential to remember that the Spirit of God never leads us apart from, away from, or contrary to the Word of God recorded in Scripture.” This is a much needed reminder that the church separates the Spirit from the Book only at its peril.
God With Us: Light from the Gospels begins with a grand historical overview of Scripture entitled “What is Christmas all about?” It’s an exciting introduction to the study of the gospels. The lessons that follow are put together with ample portions of Scripture, and each begins with a short poetic synopsis of the text that will be studied. With an economy of words, Ruvolo carefully retells the gospel stories using charming contemporary language.
At the end of each chapter there is an excellent review of the material studied, and a section of thoughtful questions for personal application. Those who want to pursue the text even further may use the “Digging Deeper” section. At the back of the book is the customary reading list. Again, the list features a number of PCA authors, but with a little creativity one could produce a list of publications more reflective of our PC(USA) positions.
One chapter in particular stood out for me. Entitled “Exalted Through Humility,” it teaches the importance of being slaves to God. In a culture that almost worships individual freedom, Ruvolo reminds us that our primary reason for being is service – service to one another and to God.
Finally, the books left me wistfully wishing that the PC(USA) would produce study materials for women that ring with the authority of Scripture, and that take the richness of our reformed faith seriously. For those who are not sure what the reformed faith is, Ruvolo has inserted a chapter at the back of each of these two books entitled “What is the Reformed Faith?” In and of themselves, these chapters should provoke some thoughtful discussions.
So, the next time I get an inquiry about Bible Study materials for women, I will recommend these two books. They are flawed in ways that will sound strange to PC(USA) ears and that will need to be challenged. But, they are not nearly so flawed as much of what passes for Bible Study curriculum in our denomination.