Wendy Alsup, says the blurb, "enjoys teaching theology to women." That's what she's done at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, and that's what she does in this book.
The title calls this practical theology, but the term is not used in a way that sets practical theology apart as a specific type of theology. The point Wendy Alsup is making by using this term is that the study of theology, defined as "the study of God and deep religious truth," affects our lives in a very practical way. Theology, she says, "is the root, foundation, and framework for practical living...." She is using the term, I think, in order to appeal to those who believe that theology is something for the intellectuals or the super-spirituals in the church, but not something useful for the average Joe or--considering the intended audience for this book--Jane Christian.
But why have a theology book aimed specifically at women? Because most theology books are written by men for readers who are predominately men. By writing a theology book intended for women, Alsup hopes to "fight the unspoken mentality that theology is for men, while parenting, sewing, or dieting classes are for women."
Essentially, this is a very basic, entry level book of doctrine. It is more elementary than any entry level theology book I've seen. It's shorter, too, at 150 pages, and written in a more conversational style. I'd judge it to be geared for the lay person with no previous interest in theology.
There are three main sections in Practical Theology for Women: What Is Theology?, Who Is Our God?, and Communicating with Our God. The first section discusses the meaning of theology and faith and how they are related. The second section, which I think of as the heart of the book, looks at the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives. God is our Father, the sovereign, compassionate, wise one who disciplines us, the Son is our Saviour, our example, our bridegroom, the one with whom we are intimately united, and the Spirit is our helper and sanctifier. The third section examines communication with God--our communication with him through prayer and his communication with us through his word.
The teaching is straight and true. The choice of content, for a book intended for beginners in theology, is exactly right. Considering the target audience, the conversational tone and organization is best, too.
If you read Charnock or Edwards, like some women I know, you'll probably find this book too basic for you. Likewise, I suppose, if you've had a college level course in systematic theology or doctrine and paid any attention. But for the majority of Christian women I know, this book would be perfect. Wendy Alsup does an excellent job of making the deeper things of God easy to understand for someone who has absolutely no background in theology. The best use for Practical Theology for Women, as I see it, would be in a group study for women, where women can use it to spur each other on in the study of who God is and what he does.
