Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes

Initial thoughts on the book:
"This would probably be be a good book for my 10 year old daughter. . . although I would have to explain the moralism."
"This reminds me of that parenting book we read, Light Their Fire for God, because of all of the 'This is Carol's story...' and 'Once we knew a lady named Stacy...' and 'Roberta wasn't ready for Jesus, but then we...' but also because of the comforting and applicable scripture references; I like that part."
"This might be a good book for a new Christian."
"Stop being so proud, you need this too!"
"I know. But really!?!? I'm gettin' 'bla bla bla'."
"Pride!"

One thing I've noticed about myself is that the books I consider good books are ones that I want to underline and otherwise mark up, are quotable, and re-readable. This book was none of these. That's not to say that it's not a good book though. It certainly isn't a bad book, just as soggy oatmeal isn't a bad breakfast, but when you're waiting for your breakfast in bed at at a French hotel and this is what's brought to you - well, it's a let-down.

This is the type of book that I most abhor for a book club or discussion: There is nothing to really discuss, nothing for anyone to disagree with (myself excepted), but is precisely the type that is chosen over and over for just such a discussion. Written by a kindly grandmother for a mass audience in a modern church and chalked full of platitudes and moral principles that would make Ben Franklin proud, this book quotes all of the "right" people: Augustine, Packer, Lloyd-Jones, etc. I have no doubt that I would enjoy a conversation with Mrs Hughes and could learn a lot from this lady's sterling character, but her book (any book) cannot depend solely on that; it must stand on it's own. Mrs Hughes is a pastor's wife and naturally her book places a strong emphasis on the tithe, church attendance, and praying over the church prayer list. I find it oddly humorous that she chose 1 Corinthians 16:2 (On the first of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.) to argue for the collecting of the tithe - humored, but not surprised. The favorite few are always brought forward to argue for how we do it now. She also quotes Hebrews 10:25 (Do not forsake assembling together...) to prove, absolutely prove with out a doubt, that your rear is to be on a pew from 10-12am every Sunday morning while other verses, that may suggest otherwise, are never touched on.

I do appreciate her many scripture references and have written some down to revisit, but if that was what I wanted my time would be better employed with a concordance. Don't get me wrong: I question myself. I question myself even as I have these thoughts. But I also question them - the modern Reformed folk who can't get past square uno. At least Tim Keller's Prodigal God  makes you think! He almost had something there! (Might I recommend The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal?)

Books such as this, written for church women, just deflate me. Alice von Hildebrand pulls it off, Barbara Hughes does not. I'm sorry. I remember one Beth Moore study we did in Sunday school - all of the women were chatting about how encouraged they were. Me? It depressed me, and so does this book. It's soggy oatmeal when I long for a real French breakfast.

It all puts me in mind of Mr Woodhouse who loves his "small basin of thin gruel" and is all that he "with thorough self-approbation" can recommend. It's as if this group is scared. Of what I do not know, but just read the blog comments on such a blog (Reformed, esp. the ones for women) and it's obvious that unless someone comments "Great post!! Thank you!!! Just what I needed today!!!! I am in tears!!!!!" and has no original thought in their head they are frowned upon. (Not that this is done by the authors of the blog per se but is frequently done by others who claim this vestment.) We're, in effect, told (as Mrs Bates was told) "Let me propose you venturing on one of these eggs. An egg boiled very soft is not unwholesome. (Fill in here the name of the approved Reformed, Calvinistic thinker, writer, pastor of today) understands boiling an egg better than anybody. I would not recommend an egg boiled by anybody else - but you need not be afraid, they are very small, you see - one of our small eggs will not hurt you." I'm left feeling like Emma, who, "though delighted to see everyone looking so comfortable", "the quiet prosings of such women made her feel that every evening so spent was indeed one of the evenings she had fearfully anticipated".

plus potuit, quia plus amavit

Just finished The Privilege of Being a Woman by Alice von Hildebrand and wanted to dash off a few lines in ref. Perhaps, before we go any further, I should just mention that I am not a member of the Catholic church. There is no need to be Catholic to see eye to eye with this lady on not-a-few issues, her book is inspiring and a pleasure to read. Fairly early on in the proceedings von Hildebrand waggles a finger at the modern school of thought (which carelessly talks of the "emancipation" of women, but really means the "masculinization" of women) and I like to stand by and look smug whenever that's being done. Plus, she does sum it up rather well,

Unwittingly, the feminists acknowledge the superiority of the male sex by wishing to become like men. They foolishly want to alter inequality rather than to achieve truth or justice. (p10)

The fashions of the day are all geared toward destroying women's sensitivity for the dignity of their sex. (p90)

This book is refreshing because she upholds womanhood - not because women are the best or that we are strong in ourselves or because we are simply united in an earthly way - but because God holds up women and has given us many graces and privileges. She also reminds us that motherhood isn't a lowly harangue:

...in the light of redemption (which has given a sublime meaning to suffering), to suffer agony to bring another human being into the world is a premonition of the sufferings of Christ whose blood has redeemed us. (p16)

One day, all human accomplishments will be reduced to a pile of ashes. But every single child to whom a woman has given birth will live forever, for he has been given an immortal soul made to God's image and likeness. In this light, the assertion of de Beauvoir that "woman produces nothing" becomes particularly ludicrous. (p33)

Just as Christ has suffered the agonizing pains of the crucifixion in order to reopen for us the gates of heaven, so the woman has received the costly privilege of suffering so that another child made in God's image and likeness can enter into the world... Chesterton writes, "No one staring at the frightful female privilege, can quite believe in the equality of the sexes..." (p87)

The best part of the book, though, is when she touches on weakness or perceived weakness. This "weakness" includes humility, chastity, modesty, self-sacrifice, and service.

 ...Nietzsche's philosophy in a nutshell - the glorification of strength and the denigration of weakness - has become the shallow core of modern thought and feminist belief. (p23)

...secularistic view is the claim that 'service is degrading'... It is humiliating. (p31)

Modern ideology wages war on the Gospel which teaches humility and that those that lower themselves will be exalted. (p32)

Women are more geared to piety because they have a keener awareness of their weakness. This is their true strength. (p66)

And, of course, von Hildebrand brings forth the most excellent example of Mary the Mother of Jesus. She points us to Mary who was a woman who was not passive, but receptive: "be it done to me according to Thy word".

...women are called upon to imitate Mary's virtues: first and foremost, her radiant humility. (p99)

There were, as with any work, statements I would debate. For example, I would disagree with the authoress on the point she made that Mary's womb was too holy after the birth of Jesus to consummate her marriage with Joseph. But there are many gems in this short (small book, 100 pages) read.

Some other authors she quotes:

...if all knees should bend in front of the Saviour, all heads should bow in front of His mother. (Gueranger)

un peuple vaut ce que valent ses femmes (Vinet)
the value of a people is to be gauged by the value of its women

Where the woman is faithful, no evil can befall. The woman is the root and the man the tree. The tree grows only as high as the root is strong. (Confucius)

The artist who no longer gives God the honor, and instead proclaims only himself, must, by excluding the religious element from culture, practically eliminate also its womanly quality. (Gertrud von le Fort, speaking on modern art)

I hate all talk about the emancipation of women...for once [man] has made her believe that she is entirely in his power, at the mercy of his will, she can be nothing for him except a prey to his whims, whereas as woman, she can be everything for him. (Kierkegaard)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

plus potuit, quia plus amavit (Saint Gregory)
having the stronger love, she had the stronger power