Unseduced and Unshaken: The Place of Dignity in a Young Woman's Choices, by Rosalie de Rosset
I never read new books... which is part of the reason I was drawn to this one in the first place. I was first drawn to it because of its assertion that young women need to read the classics; however, it calls for much more than that. Dr de Rosset (a professor of my mom's at Moody) wrote this "collection of essays [as] a thoughtful provocation to speak well, read often, make choices that reflect the character of God, and even to establish a theology of play or leisure."
This book touches on topics that all Christians, not just young Christian women, need to tackle. It demands a return to critical thinking, holy leisure, discipleship one generation to the next - and in that, a love and understanding of tradition - as well as what it truly means to be a "formidably self-possessed young woman with a fully realized, detailed moral sensibility", as one critic says of the character Jane Eyre.
This is not a typical self-help, Christian how-to for women. It is a serious, well-researched work whose author pulls no punches. Unseduced and Unshaken is surprisingly as much an advocate for the rights of the all too silent women in the Church as it is a directive for them. We have a high calling as women. Are we living up to our potential in furthering the kingdom, or are we content with the quietness and mediocrity of our lives? Are we all right with the mediocrity of our women's Bible studies that are too often watered down biblical truths packaged for blithe, unthinking women who care little for being challenged with harder theology? Do we see Mary of Bethany sitting serenely at the feet of her Rabbi, or do we see her in passionate discussion? Asking hard questions, learning what it means to truly follow Him?
Everyone needs to read this book.
My favorite chapter, if you've time for nothing more, is entitled "Mindful or Mindless: a Theology of Play". This is the section that compares stories like Titanic to Casablanca. Superficial, hasty, but passionate romance versus authentic, deep, but composed romance. Scandal versus honor. Sex versus love. There is more to what she has to say here: developing a philosophy of leisure, fasting from media, reevaluating the music we listen to. Her several paragraphs on hymnic worship and tradition are particularly weighty. Read what she says at the end of the chapter:
What I am suggesting to you today is that you remember the best of what was and include that best with the best of what is, or you will break the link in a historical legacy given to us by God. This means that popular culture can have a thoughtful place in your life, but should not dominate you by the very definition of popular. This means that it would serve you well to have at least a portion of your experience the classics in music, art, theology, and literature - those things that have been with us for generations. That understanding will then help you look at today's music, art, and literature critically, helping you to choose and enjoy the best of it. Having gone through the process of changing your diet, you will find yourself unable to go back to junk food.
The teacher (and fellow young woman believer) in me craves to go through this book with our youth group girls. To consider why Twilight is not up to snuff. To consider the dangers of reading cheap fiction. To consider the movies we watch, and their portrayals of women and romance. To consider what we do with our free time, whether we are in fact rotting our brains. To consider what the role of women is in God's plan, and how we can follow Him in that.
I ask that we as women raise the standard that's been set for us by the world and our churches - in dress, demeanor, critical thinking, and our pursuits. It's time we take ourselves seriously.
