Elyse Fitzpatrick - Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women

In a world where womanhood is simultaneously worshiped and despised, Elyse and Eric explain a womans worth, straight from Scripture. With chapters filled with compassion and hard questions, they challenge readers to develop a robust view of women in redemptive history.

Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler, coauthors of Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments

Women along with men are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ of the inheritance of the kingdom. This is good news for all of us, male and female. This book, authored by two respected and wise Christian leaders, can help the church to celebrate the gifting and calling of women within the Body of Christ. As you read this book, pray that God would show you how best to respect and uplift the women and girls in your church and community.

Russell Moore, president, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

This is an extremely important discussion for the church right now, and Elyse and Eric are the right voices to provide guidance. This book marks an important milestone of what God is doing in his church.

J.D. Greear, PhD, pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC; 62nd president, the Southern Baptist Convention; author of Above All

This book will provoke many feminists because its authors strive to be rigorously biblical. It will provoke many self-perceived complementarians because... the authors strive to be rigorously biblical. This is provocation that we all need, challenging us to look afresh at Scripture, and at our own attitudes and practices.

Dennis E. Johnson, PhD, professor emeritus of practical theology, Westminster Seminary California

With candor and wisdom, Elyse and Eric shine a light into the biblical text, showing the ways God has cared for and worked through women to bring about his purposes in the world. Then they shine a light into the church, addressing the significant questions women have about how God cares for and intends to work through them today.

Nancy Guthrie, author of Even Better Than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible s Story Changes Everything about Your Story

Dont mistake this as a book about gender roles. It is a book about the value of women. I recommend Worthy for those of us who are tired of the extremes of the gender debates and want to explore the heart of our convictions. Guided by Scripture, Elyse and Eric come together (in stereo) to challenge our own perceptions of value and how we communicate worth.

Aimee Byrd, author of Why Can t We Be Friends? and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

I like this book a lot. I do not agree with all of it, but I agree with most of it. Too often women fade into the background or disappear altogether in our interpretation and proclamation of Gods Word. This is a mistake with harmful and unhelpful repercussions. This book helps us correct this problem. I enthusiastically commend it.

Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

I have never been more convinced of my worth as a woman made in Gods image and redeemed by Christs blood. Im eternally grateful to Elyse and Eric for helping me to see Gods care and commissioning of women in his Word. Everyone needs to read this book.

Quina Aragon, author of Love Made: A Story of God s Overflowing, Creative Heart

I became painfully aware of how important Worthy by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher was as I read it, because this biblically insightful book reminded me once again of my own sins and devaluing of women in my own life. I am a Christian man and pastor with a regrettable history of objectifying, demeaning, and devaluing women in my life and in the church. This book is needed because there are others like me who need a loving rebuke from trusted authors who have lived this same struggle in their own life and walked with others who have done the same. Every pastor needs to read this book to help expose the way we often devalue women in the church and dont realize it. Women need to read this book so they can truly know the way God values them, as well as women throughout redemptive history, and how God intends for them to flourish in the local church today. I heartily commend it.

Brian Croft, senior pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church; founder, Practical Shepherding; senior fellow, Mathena Center for Church Revitalization, SBTS

An important resource for churches longing to see all their members rise up and fulfill the calling God has for them. I appreciate the honesty and candor both authors bring to this timely discussion of women and the church. Written with empathy and a high respect for Scripture and the image of God gloriously present in all of us, I highly recommend this important read.

Mary DeMuth, author of We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis

This book is so good. Its beautifully written, the theological clarity bursts forth on every page, and its saturated with the Gospel. False, antiquated ideas concerning womens role in Gods kingdom are deconstructed and the Holy Spirit reconstructs a God-glorying perspective for women (and men) in Gods redemptive purposes. I highly recommend this book!

Dr. Derwin L. Gray, lead pastor, Transformation Church; author of Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future

Elyse and Eric ask and answer very important questions about the value of women, but it is not just for women. While I hope my wife, daughters, mom, sister, and other women in my life internalize the message of this book, it is also for me and other men. Unfortunately, what is clear and obvious in the Bible is not always clear and obvious in our homes, churches, and culture: Women are valuable and they are integral in Gods story of redemption from beginning to end.

Justin S. Holcomb, seminary professor, Episcopal priest, and coauthor of Rid of My Disgrace , God Made All of Me , and Is It My Fault?

Worthy tackles the difficult and often overlooked questions regarding Gods view of women. Youll see how God wove his redemptive message through heroic women throughout Scripture. Be ready to have your preconceived notions challenged and your faith encouraged. Because of that, its a must-read for all church and ministry leaders.

S. Michael and MeLissa Houdmann, cofounders, Got Questions Ministries

Elyse and Eric have written a book deserving of its title. Having been raised Methodist, converted to faith at an Assemblies of God church, and graduated from a Presbyterian seminary, I have heard virtually every angle and teaching on womenespecially their role in the church. Opinions abound! What makes Worthy stand out is that it starts and ends with Scripture. Worthy takes the reader on a journey through the Bible to discover what it says about this crucial topic. Backed by solid exegesis, great wit, and convicting insight, Worthy should be your go-to book to inform your theology of women. I enthusiastically recommend this book!

Scott Lindsey, executive director, Faithlife, makers of Logos Bible Software

Many misconceptions about womens place and worth in the church begin with misconceptions about what the Bible actually says. In advocating for the true worth and biblical roles of women, Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher beginand endwith the Bible. What they show may surprise some readers, affirms all women, and will serve the church well.

Karen Swallow Prior, PhD, author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books and Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist

This book is a word in due season. Eric and Elyse give us a powerful, convicting, and honest resource that the church so desperately needs. Beginning with a history of redemption, Worthy celebrates the story of women, while unveiling the story of Scripture. I was simultaneously convicted, challenged, and encouraged and believe that you will be too.