A Lineage of Grace: Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity by Francine Rivers

A Lineage of Grace: Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity Reviews

• 
  Laura

  I am a big fan of historical fiction, and historical fiction that stirs my affection for the Lord is even better. I really enjoyed these five stories. In each book I was struck by how awesome God is -- that he would use such broken, unremarkable people in such amazing ways. A prostitute, a foreigner, an adulteress, a peasant -- all used by God, ultimately leading to the birth of the son of the God of the Universe.
  
  The stories themselves are also enjoyable and quick reading. I am familiar with each woman as they are written about in scripture, but have never been able to relate to them as actual people as much as I have through Rivers' stories. They were real women who experienced grief, uncertainty, significant times of waiting and suffering. Women who experienced deep shame and deep love, and who were beautifully redeemed by God's grace -- again and again.
  
  A good read.
• 
  Meredith White

  Overall, this book was a terrific read, and it was difficult for me to put it down, because it was easy, intriguing and engaging. I appreciated the addition of the Bible study incorporated at the end of each novella, even though I did not engage myself in them. I was more interested in reading the book rather than lengthen the time by engaging in the Bible study at this time.
  
  Particularly, I am looking for leadership principles and this gave five women, each of historic and Biblical validity and focused on their circumstance, how they responded, and what they learned. The greatest learning I received in general from all five women was that while their circumstances we extenuating, they always did the RIGHT thing no matter the cost or outcome. It was easy for me to give them the answer as I read, but that was because I knew the outcome; however, if I were to put myself in their position would I have responded similarly - without confidence of a 'happy ending'?
  
  Walking away from the book, I feel encouraged, strengthened and challenged myself to consider my life and how I am using in accordance with God's plan and purpose for my life? Am I seeking after Him? Do I really trust Him and His purpose? Have I really given my life to Him, and abandoned all others?
  
  Great book - good read! Looking forward to more of Francine Rivers.
• 
  Adrienne

  A magnificent book. Francine Rivers has told the story of five biblical women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. Rivers has fleshed out of their stories to guessimate their feelings, hopes, fears and eventual understanding of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. Unputdownable.
• 
  Lori Keeton

  Francine Rivers is considered to be a frontrunner in Christian fiction and many may be familiar with her Redeeming Love which showcased her background in historical romance while connecting the story of Hosea from the Bible into the gold rush of California in the 1850’s. My favorite trilogy was the Mark of the Lion set in Jerusalem in 70 AD - in which we follow the persecution of a Christian slave girl during a time when Rome was in control. I read these about 10 years ago and loved them. This summer, my Sunday school ladies group decided to read A Lineage of Grace as our summer Bible study which compiles 5 novellas into one. Each one focuses on a different woman from the Bible - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary - who played a part of the lineage of Christ. I thought the concept sounded wonderful, to be able to dive deeper into the lives of these biblical women.
  
  However, as my reading of these novellas began, I could tell that I was not going to enjoy these as much. I am very familiar with each of these stories from the Bible and wondered how Rivers would approach her retelling of their stories. What I found was repetitive writing, overdramatizing, and a modern romancey vibe at times that I didn’t find realistic. The biblical stories were present but the interpretations by the author could, in my opinion, hinder one’s understanding of the original accounts. These being fictionalized accounts of Bible stories, the dialogues were created by the author as well as many circumstances that “may have” happened the way they were portrayed. I find this very tricky to do to without fear of adding to the Bible. I could see that a reading of Bathsheba’s novella could cloud the biblical story with some of the liberties taken. In this account, Bathsheba is portrayed as the sexual aggressor and having a desire to marry David from her childhood. I didn’t really buy into much of the speculation taken in these stories at the end of the day.
• 
  Rachel

  This book is a mixture of 5 different women's stories from the Bible. I think the biggest obstacle for any writer tackling the Bible is turning it into somewhat of a fiction story while still keeping the original message in tact. I loved the first two stories immensely (Tamar and Rahab). Not a lot of information is in the Old Testament about the two women and the way Francine wove in historical information and their faith really inspired me. Ruth was decent, but by Bathsheba, I was losing interest. Mary was ok as well. I did get some out of that story that I wasn't expecting to. As a whole, I would recommend just reading Tamar and Rahab.
• 
  Sarah Marie

  Unveiled- the story of Tamar and Judah was told in a different way, but was immersed in historical context and Biblical truth. 5 stars
  Unashamed- the story of Rahab and Salmon (the spy who goes to Canaan). This story was suspenseful and founded on hope and faith. I loved the intensity and Rahab's character. 5 stars
  Unshaken- the story of Ruth and Boaz (as well as Naomi). The only book based off of an entire book in the Bible instead of a chapter or passages. This story is well-known and I enjoyed it, but their were some authorial preferences I didn't care for. 4.5 stars
  Unspoken- the story of Bathsheba and King David. Famous for being an adulterer and never anything outside of that this story shows Bathsheba's devotion to God and how she raised her children after her own sin and shame. 5 stars
  Unafraid- the story of Mary and Joseph- the mother and step-father of Jesus Christ. A gripping tale full of emotion and hope. It was heartbreaking and hopeful. I walked away from it with a deeper love of Jesus. 5 stars (my favorite of the collection)
  
  I plan on doing an actual review of this novel and its comprehensive collection. Until then, here are my brief thoughts. Review to come.
• 
  Kathy

  These 5 woman in the linage of Christ are simply amazing ladies! Francine Rivers tells their stories in such a heart warming way. You laugh, cry, get angry and truly feel for each of them. I have read their stories several times over the years in the Bible account but never really felt that I understood them like I do now! Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. It's no wonder they are listed in the blood line of Christ. Francine follows the Biblical account but has researched the historical aspects to what life would have been like in each story! Excellant!!!
• 
  Natalie Weber

  A Lineage of Grace profiles the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary with imaginative and fictional stories created by the author. Sometimes the accounts seem overly romanticized and probably more true to modern western thinking than historic Jewish culture. It is helpful, though, to remember that these biblical women were real people. It’s also a good reminder that God uses the humble, lowly, sinful ones among us to be part of His overarching plan of redemption.
• 
  Becka

  What a powerful fictionalized look at the lives of 5 Biblical women. While all were thought-provoking, I especially enjoyed the stories of Tamar and Mary. I appreciate that Rivers included a study at the end of each novella, leading the reader to the Bible text on which the novella is based. The studies allow the reader to get a clear understanding of what aspects of the story are Biblical, and to learn how each story applies to our lives today.
• 
  Adrienna

  This is all five stories via five women and how they find the grace of the Lord including the lineage of Jesus Christ. I believe this is the first time I read this author and loving it so far!
  
  Unveiled: Tamar's story of being unloved but not forgotten. It was believed that she had a curse on her husbands, or the first two line of Hebrew men since it was there custom on both sides (Canaanite and Hebrew Jew) to marry next male child in line if your first husband dies. She had to dress and become a harlot to get what was rightfully hers; to carry the seed of her husband. It showed disobedience can be life-threatening, but she held on to the promise regardless of the lie Judah told her in the fear of losing his youngest son after the first two died. She made it happen under life-threatening circumstances because when a woman is accused of adultery, this leads to her very death by family members (and others). I've always liked this Bible story but she crafted and weaved a well-needed and written story. 4.75 stars.
  
  Unashamed: Rahab's story of believing a god that demonstrated its power: One and True God. She risked her life by helping two Israelites who were spies to see how they can take what was rightfully there's--seize it at all costs. I love the message of the "scarlet cord" which is the scarlet curtain hanging to signify to pass her home and all those inside like the lamb's blood across the doorposts in Egypt during the worst plague. 3 stars.
  
  Unshaken: Ruth's story and her change of heart after losing her husband. She was encouraged to go back to her mother's land and have a fresh start to remarry since she was young. Her sister-in-law, lost her husband a year prior and stayed around until all their husband's died and Naomi would go back to her homeland. She left to go back to her former homeland and gods, but Ruth was determined and adamant about going with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi warned her about their customs and religion which they were forbidden to worship any other god, Ruth agreed that she'd worship her god; also forewarned about the four deaths of stoning, burning, strangling, and slaying with a sword but this didn't easily scare Ruth off. She continued to follow. Overall, most single Christians always refer to this story; finding their Boaz. "A good wife is more precious than rubies." This story was heart-felt and could imagine being in Ruth's shoes; the writer not only written a great story but evokes emotion and seeing Ruth through your own eyes. 4 stars.
  
  Unspoken: Bathsheba's story starts off with an eight year old Bathsheba having a crush and dream of marrying David someday. At the time of his visit, she sat on her grandfather's lap and admired David like the others, but she believed and knew someday she would be his wife regardless of his three wives already, also fighting a war against King Saul and his armies at the time. (For me, this opening was hard for me to believe she was only a child dreaming of marrying the soon-to-be king.) Later, she does marry Uriah and get into the part where David watched her on the roof bathing, to summoning her to his palace to make love to her. The author carefully wrote these parts and only certain parts gripped at my heart but oddly felt no pity for Bathsheba for committing adultery even though her husband was away at war most of the time and didn't want to lay down with her when he had the chance. You do learn a valuable lesson in this story that deals with not only adultery, but murder and losing their son after all this scandal. "When you grow up, you will understand the wisdom of worshiping God and not man." 2.75/3 stars.
  
  Unafraid: Mary was touched by the Holy Spirit and heard the angel speak to her that she would be with child. She also was attacked by a chorus of dark voices that tried to discouraged her. This was a plus to the story since it would seem that the enemy would speak the opposite to her while the angel was telling her that she would be with child, Jesus. This story shared that she had other children after Jesus, at least several, and how she took the death of her son. Ultimately, she learned that she couldn't view him as her son any longer after his death and sacrifice on the cross, that he was her Savior and Lord. 3 stars.
  
  Out of every one of these women in the lineage of grace series, each woman carried the promise seed and saw the importance of worshiping the one and true God.
  
  Oddly, my least favorite book was Unspoken (Bathsheba's story) which I thought would have been the one of best stories of the series. For some reason, these was something missing and didn't seem consistent to me as far as what I've learned about this woman as a biblical figure.
  
  However, I loved the first story with Tamar entitled Unveiled(which I gotten even more clarity than I already knew about her story from the movie Joseph, and read on it in the past with one of the books that tells the stories of the women in the Bible.) The other favorite was Ruth's story, Unshaken, which I shared briefly on my DYRP Midnight Hour program recently on unconditional (agape) love. Rahab's story, got more insight since I rarely read or heard this one taught before but was a mediocre read.
  
  Adrienna Turner
  Author of "The Day Begins with Christ"
  
  www.adriennaturner.webs.com
• 
  Becca Loritz

  I’m speechless. This book invites you in to the stories of women in the Bible & how God used them. It drew me into the heart of God & renewed a desire to know Him & His Word better!
• 
  Ella M. (あいみです) - Busy with college

  I'd give this 3.5 stars overall because there were some stories I liked and some that I didn't like. I enjoyed reading some of these retellings of the stories of these 5 women, and it did give me a better understanding of the hurts and struggles they went through. However, I did feel that Rivers took things a little too far sometimes. She took a lot of creative liberty with the story and added a LOT of content. (Like, she made Boaz a former lover of Naomi and Bathsheba have a crush on David since age 8! Like, where did that come from?) I mean, I get it. With retellings, you sometimes don't have a lot of material to work with and have to read between the lines or add some filler. But can't you at least try to stay within the borders of reason? Like, sometimes I felt like the additions were just tacked on to try to "spice things up'' but never actually did anything to enhance or deepen the story itself.
  
  Some of the stories I enjoyed more than others, and other stories I just could not get into and didn't like very much. But you can read my individual reviews for each of the books for a more in-depth look into them. That is, if you want to. No pressure! 😄 (Note: The Tamar one isn't an actual full review because I didn't have time to write one.)
  
  
  Unveiled: Tamar - 4 Stars
  
  
  Unashamed: Rahab - 4 Stars
  
  
  Unshaken: Ruth - 4 Stars
  
  
  Unspoken: Bathsheba - 2 Stars
  
  
  Unafraid: Mary - 4 Stars
  
  
  I appreciated the little Bible Study notes included at the end of each story. They allow the reader to do a more in-depth study of the real story on their own, which I think is important.
  
  Overall, this book was pretty good. I had some disappointments, and I had some revelations. I think there are good lessons we can learn from each of these stories, though, if we have an open heart.
  Like: never marry or fall for a king who already has at least 6 other wives (that are named, that is; it's quite possible he had many more who just weren't named in the Bible) and goodness knows how many concubines.
  Or maybe: always have a good collection of stalks of flax on your roof to hide unexpected spies of an army that's about to destroy your city.
  Or: don't be afraid to pick wheat in some stranger's field.
  
  Okay, okay, I'm kidding. (Well, that first one might still be applicable…) But yeah, there were some good lessons in these 5 books.
  
  Anywho, I'd say some of the stories in this book were well worth the read. The only one I didn't really feel lived up to the rest was Bathsheba's story. That one was disappointing.
  
  P.S. I love the cover of this hardcover edition. It's simple, but nice. The gold tree in juxtaposition to the purple backing just makes it look so elegant and royal. 😊
• 
  Rissa

  We follow 5 empowering females that changed the biblical world and it was beautiful.
  It was more of a retelling with a fictional aspect but she alwaysdoes an amazing job.
• 
  Josh Olds

  From 2000-2001, Francine Rivers and Tyndale House published five novellas based on the five women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus. This Lineage of Grace story takes on the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary to shed some light on these important women and their stories. Unfortunately, Rivers fails to do the hard work of creating believable cultural contexts, often importing modern-day assumptions, particularly modern-day romance, on these ancient Near Eastern people.
  
  The purpose of the series appears to have been to connect women to the stories of Scripture. Redeeming Love drew upon Rivers’ skill as a secular romance novelist while superimposing the biblical story of Hosea onto contemporary times. The hope was to reverse that in a sense and bring an element of contemporary romance to a biblical storyline, with the goal of women being able to see themselves in Scripture. While that’s a noble goal, Rivers often brings too much of the modern-day into her retellings—while yet retaining a firm sense of patriarchal culture—which does a disservice to the women and to the story.
  
  Rivers also goes to great lengths to connect her story to biblical context, if not biblical culture. That means that great swaths of the story exist only to set up the actual storyline. For instance, in Tamar’s story, Rivers feels the need to begin with the story of Joseph to provide some nuance for Judah’s character. But since it’s told didactically as a summary of Scripture and not as fictionalized story, it comes across as unnecessary and doesn’t add to the text.
  
  I feel like Rivers’ intention was for this to be used as a women’s Bible study, for it to jumpstart conversations, for it to be a piece of discussion—about patriarchy, about marriage, about romance, about the role of women, and more. While those intentions were good, the stories simply do not hold up. They seem poorly-researched, hastily-written, and, sometimes ideologically dangerous.
  
  For instance, In Rivers’ imagination of the Bathsheba narrative, Bathsheba is the daughter of one of David’s mighty men, fighting with him before he was king. Bathsheba has known of David since her childhood and always been smitten by him. Rivers portrays an eight-year-old Bathsheba openly wishing that she could be David’s wife and hoping that David will notice her. It uncomfortably and grossly portrays Bathsheba as the sexual aggressor, even when everything in the biblical narrative paints her as a victim. This is not consensual adultery. This is not the end of an unrequited love. This is rape. And to call it anything else gaslights those who have been sexually abused and justifies sexual abusers. This is dangerous theology and for it to come from the pen of a woman revered in Christian fiction circles and widely read, even outside the Christian community, is categorically abhorrent.
  
  In other stories, the storytelling is just anemic. In the Rahab story, there’s too much telling and not enough showing. Rivers spends too long on explaining the story of Israel in a non-story context. The interactions with Joshua are stilted and stiff. The references to the forty years of wilderness wandering come across as almost parodical. There’s very little depth to the characters and, for all the conversations about Rahab’s virtue, her faith is portrayed as both selfish and sanctimonious.
  
  Overall, the series has a “Bible study” mentality about it, but still feels okay with going on wild speculative tangents. That unpredictability in storytelling gives the series a stilted, formal feel that makes it a painful read.
• 
  Becca Tweed

  This was a wonderful book about different women in the Bible and their perspectives. Note they are short stories and not a full book. It was interesting, however, once the stories had escalated, they finished really quickly. All round though, a nice book to read.
• 
  Riley Gerwig

  Don’t ask me why it took me over a year to finish this book, I think it’s because I never wanted it to end! This book tells the stories of the 5 women in the lineage of Jesus and draws you in to want to know their stories in depth. Just so good.
• 
  midnightfaerie

  Beautifully written and easy to comprehend, this book gives the stories of five prominent women of the bible and their struggles. Rivers does an excellent job of putting biblical allegory in laymen's terms and even includes studies at the end of each story. I highly recommend this book. The only reason it didn't receive 5 stars is because the study questions were not as thought provoking as they could have been. I suppose I was looking for a study that was a little more atypical, however, the questions still cover the topics adequately.
• 
  Rebeca Segebre

  Encontré fascinante la manera en que la autora explicó por medio tramas y diálogos ficticios, los riesgos grandiosos que estas mujeres tomaron, la manera en que sus vidas se balanceaban en un hilo fino y al mismo tiempo parecían caminar su historia como en una calzada, con coraje y firmeza como si fuese una carretera construida para ellas mientras el lector está consciente que es en nada segura. Cualquier otra en las mismas circunstancias estaría destinada a morir en el intento.
  
• 
  sydney

  i really enjoyed reading this little novella collection.☺️
  there were only a couple things I wasn't fond of, but for the most part i believe they stayed true to the Biblical plots. i also really liked the Bible study sections at the end of each book... i want to go back some time and work on those because the few questions i read through seem like they point to God’s hand in the lives of the characters.
  
  i appreciated how Rivers stayed close to the plot, and for some cases it provided more context to the Bible stories themselves. i’m cautious of Biblical fiction that revolves around Bible characters, just because i feel like too much creative liberty with the stories can be disrespectful. the only part that i felt a little uneasy with the direction of the plot was during Mary’s story and how Rivers wrote in Satan. i’m a little on the fence with how i feel about it because it just feels a little too “spiritual” for my personal tastes.
  
  however, as works of fiction, i do believe they respect the original stories well enough for me to recommend.😊🤗
  
  **i wrote this review on my phone so please excuse any typos.🙈
• 
  Abby McDonald

  The stories of 5 of the most famous women in the Bible and from the lineage of Jesus! Written in easy to understand detail!! This book concept is so cool to me! Francine Rivers is such a great writer with an exceptional way of telling stories from the Bible and from history in general in a relatable, emotional, and effortless fashion while still holding true to the integrity and accuracy of said stories. This was a great way for me to be able to really see the stories of the Bible that I’ve read before come to life in a new way! The emphasis on these women as being image bearers and part of Gods redemptive plan is so encouraging to read as a woman!
  
  Took me forever to finish this one but it was a great read!!
• 
  Lucy Fifield

  I got this book for my birthday- and adored it! Francine Rivers went through stories of different women throughout the lineage of David and Jesus in the bible and dramatized their stories. We heard the artist's interpretation of the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and, of course, Mary. While I think that some things were a little off from my personal interpretations, I still loved this book. I especially appreciated the questions and verses provided in a study guide format after each chapter.
  Fun read!
• 
  Micaela Rojas

  Oh my goodness. I absolutely loved this book! This has got to be one of my favorite books I've ever read. Five stories of women in the lineage of Jesus: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. It adds color, details and life and sparked my imagination to familiar Bible stories. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!
• 
  Karen Ford

  Really liked the way the author made these Biblical women come to life. Very interesting and captured my attention and kept it.
• 
  Margie

  A great book if you want to read about 5 women in the Bible who play a role in the life of Jesus - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.
  
  Two friends and I used this book as part of our Bible study. Enjoyed the depth of each story, and the thought provoking questions at the end of each story.
• 
  Saralee Amason

  Some of the stories were really helpful in understanding the depth and seriousness of the stories of these women. But parts were not as biblically true as I wished. Example; the story of Ruth there are certain details that were not aligned with the details given in the Bible and I just couldn’t really get past that. The story of Rahab and Mary was fantastic and even brought me to tears a points
• 
  Raina Lanier

  This is a WONDERFUL way to see the women in the lineage of Jesus as real women instead of just names on a list. It helps us in the 21st century western world understand even slightly what it would have been like for those living in Biblical times. EVERY CHRISTIAN WOMAN SHOULD READ.
• 
  Caylene

  Francine Rivers is the only Christian fiction author I can stand to read. She develops plots and characters in an enchanting way. This collection of stories is particularly wonderful because it is Rivers' interpretation of the lives of five women who made up the lineage of Christ. Rivers reconstructs what their lives must have been like in biblical times and the struggles they overcame to bring a royal Messiah into the world.
• 
  Joan

  I am just about done with this book.... and I LOVED it! (love it...since I am still in the midst of the last story about Mary). The first story just kind of....ended. However as you read the following stories, they are much more in depth and very well written. Although it is historical fiction...I understand so much more about these women and why they may have made the decisions they made. Very well written, very intriguing. And that cover! Beautiful!!!
• 
  Megan Lewis

  What a book. I feel driven to God’s word as I read this book. Yes, it is only one author’s interpretation of scripture BUT there is so much truth in it too that the stories have such meaningful life. The way that the biblical tales are retold brings new animation and it makes my mind consider what it was actually like to be in Biblical times and in the shoes of these women.
  
  Beautifully written.