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I’m a Complementarian and I Read Books by Women Writers

They can write to all of us. They should write to all of us. We all can benefit from their gifts, their ability, their wisdom.

And I encourage Christian men to gladly, humbly, confidently read books by women. I encourage pastors to gladly, humbly, confidently read books by women. Don’t read them with fear or suspicion, don’t read them to simply screen them for your wife or your congregation, but read them to learn, to grow, to know God better. Trust that God dispenses gifting, ability and wisdom to men and women alike.

Let me circle back to where I began. I titled this article “I’m Complementarian and I Read Books by Women.” But on further reflection, perhaps it’s better to say “I’m Complementarian So I Read Books by Women.” My theology doesn’t just allow it. It demands and celebrates it.

Some Favorite Books

Here are just a few of the books written by women for a mixed audience that have been especially helpful to me. I have deliberately not included books written specifically for women, though I’ve benefited from many of those as well.

  • Total Truth and Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcey. Pearcey’s books have been a tremendous blessing and challenge to me. In many ways she has helped carry the spirit of Francis Schaeffer into a new generation.
  • 1 Peter by Karen Jobes. I’m with D.A. Carson in believing this is currently the best commentary on 1 Peter.
  • The Feminist Mistake by Mary Kassian. Though many of Mary’s books have been written specifically for women, this one is for both men and women and has been very helpful to me in better understanding feminism.
  • Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson. This was one of my favorite books of 2016 and a powerful challenge to put pride to death.
  • The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield. Butterfield’s book was tremendously helpful in better understanding homosexuality and the sense of community it builds.
  • Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God by Noël Piper. This is a powerful collection of short biographies about faithful women who joyfully served their great God.

This article originally appeared here.