Book Reviews
Curse of the Good Girl
Being good is bad. Being bad is good. That’s the message communicated in Rachel Simmons’ book, The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence. “Our culture is teaching girls to embrace a version of selfhood that sharply curtails their power and potential,” says Simmons. “In particular, the pressure to [...]
7Dec2009 | Mary Kassian | 6 comments | Continued
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment
It happened. Again. And it’s been happening with increasing frequency. I was listening to a Christian speaker, and she implied that anyone who disagreed with her position on women preaching in church was being “judgmental.” That person ought to examine his/her heart and repent of his/her attitude of superiority. Arrghh!
8Jun2009 | Mary Kassian | 3 comments | Continued
Authentic Beauty
In a culture that mocks our longing for tender romance, in a world where fairy tales never seem to come true – do young women dare hope for more? For every young woman asking that question, this book is an invitation to begin a never-ending love story with the Prince of her dreams. According to Ludy, Authentic Beauty is living a life fully set- apart for Him.
8May2009 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued
Girls Gone Skank
“Instead of advancing women’s social and professional empowerment, popular culture appears to be backsliding into the blatant sexual exploitation of women and girls at younger and younger ages.” That’s the conclusion of Patrice Opplinger, assistant professor of mass communications at Boston University. In “Girls Gone Skank,” Opplinger investigates the effects of mass marketed sexual images and cultural trends on the attitudes of young girls and describes the ways in which girls are increasingly taught to go to outrageous lengths in seeking male attention.
1May2009 | Mary Kassian | 4 comments | Continued
Thrill of the Chaste
Does a “Sex & the City” dating philosophy really work? Does sex lead to deeper, more committed relationships? Dawn Eden, a 31-year old unmarried rock journalist in New York City thinks not. In her book, “The Thrill of the Chaste,” she explains why she pitched her Sex & the City lifestyle for the thrill of chastity.
24Apr2009 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued
Re-imagining God in the Shack
Betty Friedan, the main force behind modern day feminism, predicted that the question of the eighties would be: “Is God HE?” The Christa sculpture was the liberal church’s response to the question. And although Evangelical Christians have been much slower to consider female gendered God imagery, the recent phenomenon of the multi-million best-seller, “The Shack,” indicates that Evangelicals, too, are succumbing to the feminist pressure to image God in feminine ways.
6Apr2009 | Mary Kassian | 57 comments | Continued
Curse of the Good Girl
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment
Authentic Beauty
Girls Gone Skank
Thrill of the Chaste
Re-imagining God in the Shack
