In Review

The IVP Women’s Bible Commentary.
Catherine Clark Kroeger and Mary J. Evans, editors.

Review by Charles W. Christian

It has been said that good commentaries make good preachers. Although there are major exceptions to this rule, it is a fact that a preacher is significantly influenced by his or her reference tools. InterVarsity Press has given readers a solid one-volume commentary that might also be called a Bible handbook. It boasts 88 contributors, men and women (mostly women) from around the world with numerous articles on a variety of issues. The editors of this commentary are noted authors and scholars in their own right: Kroeger teaches at Gordon-Conwell Seminary and Evans at London Bible College.

The issues addressed from a scholarly perspective in this commentary alone are worth its price. Topics covered in the articles include such varied themes as menopause, barrenness and fertility, images of God as female, and infanticide. Broader themes include articles addressing difficult passages (including, but not limited to, those passages that have generally been used to oppress women), theological issues (such as the Atonement), and on ethical concerns (such as the purpose and value of human life), and make up the over 100 articles in this commentary.

Lest those of the masculine gender be turned away by its title, the Preface makes clear that this detailed work “. . . is not written simply ‘for’ women as opposed to men; it is rather written ‘from’ women.” Although, as one might expect, there are numerous articles and references to issues about women in the Bible and in society, men (e.g., male pastors) can also benefit greatly from this commentary in at least two ways. First, since nearly two-thirds of most congregations are women, hearing a women’s perspective on issues sometimes overlooked or taken for granted (or even avoided!) by male preachers and teachers can be a source of great connection with a majority of the congregation. Second, the scholars in this commentary represent not only the best of “women’s scholarship” in Evangelicalism but the best scholarship Evangelicals have to offer, period!

As expected, each book of the Bible contains a detailed introduction and commentary on each section of the book. At times particular passages (i.e., those most relevant to women or those texts that have special application in regard to women) are highlighted in detail. This commentary is great for sermon starters, last-minute sermon details about a particular passage or issue, and good bibliographic material (a bibliography follows each article and each book of the Bible). It also makes a great gift to encourage astute women of the congregation to pursue their passion for God’s Word. The wisdom of women Evangelicals has often been quietly heeded. Perhaps this volume shows that the acquired wisdom and knowledge of some of Evangelicalism’s best women scholars is finally getting a proper audience. I highly recommend this commentary as a great addition to any male or female pastor’s library.

(Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2002. 843 pp., $45.00. ISBN 083-081-437X.)

Charles W. Christian is the pastor of Canby Chapel Church of the Nazarene in Canby, Oregon.