Set Apart

After my last experience delving in to the world of literature for the "Christian" young woman, I was even more hesitant to read the next book on my list. However, when it arrived at the library, I checked it out prepared to be disappointed and frustrated with yet another book of feel-good, sappy, Jesus-ness. Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy (co-author of When God Writes Your Love Story, which did nothing to raise my expectations of this book) claims to be "not the same old message you've always heard. It's a radical call to counterculture lifestyle in which every aspect of your femininity… is shaped by an intimate relationship with your King of kings. It's the kind of heroic femininity that the world changing women of history understood." I pondered this book's potential as I wandered home from the library; to be honest, this book's back-cover left me no more impressed than Captivating's, a feeling that was only solidified by my brother's declaration of, "that looks like a horrible book." Nevertheless, I resolved to read it, or at least flip through it until I could no longer tolerate it. However, flipping it open to the table of contents nearly made me gag. Titles such as "Sacred Mystique: femininity that changes men into princes," "Sacred Priority: femininity that captivates [there's that word again!] the masculine heart," and "Sacred Ardor: femininity that makes marriage dreams come true" nearly made me toss the book aside!

I still find the titles of the chapters repulsive (perhaps that word is a little strong but I like it :D), but if I had to recommend a book of this genre to a fellow sister in Christ it would be this book. There are still some aspects of it I find frustrating, and I'm not sure what she bases some of her statements on, but overall it's the best of its kind I've read. Ludy clearly emphasizes the main problem I had with Captivating, that apart from God we are NOT beautiful. She says that, "The God of the universe, the Author of all that is good and lovely, passed by and saw me in wretched, hopeless condition. He was not attracted to my beauty or goodness because I had none. I had absolutely nothing to offer him. I was ugly and helpless, drowning in the blood of my own guilt and condemnation. But incredibly, beyond all logic, beyond all comprehension, He had compassion on me. He rescued me. He entered in a covenant with me. He made me His own." Ludy writes passionately against Christian mediocrity, she exhorts young women to be bold prayer-warriors and slaves to Christ abandoning our own passions. She stressed the importance of living for God because of what He has done for us, not because of what He might do for us if we live for Him.

As I stated above, I still have some issues with the book. Although she does back up most of her declarations with Scripture, there are times when she does not. Be advised if you read this book, to be very aware of what is or is not backed up by Scripture. If you can't back up your statements with scripture, you ought not to make them. However, with a couple of sections in the book, even though she did not use any scripture I could very easily think of Bible passages she could have used. I challenge you to read with a Bible next to you, if you can't find it in scripture take it to someone who's faith you admire and ask them, if they can't, disregard that statement! Another problem I had with this book is that Ludy uses herself many times as an example of how to do things right. Whether or not she did do things right, I personally find it very frustrating when authors or speakers seem to speak of themselves as much as they do of God. And while Ludy does use quite a few other godly Christian women as examples, she uses herself just as often.

Even though I don't' agree with her on every point, I admire Leslie Ludy for not being afraid to write a book that is meant to challenge instead of excuse, promote femininity for the glory of God instead of ruining it by making its sole purpose to acquire worldly admiration. May God bless every young woman who actively seeks to be Set-Apart to God, to be focused on the glory of Christ and not the glory of self, to be captivated and not captivating.