Reviewed by: Hannah Perry, Professional Writing major at Taylor University

Introduction

Title: Femmevangelical: The Modern Girl’s Guide to the Good News

Author: Jennifer D. Crumpton

Publisher: Chalice Press

Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Format: Paperback

Length: 155 pages

OVERVIEW

Jennifer Crumpton was born and reared in a Southern Baptist church, and traditional Christianity was hammered into her week after week. Exhausted from this lifestyle, she slid out of the “Bible belt” to allow herself to breathe. One Thanksgiving evening, Crumpton, her life in scattered shards, jumped into a taxi with a strange cab driver who happened to change her life forever. Since then, Crumpton has advocated for a feminist, self-motivated approach to a personal relationship with God. Frustrated by the idea of a male-dominated religion, she finds her own beliefs in her individual relationship with God. Throughout a history of oppression and silence in the presence of men, women have only emerged stronger, throwing off their sinful biblical reputation. Crumpton believes in a God who loves both genders equally and in a world of women who can grasp their full potential without limitation or rejection.

Crumpton has a fresh, daring perspective of the meaning of a relationship with God. I was able to support some of her ideas about a feminist world where women are empowered and capable of all that men can do. However, I struggle to align with her opinions about the redundancy of traditional religion and the antiquated nature of the Bible. Many of her points at are odds with my core beliefs, and I can’t help but feel uneasy at her disregard of older values and truths.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

3 out of 5 stars

Suggested Audience

Best for adult women. There are sections of theology and history, but anyone seeking an understanding of our God may find insight in this book.

Christian Impact

Crumpton offers encouragement to those who struggle with finding their place within the traditional church setting. She urges women to find their feminist faith and not buy into the idea of masculine superiority, especially in the church. Along the way, she declares her own testimony of how she came to understand God’s love not as a subservient girl but as an empowered leader and, most importantly, a woman. However, since she challenges several core Christian beliefs, seeking other sources of knowledge in this area and praying for guidance would be beneficial in building a strong foundation of faith.

Hannah Perry studies Professional Writing at Taylor University.

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