When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference is, in my opinion, a must-read for all Christians. I absolutely loved it, and in many ways, it’s the book I wish I’d written.

Carolyn James’ main argument in this well-reasoned work is that Christians (including women) need theology. In my study of this text, I came away with two main truths:

1) Theology is necessary.
Recently, Joanna shared a specific example of Christians (women, in fact) who felt theology was irrelevant in their day-to-day living: ” several girls were like, I’m not really interested in theology. I thought, ’surely they can’t mean that. They must not understand.’ So I explained to them what I meant by theology, and this is the response I got: ‘I read my Bible, but other than that, who cares? We will know whatever we need to when we get to heaven’” (taken from “theology,” published 5-6-05). I marvel at such conclusions because they do not at all reflect a correct understanding of God or desire to know Him.

“Sooner or later, life’s difficulties bring every Christian woman to God’s doorstep with questions too personal to ignore” (back cover). I believe this is true. No matter how “easy” life may be presently, you can guarantee yourself that hard situations will come. “None of us can afford a theology that cannot withstand the pressures of the war zone, that fits only within a world of comfort and pleasure, where all our ducks are in neat rows and the pieces fit neatly together” (James 95). When a trial comes, you will cling to what you know of God.

2) Theology is desireable.
I say this as someone who is daily amazed at the riches of salvation and continuously stunned (doctrinally and practically) by learning more of God. My alma mater allowed me the incredible privilege of being taught God and led in personal study of Him. Dr. O’s “biography of God” is a treasure (if you are unfamiliar with this, basically the idea centers around studying God’s Word with the intent of learning about Him. i.e. - He is good, loving, fair, etc. The more you glean, the more you know of Him). The apostle Paul evidenced a similar desire with these words: Philippians 3:10 “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

These two seemingly simple nuggets of truth are not the only jewels in James’ book. A wealth of encouragement, challenge, and completely Biblically-centered teaching awaits you. Although I cannot endorse absolutely every statement she makes, overall I found her words to be highly beneficial. For so long, I’ve wished for an awakening in women - that they would hunger for their God. A book very much like this was brewing inside of me. =) James beat me to it and did so beautifully.