Out of the Shadows, by Kate Bruce and Liz Shercliff

'The authors take various women from the Bible, spanning Genesis to Acts, and write about them in a way which is really refreshing'

Out of the Shadows; Preaching the Women of the Bible
By Kate Bruce and Liz Shercliff
SCM Press
ISBN: 978 1 473 69329 6
Reviewed by Jeannie Kendall 

As I was finishing reading this book, I had it with me when I attended a meeting, and before long had taken it out of my bag and was showing it to everyone there and recommending it. It is a really interesting book.

In 17 chapters the authors take various women from the Bible, spanning Genesis to Acts, and write about them in a way which is really refreshing. As well as taking a general, and sometimes surprising, look at their stories, either individually or grouping them together, they give sermon suggestions, points to note, and a prayer (a Collect as they are writing as Anglicans). That might make it sound as it is only a book for preachers, but it should not be confined to them as the sermon suggestions could equally be read as part of using each chapter in devotional times.

The ‘shadows’ of the title from which the women emerge include among others those of blame (Eve), racism (Ruth), tradition (Mary the mother of Jesus) and misinterpretation (Mary and Martha).

I have long thought that looking at the women of the Bible is a neglected area. My hope is that this book will be read by both women and men, who will find many treasures within.
 

Jeannie Kendall is a ‘retired’ Baptist minister, a current co-leader on the Pastoral Supervision course run by Spurgeon’s College, speaker and trainer. She is currently writing her fourth book: her third, Heroes or Villains? was published in 2023