Author JOHN & STASI ELDREDGE
Publisher NELSON BOOKS
ISBN 0-7852-7621-1
Some will be aware of the writings and ministry of John and Stasi Eldredge, a ministry that has burgeoned in popularity. This particular offering has the subtitle “Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul.” On almost every page things are said that are helpful, Biblical and common sense but they are mixed with some pop psychology, overmuch personal allusion and unwise over statement by which the authors want to emphasize their ideas. Unless the reader has had a thorough exposure to plenty of movies and novels some of the examples given will not mean much. Perhaps it is the enthusiastic pursuit of the idea that a woman’s soul needs to be swept up in the great romance and borne along in life as adventure that palls as these pages are read. That there is truth in so much of what is written is undeniable, but the zeal that carries the authors (and sometimes it is hard to discover who is saying what) into excessiveness tends to blur that truth. For example, it is the author’s view that many Christian books on womanhood are wearisome; the Proverbs 31 description of a virtuous woman is called ‘an infamous icon’ and would have been so busy that she could not possibly form friendships and have sex. A chapter with the title “Arousing Adam” encourages women to be ‘alluring’ and describes the actions of Ruth with Boaz as being “seduction pure and simple,” and page 157 tells us that “Boaz needs a little help to get going.” Perhaps, if we bear in mind that this is written in the American context we can understand a little better, but, should that excuse the absence of thoroughly Biblical answers to the profound needs of men and women that can only be found in Christ? There are mentions of some Bible women, but these are sometimes listed alongside women from fairy tales, books such as Lord of the Rings although some authors such as Chesterton and C.S. Lewis are also quoted. It is understandable that the Eldredge’s want to declare something of the power and beauty of femininity but the sense of something missing continued with me as I read, following and walking with Christ and the embracing of the cross must be central, not the allure of a slightly artificial female image which leads to a focus on self whether male or female. Is this a symptom of a malaise afflicting Western Churches? A book that is concentrating on such a rich and vital theme and which does so in a number of helpful ways, but subtly and, I am sure, unwittingly, turns the spotlight upon self rather than God and Christ?
