I am a proud product of the Reading Rainbow and Wishbone generation. Who
doesn’t love an alumnus of the Starship Enterprise and a cute Jack Russell Terrier
telling you what books to pick out at your local library and what classic
literature is a must-read? I come from a
family of dedicated students and avid readers, so in addition to novels, I’m
always excited to see what non-fiction works are being promoted by pastors, bloggers,
and authors. I seek reviews online and
trust the opinion of those from The Gospel Coalition, among others.
Since I graduated from college, I’ve
chosen to “review” books with a photo on social media. If only we could get a superior grade in English
class with a picture that says, “I loved this book and you should read it!” I have shared blog posts on Facebook and Twitter
with the caption, “The Article I Wish I Had Written!” And now, I’m happy to write my first book
review in almost a decade with the title, “The Book I Wish I Had Written.”
I trust Crossway Books. Most of my favorite books bear their
label. I expected no less from The Accidental Feminist. I’ve read Courtney Reissig’s articles at CBMW
and other sites. She is a kindred spirit
and her writings have blessed me. I am
always excited to see Christian women writing about Christian womanhood. Though we have never met, we share mutual
friends and the kinship of sweet memories from the campus of Southern Seminary.
The
Accidental Feminist is
the personal journey that Reissig goes on from college to seminary, marriage to
children, and bartender to complementarian blogger and author. It is her story, but it is also our
story. She begins with a definition and
history of feminism. She acknowledges
the helpful progress that feminism originally made and laments the current
third-wave feminism that has infiltrated our culture and worldviews. Her goal is clear in the subtitle, “Restoring
Our Delight in God’s Good Design.” She
thoughtfully addresses our identity in Christ, our relationship to men and
children, submission, modesty and purity, marriage and homemaking, hospitality,
and local church ministry. At the end of
each chapter, there is a section called, “Restoration in My Life” that provides
helpful reflection and study questions on the topic discussed.
Reissig’s book is fresh, vibrant,
and much-needed. She balances humor,
relatable anecdotes, Scripture, and valuable quotes from other champions of
Biblical womanhood. Reissig has done her
homework and it shows. It is not
redundant to have another book on Christian womanhood. It is necessary because we still
flounder. While Reissig’s style is
neither combatant nor demeaning to those who differ, she is serious about the
implications of us getting this right.
She exhorts, “When we get womanhood wrong, we tell a wrong story about
Christ’s relationship with His bride. We tell a wrong story about God.” (155) We need Reissig's experience and voice, as well
as her theological foundation. As she encourages, we need to use our own voices and stand on the solid ground
of Biblical doctrine, not private interpretation. While those of us who claim the title complementarian
do not believe that women should preach in a pulpit, I do believe that we
preach the Gospel with our lives and in our spheres of influence. Reissig gives examples of how we can practically
live out the Gospel through our giftedness and gender. She cares about the needs of women, all
women. She has given us an inclusive
resource for all Christian women, that can be read individually or in a small
group setting. Whether single or
married, a mother or desiring to be a mother, young or young at heart, she has
a message for you. Reissig says, “God’s
design is for all women because it is about the God who made us, not about our
position in life.” (58) She also
encourages that, “Your womanhood is not reduced to biological function or a marriage
license.” (57)
I married young, have been happy to
identify with my husband, and have attempted to follow the Proverbs 31 and
Titus 2 example that has been set before me.
I have spoken against feminism within my circle of friends. I was reminded through this book how much
feminism has permeated my own life, even as I argued against it. I appreciate the gentle way that Reissig
handles the topic of submission. She
reminds us, “True Biblical submission actually leads to human flourishing, not
withering.” (77) I have found this to be
true in my own life. There is great joy
in my life and marriage when I work with my husband as “friends and equals.” (80) Reissig also sensitively urges women in
abusive relationships to seek help.
My favorite part of Reissig’s book
is when she placed parsing Greek words in the same paragraph as “the fun stuff.” It reminded me of Kathy Keller’s famous
exhortation at The Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference in June 2014. Kathy Keller said, “I am not saying that you
have to sign up for a seminary education, although I recommend that women be as
theologically educated as possible; this can only be good for the church.”
The true gem of Reissig’s book is
that she clearly presents the Gospel throughout and reinforces it at the end. She says, “The only way we will understand what
it means to live fully as His image-bearer is if we know the One whose image we
bear.” (160) As she encourages
participation in the local church, building community with believers, and
studying God’s word for ourselves, her final plea to all of us is, “hope in
God.” (161)
I highly recommend Courtney Reissig’s
book, The Accidental Feminist. I have included links below to other reviews
of this book and interviews with the author.
So, in the words of LeVar Burton, “You don’t have to take my word for
it.”
Resources
BUY The Accidental Feminist here: http://amzn.to/1I5li4M
Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/the-accidental-feminist-tpb/
Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/the-accidental-feminist-tpb/
Author Interviewed by Lindsay Swartz of ERLC:
The Author in her own words: http://www.truewoman.com/?id=3181
Review by Tim Challies: http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-accidental-feminist
Review by Samantha Citty: https://samcitty.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/the-accidental-feminist-book-review/
Review by Samantha Citty: https://samcitty.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/the-accidental-feminist-book-review/
Review by Megan Hill: http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-accidental-feminist
Works Cited
Keller, Kathy. "21:23." Taking Action in Light
of God's Word. Proc. of The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference 2014,
Orlando, FL. The Gospel Coalition, n.d. Web. 03 June 2015.
<http://resources.thegospelcoalition.org/library/taking-action-in-light-of-god-s-word>.
copyright June 3, 2015 by *thewifeoflee*
copyright June 3, 2015 by *thewifeoflee*
