The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr

 The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr - 244 pages

Biblical womanhood--the belief that God designed women to be submissive wives, virtuous mothers, and joyful homemakers--pervades North American Christianity. From choices about careers to roles in local churches to relationship dynamics, this belief shapes the everyday lives of evangelical women. Yet biblical womanhood isn't biblical, says Baylor University historian Beth Allison Barr. It arose from a series of clearly definable historical moments.

This book moves the conversation about biblical womanhood beyond Greek grammar and into the realm of church history--ancient, medieval, and modern--to show that this belief is not divinely ordained but a product of human civilization that continues to creep into the church. Barr's historical insights provide context for contemporary teachings about women's roles in the church and help move the conversation forward.

Interweaving her story as a Baptist pastor's wife, Barr sheds light on the #ChurchToo movement and abuse scandals in Southern Baptist circles and the broader evangelical world, helping readers understand why biblical womanhood is more about human power structures than the message of Christ.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks-240 pages

Admittedly, I do not usually read many romance novels, but since that is this month's challenge, I decided I could read some of Nicholas Sparks' novels of which I have previously seen the film. In this case, the book is better than the film although the film isn't bad, either. Landon Carter falls in love with the unlikeliest of girls named Jamie Sullivan, the preacher's daughter who is different (in a good way, I think). She has a secret, however, that Landon doesn't learn until near the end of the novel. Overall, A Walk to Remember was an easy, good (albeit somewhat sad) read.