A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head and Calling Her Husband “Master” is a provocative and fun book that pushes back against some of the extremes of the modern biblical womanhood movement. The basic tone is tounge-in-cheek, but if you are able to look past that it is a hilarious meditation on what the Bible does and does not say about women. The book is full of pictures and descriptions.

The premise of the book is that the author, Rachel Held Evans, spent an entire year practicing “biblical womanhood.” In truth, she practiced an overly-literal interpretation of biblical womanhood, but she did it to show the ways many people pick and choose Bible verses to use against women. Each month has a basic to-do list with some more specific items in it centered on a basic “biblical womanhood” virtue, but some of the principles were applicable for the whole year. Throughout the year she followed the “Biblical Woman’s Ten Commandments:”

1. Thou shalt submit to thy husband’s will in all things.
2. Thou shalt devote thyself to the duties of the house.
3. Thou shalt mother.
4. Thou shalt nurture a gentle and quiet spirit.
5. Thou shalt dress modestly.
6. Thou shalt cover thy head when in prayer.
7. Thou shalt not cut thy hair.
8. Thou shalt not teach in church.
9. Thou shalt not gossip.
10. Thou shalt not have authority over a man.

I warn that this book will likely appeal to younger audiences more than older audiences. I could see where some would be bothered by the sense of humor, but anyone intrigued by it should give it a try. If you’re offended by the idea I would encourage you to consider giving it a try. I’d love to discuss your thoughts over a cup of coffee.

• You can purchase a copy here.
• Evans passed away several years ago, but her website is still available and has many blog articles and other intriguing content. See it here.