Priscilla, where are you? A Call to Joyful Theology by Natalie Brand (Union Publishing)

This is a quick and enjoyable read. Natalie Brand is passionate about encouraging women in particular to be more enthusiastic about studying theology. She draws on the little we know of the Biblical character Priscilla, who Paul mentions along with her husband Aquila, to highlight the important role that women play in the church, and also in home, in safeguarding the essentials of the faith. To do this effectively women must be fully conversant with doctrinal truth and Natalie is encouraging women to mine the Bible deeply for the gold to be found. She also notes that we should choose carefully the books that we read, suggesting that the old classics are so rich in doctrine that these will reap the greatest spiritual benefits.

Natalie is keen to remind us that knowing God in his Word is the duty of every believer regardless of age, gender, race, education and intellectual ability.

If Scripture is the basecamp of theology, then loving the Word and diving into biblical doctrine is one and the same thing. This means that books about our God are for the whole family: husband, wife, child and visitor. They are community resources. Their accessibility to all is one obvious way that we can centralise worship in the home.

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In case we should think that we need to spend all our time poring over our studies to the neglect of our other duties, Natalie reminds us that to know more of God is to love and enjoy Him more, which will naturally touch the way we live our lives.

The fruit of healthy theology is godliness. “In order for doctrine to be fruitful to us, it must overflow into our hearts, spread into our daily routines, and truly transform us within” (John Calvin)

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Natalie has straightforwardly shown us from scripture that women played an important role in supporting the ministry of Paul, she has clearly set out the joy of theology and has also given practical tips for getting started. I think this would make a great little book for a ladies book club, especially with the questions designed to promote discussion at the end of each chapter.

Have you ever heard the John Piper quote ‘Wimpy theology makes wimpy women’? Let’s not be wimpy women!

Lorna