"Death comes
when our work is done, not before or after" (pg. 113).
Rebecca
VanDoodewaard has done the church a wonderful service in revising, expanding,
and correcting James I. Good's 1901 work, Famous
Women of the Reformed Church. Originally appearing as a series of
magazine articles, each chapter succinctly presents the life of one saint as a
"…biographical sketch--an introduction to a woman who could be the subject
of an entire book" (pg. xv). Through Reformation Women, VanDoodewaard successfully whets one's appetite to learn more about
the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us!
In her Introduction,
VanDoodewaard attempts to set the stage by detailing "…major events,
documents, and figures…to provide a larger context" (pg. xvii) so that
each chapter can focus on a specific woman. Unlike many modern works, she
selected "…believing women
who helped form our Reformed faith but who are largely unknown now" (pg. xi). Throughout Reformation Women, VanDoodewaard highlights the beauty in the
diversity of God's people:
"A range of
personalities, abilities, and positions gives us a sample spectrum of what
faithful, strong service to Christ and His church looked like then. These same
principles and examples are invaluable for helping women today bear fruit
within the broad boundaries that God gives us in His Word" (pg. xi).
Within the Preface
and Conclusion, VanDoodewaard considers some of the characteristics that were
common to all of these believing women: they were devoted, faithful, brave,
compassionate, and self-sacrificing; given to hospitality; stewarded their
intellectual abilities to understand Scripture, theology, correspond, etc.; and
sought, above all, to glorify Christ and build His Church. They weren't always
right, but God was faithful to use them to influence, protect, and multiply His
church. Reformation Women illustrates
that change truly is a process, not an event. VanDoodewaard honestly allows us to see both the
good and the bad in the lives of these saints so that God gets the glory rather than merely
elevating humankind.
One of the things
that I appreciate about this book is its emphasis on truly biblical womanhood. Through these
women, VanDoodewaard shows us that "Real femininity is strength--a
uniquely feminine strength that is tough and ladylike"
(pg. xiii). She shows us what Christ-centered, healthy marriages look like (and
some unhealthy ones!). She shows that there are times when it is appropriate
for a woman to submit to her husband and authorities (church and government)
and times when she should obey God rather than man. These women were not
doormats or mindless. Education was a high priority with God's Word being of
utmost importance. For example, Charlotte Arbaleste was involved in an odd case
of church discipline in which,
"She genuinely
believed that the local church was overstepping its bounds and was willing to
argue the point to keep her biblical freedom and clarify procedure. She could
only do this with integrity because she knew her Bible and church polity. The fact
that she was a woman in no way diminished her responsibility to understand the
denomination's ecclesiology and to speak out when it was being abused"
(pg. 59).
We desperately need
examples of women who submit to godly leadership, as well as, examples of women
who know when to stand their ground and fight for what is right, regardless of
the consequences.
The "…women of
that day were not just sitting around waiting for their husbands to do things:
they were reading, writing, and ruling. They were teaching children, sheltering
refugees, and balancing husbands. They directed armies, confronted kings, and
rebuked heretics" (pg. x). They comforted, encouraged, served, and
studied. As VanDoodewaard records:
"These women
were not hanging out on social media or mommy blogs, waiting for spiritual
maturity to happen. They actively pursued it: Bible reading, prayer, attendance
at worship (often several times a week), fellowship with the saints,
theological study and discussions, and conscious self-denial matured them into
usefulness that God blessed. Personal projects, comfort, and plans were
subservient to the mission of the Great Commission" (pg. 113).
Reformation Women isn't a book that seeks to
merely entertain the reader but is immensely practical. Many chapters close with a practical
application for modern Christian women, and the Conclusion fittingly brings the
book to a close by outlining seven application points that will strengthen the
church today based on common facts about these women's lives. Among them, she
shows how these women were able to live the way that they
did:
"Their goals were not a great weekend, or seeing kids through college, or
even helping with grand-children. Their goal, in different spheres, was the establishment
and flourishing of a strong and faithful church that would be there long after
they were gone. Because they were aiming for things beyond their life spans, it
gave perspective and purpose to their everyday actions. Thinking long term
gives us the ability to act meaningfully in the short term" (pg. 113).
That being said, Reformation Women isn't a "preachy"
book. These women's stories are absolutely fascinating. Filled with accounts of joy, sorrow, and
humor; victory and defeat, loyal friends and plotting enemies, I could hardly put this book down.
VanDoodewaard highlights both unusual deeds (fleeing in disguise, preventing
war, enduring persecution, and resisting arranged marriages) as well as
everyday faithfulness in the mundane. It is encouraging to see how God faithfully intervenes in
people's life circumstances to bring them to the Gospel and use them for His
glory, especially when it seems unlikely from a limited, human perspective.
Throughout this
book, I found myself longing for more details and jotting down questions for
further study. Mrs. VanDoodewaard successfully whetted my appetite for further
study, indeed. I would love to know more about how these women balanced their
many responsibilities, educated their children, managed their homes, etc., and
because her sources are well-documented
in footnotes, I know just where to turn for additional information!
Most importantly,
VanDoodewaard uses Reformation Women to point us to Christ and His
all-sufficiency in the midst of life, whether that's joy or sorrow,
peace or anxiety, prosperity or poverty, comfort or persecution, affliction,
exile, and/or death.
I'm grateful that
Rebecca's husband brought her Good's book, as well as, other resources and
supported this project with peanut butter cups and pizza for supper. I pray
that many will be encouraged to faithfully use what God has given them and
where He has placed them for His glory and trust that many will be blessed by
Mrs. VanDoodewaard's labor and sacrifice! :)
