Your Inner Eve: Discovering God's Woman Within [Paperback]

Rev. Dr. Susan Newman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2005

In the refreshingly candid Oh God!, the Reverend Dr. Susan Newman–a United Church of Christ minister and senior adviser for religious affairs to the mayor of Washington, D.C.–showed African American women of faith how to reconcile their spiritual and sexual selves. Now, in this empowering new book, written with her accessible blend of comforting straight talk and down-to-earth humor, Dr. Newman encourages you to discover your “Inner Eve”–the “original you” that embodies the feminine expression of God’s Spirit. This Inner Eve is the keeper of self-esteem, intuition, and creative nature. She is your best self, your champion, your protector. She is not afraid, she is not ashamed; she is strong and vital to your well-being.

As Dr. Newman reveals, negative feelings such as emptiness, self-doubt, and self-hatred can be overcome by nurturing and strengthening your Inner Eve. An awakened Inner Eve inspires women to take action, improve their lives, and find their voice. Emboldened by the Inner Eve, women can see how their gifts can change their life–and the world around them.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Newman shares encouraging thoughts and some inspired biblical exegesis in this brief book about black women's spirituality. Her short chapters cover topics such as prayer ("Eve Powered Up!") and forthrightness ("Eve Speaking Up!"), each dwelling initially on a passage of scripture. Newman's application of these passages is often impressive. In a chapter on epiphanies, she revisits the story in John's gospel of Jesus healing a man who had been sitting beside healing waters for 38 years, waiting for his chance to get in. Newman points out that people often spend their lives seeking ineffective solutions to their problems, when God usually has a real solution, if only they would receive it. Alongside these thoughtful interpretations, however, is a good deal of clichéd advice. For example, Newman frequently encourages her readers to take care of themselves before they give to others—a good idea, perhaps, but one that has saturated self-help literature for years and one to which Newman adds little. Further, Newman throws in a good deal of content related to sexuality (particularly sexual abuse and domestic violence), but does not connect it in any clear way to the rest of the book. These flaws, along with her liberal theology, will put off some readers, but many are sure to appreciate the book's easy-to-read, inspiring tone.
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Review

“Susan’s gift is her ability to help us understand that we’re not just standing on the ledge by ourselves; her open and honest testimony encourages us to learn more about what unites us. Read this book.”
–TERRIE WILLIAMS, author of A Plentiful Harvest and Stay Strong

“No matter what religion you practice, you will be encouraged and guided to recognize the divine core in each of us, and to live your life as the powerful being God intended.”
–LORI S. ROBINSON, author of I Will Survive: The African-American Guide to Healing from Sexual Assault and Abuse

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine (January 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345450809
• ISBN-13: 978-0345450807
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars To Go Boldly Where You've Never Gone Before, August 25, 2005

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Your Inner Eve: Discovering God's Woman Within (Paperback)

The Reverend Dr. Susan Newman opens YOUR INNER EVE by asking "Have you felt there was another you - not a mini me but another expression of yourself - a part of yourself waiting for permission to speak?" The Inner Eve is defined as the feminine expression of God's spirit residing in each of us. Throughout life's journey, we may have lost touch with our Inner Eve because of societal issues, shifts in self-esteem, and faltering faith. In order for us to sense the presence of the Holy Spirit around us and re-connect with our Inner Eve, we must allow our rational mind and our intuition to unite as one. There are seven chapters, plus a resource guide, contained in this powerful book. Each chapter addresses some aspect of the Inner Eve theory, such as proclaiming your power, walking in purpose, and being a goddess - just to name a few! This is the book that will make you stop, pause and evaluate who you are, where you are, and where you want to go!

From introduction, INNER EVE had me enthralled with its flowing messages. In chapter one - Eve Where Are You?, we learn from the creation story to not speak to snakes. No, we're probably not going to see the actual serpent that Eve saw slithering around and talking to her in the Garden, but snakes are people in our lives that will attempt to deceive us, upset our personal utopias and bring heartbreak to God. This chapter coupled with the other chapters reminds us to be cognizant of our surroundings and to create our own joy by what we gather in our minds, spirits and surroundings.

The messages contained in INNER EVE are written in a clear, conversational manner that sparks a new understanding. The pearls of wisdom shared by Dr. Newman are insightful and offer great opportunities for self-reflection. If you are a Christian woman seeking a closer relationship with God, I urge you to do some self-exploration with this great book!

Reviewed by Nedine
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers