I'd been so excited about the arrival of Carrie Sandom's book Different by Design. Often when I get overly excited about the arrival of a book when it actually comes and I read it I'm disappointed! However this was very much not the case with this book.
In a world where gender roles are becoming more and more blurred Different by Design goes back to the Bible to discover what God's blueprint is for men and women. The book is grounded in the Bible with many passages written out in full. It covers many passages that may be seen to be complicated and so may be ignored by other books.
Carrie Sandom has served in women’s and student ministry for almost 20 years, so she has a wealth of stories, which are use to illustrate points in the book. This means that the book is not simply a theoretical explanation of the role of men and women according to Scripture, although such is outlined with great detail and clearness, it also outlines what this means for us practically in home, work and the church. Although all three chapters were useful and challenging, I found the chapter on work particularly helpful as I had read many things before on the role of women but many of these did not include how women should behave towards men while at work. While I believe that women's primary role should be at home, at this particular stage in life I have to work outside the home and this was a most informative and useful chapter.
The book closes by looking at heaven when all will be perfected. I felt that this was particularly apt as it highlighted that nothing in this life will ever be perfect as presently we live the shadowlands and thus no matter how perfect our marriage, family life etc may appear to be they are nothing compared to the glory that is to come. There are discussion questions included and I feel the book would make a great bible study group resource as it is grounded in scripture and practical but also has an eternal perspective.
There are two small things I don't like about this book. On the back they "Carrie Sandom is Associate Minister for Women and Pastoral Care". This may be her title but I feel it gives the wrong impression as the title Minister is generally used for someone who preaches to a mixed congregation, the main overseer in a church and throughout the book she makes it clear she is against this. Also when introducing Bible passages three dots are used (...). Don't know why but this really irritated me!!!
Published by Christian Focus.
Carrie Sandom has served in women’s and student ministry for almost 20 years, so she has a wealth of stories, which are use to illustrate points in the book. This means that the book is not simply a theoretical explanation of the role of men and women according to Scripture, although such is outlined with great detail and clearness, it also outlines what this means for us practically in home, work and the church. Although all three chapters were useful and challenging, I found the chapter on work particularly helpful as I had read many things before on the role of women but many of these did not include how women should behave towards men while at work. While I believe that women's primary role should be at home, at this particular stage in life I have to work outside the home and this was a most informative and useful chapter.
The book closes by looking at heaven when all will be perfected. I felt that this was particularly apt as it highlighted that nothing in this life will ever be perfect as presently we live the shadowlands and thus no matter how perfect our marriage, family life etc may appear to be they are nothing compared to the glory that is to come. There are discussion questions included and I feel the book would make a great bible study group resource as it is grounded in scripture and practical but also has an eternal perspective.
There are two small things I don't like about this book. On the back they "Carrie Sandom is Associate Minister for Women and Pastoral Care". This may be her title but I feel it gives the wrong impression as the title Minister is generally used for someone who preaches to a mixed congregation, the main overseer in a church and throughout the book she makes it clear she is against this. Also when introducing Bible passages three dots are used (...). Don't know why but this really irritated me!!!
Published by Christian Focus.
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