Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 144:15

Monday, January 18, 2010

I Fired the Feminists





A few days ago I burned some feminist, humanistic influences in my life. It was a relief and a joy getting rid of some things I had been holding onto that did not glorify God. My family and I made a party of it. My brother and I had fun burning two well-known classics in our family's fireplace.
Ever since I was eleven I truly loved a work of Louisa May Alcott, Little Women. I have read the story at least twenty times; my life revolved around the lives of Jo, Amy, Beth and Meg. I quoted it, savored it, and basically lived it. I gave copies to all my girlfriends and talked over the elements of each chapter.
As I grew older I began to see little sermons were woven into the theme of the story. I studied Louisa May Alcott's life and found to my amazement that she was an avid feminist and a scholar of Thoreau and Emerson. After that, every time I picked up the book yet another anti-biblical philosophy came to light.
Jo,the heroine, proclaims throughout the book her desire to shun her feminity and pursue a life of manly activities; detesting any feminine and delicate dress, speech, or action. She is written as a humorous character; funny and delightful. This was Mrs. Alcott's way of influencing the reader, through gentle persuasion, that women possesing the passion for manly pursuits have a noble goal. Although on a much more subdued level than many modern books, this story has a sermon; which, in my life, has done much damage. Mrs. Alcott took her humanistic feminism and placed it among ribbons, posies and aprons. Dripping poison in honey will kill just as quickly. Jo is independent, strong willed, and unprotected. The father head in the story is obsolete, missing in the beginning and hidden in his library in the end.
The second book is Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, a book I had five copies of and treasured just as much as Little Women. The Lord has convicted me that again, this is more feminist propaganda.
Anne is the scholarly, young, liberated girl, winning the highest grades and living to go to college. Diana, made to stay home and learn the ways of homemaking by an over-controlling mother; marries and has children way before progressively modern thinking Anne does. Anne's life flows in easy and happy thoughts, Anne dreams. Diana is drudging along with a family to spoil everything. Mrs. Montgomery even mocked two extremely godly preachers; Dwight L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon. The slow boy, Moody Surgeon, mocked and scorned by the rest of the school district eventually chooses a career of divinity. This open scorn for Christ and his workers in an object of hilarity on the part of the author and all of Avonlea.

In both of these stories the heroines are mocking God's plan for women. They are drawn to godless institutions and unbiblical ideas which take them away from the home and duties they should embrace. The result of a life such as this for women, without God and leadership, is confusion and ultimately despair. Women were made, by a loving Creator, to help their father and their future husband(Genesis 2:18 Then God said, "It is not good for man to live alone, therefore; I will make a helpmate suitable for him."). This calling is wonderful and created especially for us. As we follow our God-given authorities we see a wonderful vision given to us by God.

Psalm 128
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

God has been good to me and brought godly books that glorify God's plan for women to replace those that I lost. Here are a few that I love;

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss
Mother by Kathleen Norris
The Mildred Keith Series by Martha Finley

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies so let me know of any good books that encourage ladies to embrace their calling.



The book burning, my heart was filled with joy as the flames licked the lies. :)

3 comments:

Patrinas Pencil said...

I have enjoyed looking over your blog. It is absolutely lovely. All the pictures are so clear and oh how I love your header photo. I'm so excited to find new blood in blogville. I'm proud of your strong convictions here. My daughter loved both books too when she was young. He is now a pastor's wife and probably thinks the same as you about them. Your family sounds like a true blessing. And...a blesseded to have you as a strong part of them.

May God continue to grow you in His wisdom and grace. You are greatly admired by Him.

Patrina <")>><

Andrea said...

Oh, Maddie...I love this post! The title and the picture made me laugh as soon as I saw them. It's refreshing to see someone who thinks this way about these two, much revered books; I heartily concur with your assessment. Well said. =)
~Andrea

Unknown said...

Madeleine, my dear......My heart rejoices as I see you taking the route of "going against the tide" of what is popular. Instead you are standing up for God's principles in His view of women. You are choosing the road of true contentment and blessings. May you always keep your eyes on Him & His purpose for your life. I love you...more than chocolate xoxo>