The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules

Throughout this book, The Gospel of Ruth you see the hand of God and His faithfulness to the widow(s). I never understood the things that Carolyn Custis James said in this book revealing God's faithfulness and His interwoven plan for redemption.

Having studied with Frank James several years ago during ThM studies, I heard teasers from him of Carolyn's insights and abilities as a writer. Having just finished The Gospel of Ruth, I can truthfully say that Dr. James was understating the case! I had translated, studied and taught on Ruth before, but after hearing Carolyn speak on it briefly at a conference some time ago, I eagerly awaited this volume. Without understatement, this book was like the red pill in the Matrix for me- awakening me to a whole new world in the book of Ruth. But unlike the Matrix real world, the world of Ruth is a redemptive-rich reality in which the more I saw, the more I wanted to see. I am now eagerly preparing a sermon series on the book of Ruth for our church next year as my heart yearns to show them the beauties of redemption that lie within the book of Ruth. Please buy and read this book. It will challenge you on so many levels, but the challenge will come through a world of hesed and grace that will take your breath away and leave you longing for more!

This book is a serious, scholarly dig into the Bible's book of Ruth, but reads so easily it was almost novel-like. I've read Ruth, studied Ruth, and even read other books on the topic, but this book brought my understanding of it to a new level altogether. Carolyn Custis James does an amazing job of setting the cultural backdrop, which really puts the story into a different light than I've ever heard before. She challenges "traditional" views regarding submission, the role of women in God's story, and even what the book of Ruth has to offer. This book tells the tale of Ruth - her pain, her courage, and her dedication to her mother-in-law Naomi - while still demonstrating that God is at the center of the story. Instead of focusing on the love story between Ruth and Boaz, James shows the relationships between them, as well as Naomi, in a completely different light. She reveals how their actions were risky, courageous, and deeply self-sacrificing, done out of love for and trust in God. James, through examining the well-known story, seeks to answer the question, "Is God good for women?" Even poor, barren, widowed women in a patriarchical society? Can God still have a purpose, and see it through, for women in painful circumstances? Instead of trivializing pain and giving trite answers, the author delves into the sorrows of infertility and losing a husband, and even shares about her own pain. In a very seamless and authentic way, she then leads the reader to examine Ruth's story, where God's purposes prevail against all odds.

I started reading this book a bit skeptical that a whole new perspective of the story of Ruth was going to be revealed by Carolyn James, but I was profoundly mistaken! This is a fascinating book, and James has done a tremendous job in researching and explaining the biblical text. By expertly teaching about the historical context of ancient Israel, James reveals the deep meanings and undertones found in the book of Ruth that remain hidden to the typical reader. James also bridges the time-gap by applying the truths and principles found in Ruth to our lives. Many times that sort of application can feel like a stretch, but not here. Okay, but is this book just for women? Definitely not. First, it's wonderful exegesis of biblical text. Granted the story of Ruth contains women, but that shouldn't impact the readership. Yes, many of the applications are for women, but not exclusively. Think that submission, love, kindness, generosity, etc. are primarily female virtues...then you need to read this book! Highly recommended.

Wow!!! Carolyn takes a fresh perspective and gentle approach toward the book of Ruth. This book gently peels back the traditional lenses of Church Theology, male egotism, and various other biases that are normally associated with this often overlooked book of the Bible. She paints Ruth as a female version of Job, and takes her time to reveal the many aspect of Ruth's story. Carolyn does a beautiful job in taking the reader into the mind of Ruth and allowing us to walk in her shoes. Simply put, this is a WOW book. Once you read it, that will be the first thing you say. So many of us think we know the book of Ruth and all it has to offer....but after reading this book, you might be surprised.....

I was very encouraged as I read "The Gospel of Ruth." Carolyn's descriptions of "hesed" took my understanding of God's love to a deeper lever. I was challenged to truly believe and live out the fact that God is constantly and intimately involved in all areas of my life. I was riveted to the pages of this book and highly recommend it to others.