10 Lies the Church Tells Women

This is a very timely and much needed book examining both the historical and contemporary role of women in the Church and focuses on studying the biblical texts that have been used to justify and maintain male dominance and female submission. It is well written, with clear and concise research and examples to support the author's arguments. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in women's issues and the God intended role of women in the Church

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of women in ministry. I grew up in a very strick, fundamentalist Baptist church in the South and it has taken me years of prayer and study to discard the lies I had been taught and to discover the truth of what God really says in His Word about women. I have always felt a call to ministry but for the first 30 years of my life was held in bondage to a man-made doctrine based on fear and a desire to "keep women in their place." I find it very interesting that those who give this book a low rating usually come from that same background. If you hear something often enough, even a lie can begin to sound like the truth. Thank God for J. Lee Grady!

I had the privilege of hearing David Yonggi Cho speak at a conference last July, pastor of the largest church in the world, which hails, not 10,000 but 700,000 members. As Grady points out in this book, one of the secrets to the church's success is because women are actively involved in the spiritual leadership of its members. This is a fact with which many other denominations have grappled, as Yonggi Cho states as quoted in Grady's book, (properly footnoted, I might add). Concerning accusations in earlier reviews that Grady twists the Scripture or uses faulty interpretations: unlike many others who make claims, not only does Grady first admit that his book isn't the Gospel itself and thus is open to debate, he aids his readers by properly citing all of his sources; if you have an issue with an interpretation, by all means, find the source that he, like a true scholar, provided and make up your own mind. You should be doing this even if you do believe what he says. I'm also somewhat stunned by a previous reader's parallel of the Fall to a thief stealing bread. I'll address this since I'm sure others have the same mentality. Having read the review, I find myself wondering if this reader has a proper grasp of the Christian faith that I assume he follows. Yes, there are consequences as a result of a thief stealing bread. However, the incredibly wonderful aspect of Christianity is that the thief will not have to rot in jail, even after apologizing and returning the bread because someone else (namely Christ) has already served time in his place. I fail to see how Eve's curse of subordination should not be wiped clean by Christ's sacrifice just as ALL other sins were wiped away. By saying otherwise, one is either assuming that the first woman's sin was simply too great for even the Son of God, or that simply dismissing Paul's statement of "...For there is neither male nor female, for all are one in Christ" as only applying to the afterlife. Grady, on the otherhand is a strong proponent of the fully redemptive qualities of Jesus Christ and thus attempts to unearth long held prejudices against woman by basing his arguments on this foundational premise. If one is willing to admit that Jesus loves woman too, one might see that Grady makes several good arguments. (On a side note, I would also like to add stealing bread when one is starving is no longer a crime. One no longer has to serve 10 years of hard labor as in the case of Jean Valjean in Les Miserable, which the previous writer appears to be referencing.) I think one of Grady's greatest accomplishment in this book wasn't presenting and attempting to refute 10 Lies (I think he succeeded, by the way) but rather exposing the reader to the multitude of ways in which woman have contributed to the ministry both in the past and in the present. If anyone thinks that woman should be satisfied with baking cookies when she feels the call to ministry, I strongly urge them to take a look at this book and pe

To be honest, I really was not particularly interested in this book when someone gave it to me to read. But, when I started to read it, I got hooked and breezed through it quickly. It is easy reading, but not short on substance or thought-provoking insight.I considered myself to be fairly flexible on Women's issues, but I learned that I had accepted a number of distorted views of men and women which are predominant within Christianity. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." I learned a lot of truth in this book, which has set me free. Some of the misunderstanding that Christians have of gender roles is very binding, not only of women, but also of men. After reading one chapter (I started with chapter 10 because I did not think I would be interested in reading the whole book), I realized the implications of some of what I had believed and saw that they were a root cause to some of the difficulties I had in my own marriage. Because of its practical nature and the release it can bring to both men and women, I strongly recommend this book--especially for men!

In his book 10 LIES THE CHURCH TELLS WOMEN, J. Lee Grady makes a clear and timely call to the Church. He challenges the misguided limitations placed on women, both in the home and in ministry, that have been sanctioned by the Church for centuries-whether through unscriptural teaching or by simply being silent on the issue. While he is not the first to tackle this subject, his approach is refreshing. Tones of compassion and boldness are intertwined in such a way as to help heal hurts and build confidence in women whose valuable gifting and ministries have too often been suppressed. By including the background and cultural setting in which the New Testament was written, Grady provides a clearer view of the Scripture and context surrounding some of the most quoted passages used to limit women in ministry. Also, the inclusion of quotations from noted historical figures reveals how these "lies" have been transferred from one generation to another. J. Lee Grady's passion for women to be spiritually liberated is evident, and thanks to his new book many will finally learn the truth concerning God's view of "His daughters." Women are sure to be released from spiritual bondage and encouraged as they step out in assurance and boldness to fulfill their destiny in Christ. In addition to women, I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in ministry. It reminds us to be sensitive to the ministry of others and alerts us to what God's Spirit is saying to the Church.