Book Review: The Bible and Women
by Gordon Ferguson

By Sharon Metzger, Boxborough, Massachusetts, USA

Gordon Ferguson’s The Bible and Women: How Did I Miss So Much? takes on the big question: what role should women have in the church? Some readers will feel he pushes the boundaries too far, others not far enough—but either way, he adds valuable insights to the conversation.

What sets this book apart is its focus. Many conversations about the women’s role in the church focus on two “women must be silent/quiet” passages (1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:11-12). Gordon quotes Scot McKnight in The Blue Parakeet: 

“Gravitating to these passages for this discussion is like asking about marriage in the Bible and gravitating toward the divorce texts. Talking marriage through the divorce texts is beyond short-sighted, if not distorting.”

Instead, Gordon asks a better question: What are women actually doing in the Bible when things are working according to God’s will? The answer is, quite a lot. From the Old Testament to the New, examples of female leadership are there—sometimes overlooked, sometimes hiding in plain sight. 

Gordon also reminds us that Christianity has always been about meeting people where they are. Reflecting on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, Gordon writes: 

“To influence the most people possible, we need to adjust to everything in current culture that we can without violating God’s stated will.” 

That balance—faithfulness to God without clinging to man-made traditions—feels central to his argument. It’s not about bending to modern culture or erring toward “safe” interpretations. It’s a deeper question about how we allow God’s Spirit to move, and how we can support women in a world that is often dismissive or abusive.

One of my favorite chapters is his discussion of male–female relationships in spiritual formation. Instead of trying to solve issues of temptation with dress codes and distance, Gordon suggests learning to see each other as true brothers and sisters in Christ. When men view women as equals—intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually—the temptation to entertain impure thoughts toward them loses its power. Respect and investment in healthy relationships go further than rules ever could. As Gordon writes: 

“The subject of men and women relationships in the church is far more important than simply getting our doctrine right. It is about getting our relationships right. And since relationships are the most important thing in God’s world, you can safely assume that his doctrines are going to aid those relationships, not hinder them.”

At the heart of the book is this conviction: truth must trump our traditions. Even if you don’t agree with every conclusion, Gordon challenges us to read the Bible with fresh eyes and ask hard questions about how we treat women in the church today.

Who should read it? If you’ve ever wrestled with the question of women’s place in church life or leadership—or if you’ve only ever heard one side of the conversation—this book is well worth your time.

The Bible and Women by Gordon Ferguson is available from Illumination Publishers and Amazon in paperback and as an ebook.

About Sharon Metzger

Sharon has been part of the Boston Church for 40 years, building on a family heritage in the mainline Churches of Christ. She studied technical writing at an engineering school with a 3:1 brother-to-sister ratio and has spent her career in the tech industry, often as one of the few women in the room. Growing up with one sister and no brothers, and later spending a decade in single sisters’ households, gave her an appreciation for women’s relationships and community. She has been married to Michael for over 25 years, and together they have two college-aged sons. Today, Sharon serves the Boston Church as a member of the Board of Directors and as an EMS Ambassador. (The above article represents Sharon's views.)