Found A New Blog This A.M.

A husband/wife team over at Covenant Wedding Source recently started a new blog of their own called "Confronting the Culture." I visited their site this morning and was encouraged to see other Christians trying to make a difference in the blogosphere.

We have their booklet titled The Merchant Maiden: Earning an Income Without Compromising Convictions. It includes subjects such as: "Can a young woman work while staying under the authority of her father? How can parents guide their daughters to the right sorts of income-producing opportunities?" I haven't read the book yet, but Sarah has and said it was very interesting. I will have to post a book review when I finish reading it.

Anyway, I guess these subjects interest us at this stage in child-rearing. We're not to the point of "picking out modest wedding dresses" but are considering "starting that home business," and these resources are great to have available when the time comes.

~Deb 

Comments

[Bet]

I can't access that blog yet (it's on blogspot, which is blocked here on campus), so I can't comment specifically on what it says.

My biggest question, however, is at what point under this philosophy can a daughter work outside the home? never? what if she never marries? is she still under her father's authority at age 25 and 30 and 35 and 40? Why are home-based businesses better than those that are conducted outside the home? This is just such a foreign concept to me. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing, but the logistics of it seem problematic in many ways.

By the way, my office mate started teaching a new course this year in the School of Business called "Home-Based Business." It was an extremely popular class. I think people really would like to start their own businesses if they can. It's a neat idea.

[Tom & Deb]

Bet, thanks for your comment and questioning. Sorry I’m late getting a reply back as Micah was here all evening for supper and visiting. Fun!

Actually, a daughter staying home with her family until she is ready to marry and then being given in marriage by her father seems to have been the normal pattern for most of history, maybe until the last several decades. This approach just seems foreign to us because we grew up in the late 1900s after it was pretty much lost. And this is not to say that it would automatically be sin for anyone to ever have a different path. The Lord ordains some to singleness and many (most) to marriage.

But the Bible has consistent examples and instruction of young ladies being under the loving protection, authority, and training with their parents, particularly dads. Some fathers (Lot, for example) did a poor job for sure, but the form was there. If the Lord calls a young lady to singleness and some ministry, she should just solicit wisdom and counsel from her parents so that she still maintains some spiritual authority and protection – and in case the Lord calls her to marriage later, her heart is still fully able to honor and submit to that husband with a whole heart without having developed the wrong kind of independent spirit. There is no “formula” that covers every situation and every exceptional circumstance.

Here’s a link to a website that gives another family's thoughts. http://www.beingvirtuouswomen.com/quillpen/index.htm. (There are several questions on this page, but you can scroll down to the following question. "Question: Where biblically does the Bible speak on daughters (especially older daughters when they reach their twenties) and the fathers as the authority?)

Another fairly long question/answer article is found at the Ladies Against Feminism website. www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/article_80.shtml

On the home-based business idea, the attraction of that for a young lady is related to all the above, as well as to learn valuable productive skills. This could set her up for living according to the scriptures:

“…that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home… that the word of God may not be dishonored.” (Titus 2:4-5)

(see also Proverbs 31:10-31, describing the wife who is an industrious worker at and from the home, watching out primarily for her household)

Obviously, there can be rebellious daughters who are at home, and there can be godly ladies who have some ministry outside of the home. But the normal pattern and biblical wisdom indicate that a lady being at home under the godly protection and authority of her parents, then her husband, is most conducive to honoring God with her life.

[Chris]

Very Interesting! I was able to get on their site and it realy has lots to offer. Seems like their gowns and dresses are really a good deal as well as pretty. I enjoyed reading their story and browsing around the site. Thanks for the tip. BTW I also enjoyed reading the comment by "Tom and Deb". Very well done and good supportive scripture!!!! Can't emphasize enough the danger of an independant spirit and how it can cause lots of problems for the young lady and her future husband/family! THANKS !!!!
Chris

[Bet]

An interesting perspective, Tom & Deb. As I said, it's not that I'm opposed to the idea. It's just that I see lots of potential for exceptions, as you mention. I'm sure my own experience has something to do with it. I can't imagine what I'd be doing now if I had stayed home for all these years. Maybe I'd be running my own business instead of being behind in grading my papers!! :)

Seriously, I simply trust that God knows what He is doing in my life and that I'm right where He wants me to be, doing exactly what He wants me to be doing. That is the comfort that we have in trusting God.

(Sorry for asking a question about this when y'all were so busy.... you didn't have to answer right away. But thanks for the explanation.)