Chapter 1

In the future, I'm sure it will take several entries to respond to a chapter, but chapter one is rather succinct and so is my response. Rather than addressing these points in detail (since they will be discussed in the chapters ahead), here are facets of these chapter that I appreciated and those I take issue with:

I appreciated...
*The emphasis on not looking to the world for answers on who we are and what we should be. It can be easy to let pressure from those around us guide the way we view our life and how we choose to live it and they recognized this issue.

*Practical examples. It's interesting and helpful to see hear from a number of girls (see pages 8-12).

*The encouragement (page 6) to read the book like a Berean, comparing what they share to scripture.

I take issue with...
*The emphasis on males (particularly fathers) as the answer for problems. On page 3/4, the authors discuss various issues facing college young women - dysfunctional families, a politically correct attitude from their classes, lack of spiritual guidance, confusion, need for security. Their response to these girls is, "What they all seemed to want more than anything else was truth, safety, purpose, and faithful male companionship and protection."* (emphasis theirs)

*Focus on the father-daughter relationship rather than the parent-daughter relationship. This immediately put me on guard. To begin, every single chapter title involves "father and daughter" in some way. Further, from the brief section on pages 5-6, I was uncomfortable with statements such as, "Many girls enjoy having a "space" away from their fathers. That space is dangerous."** or "If you are not willing to give your heart to your father, this book will put you at odds with the Scriptural mandate you find here."***

*Idealizing the past. On page 7, the girls mention that the views they shared in this book "used to be held by practically all Americans...it was lived before, when women were much happier."**** There's plenty that I would like to say about this idea, but for it can wait.

If anyone should care to comment: is there any other particular issue that stood out to you?



*Botkin, Anna Sofia & Elizabeth. So Much More: the Remarkable Influence of Visionary Daughters on the Kingdom of God. 1st. San Antonio, TX: Vision Forum, Inc., 2005.
**Ibid.
***Ibid.
****Idbid.

An Introduction

It was at the suggestion of a friend that I first peeked into the book So Much More, by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin. Her concern sparked my interest and after perusing the book, I wanted to learn more. Thanks to a friend who has loaned me her copy, I am currently reading it through. This blog is my journal (or outlet), whether to express indignation, nod in agreement, criticize conclusions, or empathize with certain sentiments. Please feel free to read and comment!

As my profile notes, I am a Christian young woman, wife, and college student. I was homeschooled through high school and plan to homeschool my own children someday. I aspire to be a homemaker, but currently God is leading me to explore the field of social work until then. I love classical literature, rainy days, cooking/baking in my little apartment kitchen, and spending time with my best friend, my husband. I am passionate about justice and human rights, homeschooling, men and women's roles, learning about other cultures, and most of all, my Savior.