Podcast Summary: TIME with Denise Renner – What Is God’s View of Women?

Podcast: Rick Renner Podcast (Audio)
Host: Denise Renner (Rick Renner Ministries)
Guest: Rhonda Garver (Author, Pastor)
Release Date: January 11, 2026

Overview

This episode of "TIME with Denise Renner" features a deep and heartfelt conversation between Denise Renner and her guest, Rhonda Garver, centering on a crucial and often misunderstood topic: What is God’s true view of women? Drawing from Rhonda Garver’s experiences, pastoral insight, and her book "God’s Heart for Women," the episode unpacks biblical truths about women’s identity, worth, and calling. Emphasizing scriptural foundation and practical application, Denise and Rhonda dismantle misconceptions about women’s roles, highlight the equality present in the creation narrative, and encourage women to fully embrace and utilize their God-given gifts and callings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Catalyst: Addressing Women’s Calling in Ministry

[03:01-06:12]

• Rhonda shares the story of a young woman, called to ministry, who was devastated after being told by local pastors that God forbade women from ministering.
• This pushback led Rhonda to personally and thoroughly study scripture for God’s actual stance on the issue.
• Quote:

  “The Word of God is the final answer on everything. ... If I had found that it says sit down and shut up... I would have sat down and shut up.”
  — Rhonda Garver [05:18]

2. Genesis Re-examined: Equality at Creation

[06:22-11:27]

• Rhonda shares her findings from the creation story in Genesis, challenging the traditional sequence and hierarchy misunderstood from translations.
• In Genesis 1:26-28, the word translated as "man" actually means "mankind"—encompassing both male and female, created together in God's image and given shared dominion.
• The separation of male and female came only later and does not imply hierarchy or superiority.
• Quote:

  "God could have created us, male and female from the beginning... But he started out with them in one body and called them mankind."
  — Rhonda Garver [08:35]

3. The Nature of Oneness and Biblical Intimacy

[10:00-12:09]

• Denise and Rhonda discuss how Adam and Eve were one before their separation, and how marriage brings man and woman back into a unique oneness, reflecting God’s design.
• The idea that both were created from the same substance, thus equal, directly challenges the belief that women are fundamentally secondary.
• Quote:

  “They were the same substance... You can't say one is better than the other if they were created at the exact same time from the exact same thing...”
  — Rhonda Garver [11:12]

4. “Helper” Redefined: Ezer and Its True Power

[13:43-18:39]

• The Hebrew word for "helper" (ezer), used for Eve, does not denote inferiority. In fact, every other scriptural use (21 times total) refers either to strong allies or to God Himself.
• Being a helper means bringing a critical supply, strength, and partnership—never weakness or subordination.
• Notable Explanation:

  “If you’re under siege as a nation, you wouldn't call an inferior people to help you... The helper is not inferior to the one being helped. God calls Himself our helper.”
  — Rhonda Garver [14:13–15:22]

5. Debunking Cultural Misconceptions

[18:39-20:45]

• Denise and Rhonda address how society and even the church have influenced women to see themselves as lesser.
• The devil’s strategy is to diminish women’s sense of worth and to keep their gifts hidden; but recognizing and releasing those God-given qualities is vital.
• Quote:

  “It would be the enemy that would try to diminish who we are in our minds and our hearts as women so that we will hide in the shadow and never bring forth our gifts.”
  — Denise Renner [19:30]

6. Embracing Identity: Encouragement and Application

[20:45-22:54]

• The point is not for women to dominate or supplant men, but to step fully into God’s truth, recognize their worth, and actively supply their unique gifts—for their families, the church, and the world.
• Denying or withholding those gifts dishonors God’s design and purpose.
• Quote:

  “It’s not about us taking over the world... It’s about recognizing the truth of God’s word and realizing the power of God that’s on the inside of you and what you have to give.”
  — Denise Renner [22:48]

7. Transformation and Prayer

[24:19-25:40]

• Denise and Rhonda end the conversation with a time of prayer, inviting listeners to embrace biblical truth and lay aside any limiting beliefs about their identity and calling as women.
• Denise shares how reading Rhonda’s book personally set her free from old patterns of thinking.
• Quote:

  “If you think you’re less, then you will be less. If you recognize what God says about you... you bring a full supply.”
  — Denise Renner [24:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The first very first thing that God called a woman is a name he calls Himself.” — Rhonda Garver [17:35]
• “I was not taught the truth... that God made me to be that helper and to bring forth what he put inside of me, right?” — Denise Renner [19:44]
• “He brought Eve and stood her before Adam and they stood face to face. That’s how God intended it to be.” — Rhonda Garver [20:06]
• “It makes me sad when married couples don’t even realize they’re on the same team. It’s a partnership, a team.” — Rhonda Garver [16:19]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:01] – Rhonda’s story: why she wrote her book and began in-depth biblical study
• [06:22] – Fresh reading of Genesis: re-evaluating “man” and “helper”
• [13:43] – In-depth word study of “helper” (ezer)
• [18:39] – Overcoming cultural and theological misconceptions
• [20:06] – Vision of men and women standing face-to-face, working together
• [22:48] – The heart of the message: empowering women to embrace their gifts
• [24:19] – Closing encouragement, testimony, prayer

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode powerfully reframes the conversation around women’s identity and calling in the church and family, rooting it in careful, scriptural exegesis and deep personal conviction. Denise Renner and Rhonda Garver offer liberating biblical teaching, call out centuries-old misconceptions, and invite every listener—especially women—to step out of the shadows, embrace their full, God-given supply, and partner with men in fulfilling the original mandate of dominion, unity, and mutual completion. The tone is encouraging, inspiring, and filled with hope and spiritual authority.

Recommended Resources:

• God’s Heart for Women by Rhonda Garver
• Unstoppable by Denise Renner
• Five-part video series, “How God Sees You” (available via Renner Ministries)

If you have ever wondered about God’s original intention for women, their gifts, and their position—not as secondary but as equal and essential—this conversation is revelatory and deeply encouraging.