From Genesis to Junia by Preston Sprinkle

About the Book:

What does the Bible really say about women serving in positions of leadership in the church? It’s one of the church’s most debated and divisive topics. Many Christians read Scripture in light of preconceived conclusions, rather than engaging in a patient and thorough study of what the Bible actually says.

From Genesis to Junia offers something rare: an honest journey through Scripture that begins with questions rather than answers. With theological rigor and a pastor’s heart, Preston Sprinkle opens the Bible with fresh eyes and invites us along as he examines key passages from Genesis to Revelation―weighing historical context, interacting with a variety of scholarly perspectives, and holding familiar views up to Scripture. This informative and spiritually profound book provides:

• A respectful challenge to both complementarian and egalitarian assumptions
• Insightful analysis of texts such as 1 Corinthians 11, Romans 16, and 1 Timothy 2
• A model for navigating controversial topics in the church

This open-hearted approach to a complex issue offers a healthy example for dialoguing about tough theological questions. Readers will walk away not with superficial answers but with biblical confidence, deeper understanding, and a gracious posture for engaging with others.

My Review:

Sprinkle took years to do an in depth and comprehensive study on what the Bible says about women and their place in the church. He lays out his extensive studies on the major passages, starting at Genesis. He goes into detail on critical passages, looking at the original languages and what other scholars have written. I like his exploration of what a leader is like and how one acts according to Jesus. I like his complete examination of Phoebe and what it means if she was, in fact, the carrier of Paul's letter, something most scholars agree on.

Some of his work may get a little scholarly but he tells readers at the end how he pared down this work to make it as accessible as possible to the general Christian reader. I think he has done an amazing job. I highly recommend this book. And no, I am not going to tell you his conclusion because I want you read the book and find out for yourself.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

About the Author:

Preston Sprinkle (PhD) is a biblical scholar, international speaker, podcaster, and New York Times–bestselling author who’s written over a dozen books including Exiles, Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? and From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership. Preston currently serves as the president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. He’s also the president of Theology in the Raw ministries, which includes the popular Theology in the Raw podcast and the annual Exiles in Babylon conference.

David C Cook, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)