Josh Harris makes a good case for that in this outstanding little book:
Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah, 2003. 187 pp. Amazon | WTSBooks.
In Chapter 5, entitled “Guys and Girls: How Are We Different, and How Can We Help Each Other?”, Josh writes this in answer to the question “How Are We Different?” (pp. 84–85):
Though we have a lot in common, God made men and women gloriously different. We were made to complement each other. We have different strengths. We are “wired” differently sexually. Continue Reading »
She proceeds to discsuss “three powerful lies communicated to and believed by women through this genre of ‘chick-flicks’ as well as ‘chick-lit’ (literature)”:
Lie #1: Men think of romance and relational intimacy exactly like women do!
Lie #2: If I marry the right man, all will be right in my life.
Lie #3: I will know that a man is right for me by feelings I get when I’m with him.
She closes by sharing her own courting experience.
My desire in this book is to kill two birds with one stone. First, I want to lay out a clear, balanced, realistic, biblical picture of what moms and dads should be looking for on behalf of their daughters and seeking to produce in their sons. . . .
In addition, I want to provide a road map for men who have a desire to lead their families biblically but simply do not know how.
He concludes (p. 206),
I intend to walk my daughter down the aisle one day. When I do, the minister is going to ask, “Who gives this woman to be married?” If I am going to answer, “I do” with a clear conscience, then I simply have no choice but to invest significant time into vetting any potential suitor. I cannot give my approval of a man whom God’s Word disqualifies. I love my daughter too much. I love my grandchildren too much. But most importantly, I love my Lord too much to settle for less.
The book is provocative in at least two ways: content and tone.
Content: Baucham holds no punches when he describes what he thinks biblical manhood involves.
Tone: Baucham is bold, confident, and direct. This is often refreshing, but to people in some contexts, this dogmatism will not be well received.
The fall 2008 issue of the Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is now available, and five of the articles or reviews are available online now. One of the reviews available now is written by my wife:
She wrote this review in June during a small window of time right after she completed four years of full-time teaching and then gave birth to our first child. No doubt I am biased, but I must say that the (controversial) review is well done!
[This is a guest post by my wife, Jenni. She has benefited immensely from Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters on biblical womanhood, and at my request she graciously agreed to summarize her experience for the benefit of others. --ADN]
My friend had recently given birth to her first child, a baby girl, and was thoroughly enjoying the book’s emphasis on teaching daughters about biblical womanhood. I soon began devouring it! Then I discovered the Girl Talk Blog, MP3’s by Carolyn Mahaney, and two other books written by Carolyn Mahaney:
I began spending hours each day listening to Carolyn on my MP3 player while working in the home. I even bought the three books above and gave them as Christmas presents to my Mom, sister, mother-in-law, and three sisters-in-law!
Throughout these past few months, Carolyn has mentored me in the disciplines of biblical womanhood.
Her emphasis on “discovering the idols of your heart” in your motivations has convicted me to examine my own life and discern what motivates my decisions.
Her practice of encouraging others for God’s grace at work in their lives has challenged me to be more intentional about edifying others this way.
Her seriousness about confessing and dealing with sin has sobered me to examine and deal with the sin in my own heart.
Her teaching on motherhood has meant the most to me since our own baby girl, Kara Marie, is on the way! May God give me the grace to be half as intentional in teaching baby Kara about the disciplines of biblical womanhood as Carolyn was with her daughters.
I am so grateful for Carolyn’s mentoring over the last several months. I am thankful that rather than giving fluffy women’s talks, she applies the gospel to all of life—especially to our roles as wives and mothers for the glory of God.
Josh Harris makes a good case for that in this outstanding little book:
