Violet Voices

Women’s history

My friend Camy posted this past Saturday about the chapter she read in the book, Captivating, by John and Stasi Eldredge. She shared some really interesting thoughts about it. And being the sort of person that I am–someone who really is shy about sharing their own thoughts and opinions, a person who really hates to make waves, so unsure of what I really think and believe, it’s so hard for me to chime in…

Okay, that’s all a bunch of crap. No shrinking violets, remember?

I had some thoughts about one particular point she raised, and I’m not at all hesitant to give my take on it. But I should come clean and state that I’m no fan of John Eldredge’s books. I haven’t read this one, and I think I will probably pass. So I’m responding solely according to Camy’s take on this chapter, not from my own experience with it.

In her response to the section explaining why women have seemed to be especially targeted for violence and oppression throughout history, she says:

I liked the argument about how Lucifer was beautiful, and so after his fall, it only makes sense that he’d go after the beauty in God’s creation—which includes Eve. In previous chapters (I think chapter two) the authors pointed out that women are made to reflect God’s beauty. It also makes sense that the murderer would attack the “mother of all the living.” (Gen. 3:20)

ON EDIT: I need to point out that Camy herself disagrees with this emphasis on beauty, as you’ll see if you read the rest of her post. She’s simply pointing out that it’s an interesting idea to think that Satan has a particular agenda against women.

I would have to say that I agree that if you look across the expanse of history, women have indeed been much more likely to be victims of oppression and of violence. And my theology is still conservative enough that I believe there is a real Satan who bears no love for humanity. I even agree that it certainly appears that he especially has it in for us gals.

But I don’t think it has much to do with us “being created for beauty” or any special hatred he has for the beauty of God’s creation.

First of all, women weren’t created for beauty. That’s the Eldredge’s obsession with European fairy tales getting mixed up with their theology–one of my biggest gripes about the authors. The Bible is clear in Genesis 2, about the purpose for the creation of women: because it was “not good” for the First Human to be alone. The actual phrase used to describe women in Genesis 2:20 is “ezer kenegdo.” “Ezer” is the word used of God and other strong powers who come to the aid or rescue of one in need. “Kenegdo” is a word that gives the picture of someone standing face to face with someone else. The picture here could be described as “a strong partner capable of rescuing or aiding” the Human.

Women were created to show all of humanity that it is not good or safe or wise to try to tackle life all by ourselves. We need each other. We need community. The Bible says nothing about the first woman being beautiful. It doesn’t even mention if Adam was sexually attracted to her or if they had romantic feelings for each other. We like to read that into the text because who doesn’t love a good love story?

But if the Eldredge book is claiming that woman’s primary purpose for existing is to be beautiful, I think there’s a paucity of solid scriptural backup for that. The Bible doesn’t present the value of a woman or the life purpose of a woman being wrapped up in beauty–either physical or spiritual. In fact, while the Bible does acknowledge the physical attractiveness of some of its characters–both male and female–the emphasis is always on that person’s behavior and heart toward the Lord, or lack of. And the virtues that are praised in a woman are the same that are praised in a man–purity, righteousness, whole-hearted dedication to the Lord, compassion, peace, wisdom, industry, etc.

For all we know, the first male and female could have been complete dogs according to our 21st century, American concept of beauty. But God pronounced them Very Good. My guess is that what God finds to be Good and Beautiful may be a BIT different from our definition.

So if not for the sake of “beauty” then why have women been so oppressed through the course of history? I guess I’d better give my suggestions on that tomorrow.

The Women’s history by Violet Voices, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Written By: Meredith Efken
Posted under: Women's Voices .  Email This Post