A prophetic voice for women and men alike. Erin speaks to the inequality that women experience on a daily basis in our lopsided society. A must read for every young woman and young man coming of age in today’s society.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for this reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

"The work of equality must include women of every age and ethnicity, as well as men who will be allies, advocates, and partners for the journey. But even more than that, if women are ever going to be fully free and equal in modern culture, it is going to take the voice of the church calling loudly for that equality. As one of the primary guardians - we might even say architects - of the patriarchy, the church must play a critical role in dismantling the language, the worldview, and the systems that tilt the tables in favor of men."

Erin Wathen has been able to do something I cannot. She can believe the Church wants to dismantle the language, worldview, and systems that uphold patriarchy. I do not, and can not, hold that belief. Up until 2017, I had spent my career in faith-based non-profit organizations, two of them churches, being exposed to the hypocrisy of men in the Church regarding equality for women. They know it is the "right" thing to say but they don't want it...at all. And many of the women in the Church don't want it either because they still believe, from all those bible studies and sermons that have told them so, that to want equality is sinful and makes you a flaming feminist - which is also a sin. BUT. But the Church loves and esteems women, I mean Jesus came from a woman after all. My eyes are going to get stuck if I roll them any further back in my head. It's all a bunch of bullshit. What needs to happen is the Church needs to be dismantled in order for any real and lasting change to happen for women's rights, for racism to end, for pro-life movements to actually be about life and not the fetus and men exerting control over women's bodies, for really all of our broken systems to undergo a transformation the Church as a whole needs to be dismantled. But I digress. Back to the book Wathen penned.

As I said, Wathen is able to do something I cannot, as might be evidenced from what I just said above. And because she believes the Church can do it she spends her time in this book thoughtfully examining the issues women have interacting in this white man's world and how the Church can address it. It's an ambitious goal for the Church and if 2016-present is any indication of how the Church at large feels about women and their rights, it's not a goal the Church is interested in pursuing. Note I say the Church as the large, global Church. Certainly, there are small, regional churches that are interested in that ambitious goal and are doing what they can in their own space to ensure equality between genders, etc. But THE Church? It won't happen because too many white men (and a few BIPOC ones as well) have built literal family businesses out of pastoring mega churches and they can't fathom giving up the money and the prestige (idolatry) that come with their name - even to ensure their very own wives and daughters have a voice. If I sound cynical or pissed it's because I am. If I sound disgusted it's because I am.

I appreciated Erin Wathen's voice speaking into this. I agreed with much of what she said and I admire her hope and faith in an institution that lets down half of its population (and truth be told women probably make up more than half of the Church population) day in and day out. We need people like Wathen to continue to believe the Church will get its head out of its ass and do the right thing, not just for women but for all marginalized groups.

I mostly enjoyed this book. There were a lot of good points that I enjoyed but I found at times I disagreed with the author's perspective and language. However it was a book that made me think and reflect - and I always appreciate books that make me do that!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's so necessary for women of faith to know that we have a major role in the fight for equality and intersectionality in feminism. A great read and very thought provoking: I will be buying a hard copy soon to share amongst my friends.

A timely and informative book. It's that kind of social commentary you leave on your coffee table for guests to thumb through and to passively communicate some of where you stand on pressing issues.

Who Shouldn’t Read this Book?
People with closed minds probably shouldn’t read the book. It will just make you mad and argumentative and raise your blood pressure. You’ll dig deeper into your trench and cover yourself with the satisfaction that you aren’t one of THOSE people.

People who have a problem with a little swearing, probably shouldn’t read the book. Personally, I prefer to read my books (especially ones that have a Christian bent) with G-rated language. But I’ll set aside my prudish proclivities and delve into a PG book. After all, every writer knows that a well-placed cuss word might help an author get her point across better. The value of the content far outweighs the mild expletives.

People who believe that microaggressions don’t exist and that they haven’t a racist or sexist cell in their body probably shouldn’t read the book. After all, all the evidence in the world won’t budge their self-concepts.

People who believe everything they read probably shouldn’t read the book. All books come along with the author’s biases and views on the things they research. There are a few things in the book that I’ll revisit and study on my own.

People who think discussing ideas can ruin friendships probably shouldn’t read this book. We don’t have to agree with our friend’s ideas to remain friends. Furthermore, our friends’ ideas help shape and inform us so that we can do better. (And if you only hang out with people who are just like you, you’re missing out on an awful lot).

But Really…

Who am I kidding? I think everyone should read the book along with a friend. They should use the discussion questions at the end of each chapter to start honest conversations. All those bad ‘isms’ haven’t gone away. The world still struggles because of them. It’s time to invite everyone to the table and see what we can do.

In order to avoid walking away from the table with a savior complex though, we must listen, ask questions, and learn to empower others. We must admit that some of us have privilege and some don’t—and that we aren’t entitled to that privilege.

I received an electronic copy of this book through a collaboration with the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I only post reviews of books I really like on Goodreads and my own site.

Women are inching their way toward equality, but haven't yet arrived. There's much room left for progress.

Erin Wathen in Resist and Persist points out that specifically the voice of the church should get louder in calling for more equality.

This book is a moving collection of many different ways that faith can advance the fight for equality for the good of all. Not just for women. Men also benefit when women are empowered. "Good news for women is good news for everyone."

As Wathen clarifies, women's issues aren't ultimately only about women; they are humanitarian issues.

Wathen calls for churches to to break free of only "pink ghetto" ministries for women. She suggests that people with privilege learn to amplify the voices of those with less privilege. She says we shouldn't only make room for others at our table, but we should also show up at theirs.

This book goes deep in exposing our wounds. It will make you uncomfortable in places.

But it doesn't leave us there. Wathen shows us how we can use our words as healing properties to move the conversations forward in healthy directions.

This is everyone's fight. "Women, get other women's backs. Men, step in more often."

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to raise their awareness of the systemic issues of inequality in our culture, and who wants to find hope for its improvement, both within our faith communities and outside of them.

"This is about the systemic silencing of literally half of the world—and half of the body of Christ—and it is far past time we ended it, together."

My thanks to Net Galley for the review copy of this book.

Michelle is not an author who writes just Biblical scripture, no she writes from a personal perspective how God’s word keeps her real. How following Jesus, son of God and the Holy Spirit aligns her life with Him. Not just by brushing the surface of His words, but digging deeper into the root of who we are. Each chapter invites us not only to read her story, but to delve into our own. And by the end, you will have a closer knowledge of the True You.

(I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)


I requested this book by Erin Wathen I'm very interested in the subject of gender equality in the church. This book covers the subject in ten chapters ranging from representation to attitudes about abortion.
I think, once again, I picked a book for which I wasn't the target audience. I think I'm the right age--late 20s/early 30s--, but something about the tone made me feel like it wasn't for me. Her written language seemed to be more for younger Millenials and/or those that are newer to a feminist mindset.


I do recommend this book. If you are already in a feminist mindset, this book will probably settle with you nicely. It mostly did with me, save for a few passages. If you’re not, it may give some insight.


I do wish there were more practical examples and more Biblical examples. That would have gone farther with me.

This book is badass and amazing. Combining Christian ideals with morality for women. if you loved Sarah Bessey's works (seriously, any of them) this will be up your alley...it is just a bit harsher, and more blunt which I personally loved. Will definitely be buying and purchasing additional copies as gifts.