The Excellent Wife: Study Guide

Rating:
Summary: This IS NOT a biblical approach to the Excellent Wife
Review: How disheartened I was when I read in Peace's book that women do not glorify God but ONLY their husbands! As a seminarian and someone who is doing thorough research on the Proverbs 31 woman as a mentor for us Christian women (young), I was, simply put, outraged about the misuse of scripture--what one would call prooftext-ing (when someone uses random parts of scripture to prove a point not necessarily made by the context of that passage). With the emphasis on "by your will" you can become this excellent wife, I would like to state that this is in accurate. It is not by will but by the grace we become better Christians. In Galatians we read what the fruits of the flesh are and what the fruits of the spirit are, Paul also informs us that it is the Spirit working in us. When reading Proverbs 31:10-31, we have to read it bottom up. We have to start with Proverbs 31:30: "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." (ESV). For this is the verse that shows us what a Proverbs 31 woman is and guides us--as women--as to how we become this woman; it is not through the works that she does, it is through her trust in, fear and reverence of the Lord. It is only through this fear in the lord that we can become Godly woman, thus, Godly wives. It is by no act of our own will that this transformation will occur. It is through Fear of the Lord that we are transformed.

The proverbs 31 woman is not a mold to fit each of us into; she is a glimpse of restoration--the glimpse of restoration of God and Woman...Since the fall and before Christ, woman and God were separated, their relationship severed. Women were, according to the curse in Genesis, put under their husbands. Yet, let us rejoice! For Christ has restored our broken relationship. We can dance and sing and know our freedom to sit at God's feet, to learn torah, to commune with the One and Holy God, YWHW...with Our Lord and Savior. We can, because of Christ's life, person and work, grasp the Word and inwardly digest it, allowing It to transform us and reshape us. Read Luke 10:38-42, see how Mary is praised for sitting in the position that is reserved for a disciple. The long reign of woman restricted to the domestic life was ended at that moment. Yes, I believe that women should not neglect their wifery or mothering duties--if God has so blessed you, heed the words of Paul, the great Apostle; yet, know that this choice is out of freedom, is out of Grace bestowed upon you by Christ!.

Why does her, the P31 woman, husband have full trust in her? Not because she is submitted to him but because she is submitted to God! A submitted Christian Woman is a beautiful gem in deed; she is Eve restored--yet, not in full...we've still have to wait...Thus, no one will ever be, without the Second Coming, a full P31 woman.

And, YES THERE IS MUTUAL SUBMISSION! Ephesians 5 clearly states, in English and in Greek, that we are to submit one to the other...Submission is a requirement for all men and women branded as Christian. We are to be, each of us, least of all. Husbands are to submit to their wives by laying their life down for them as Christ laid His life down for the Church; and, they are to love their wives as their own body. Women are to submit to their husbands by respecting them and allowing them to be men--yes, he is in authority, but it's a loving and cherishing authority...as he has authority over his own body. They love us as their own body and we respect them. We need to read the historical and cultural context of the "submission" passages and know why Paul was writing what he wrote to those specific churches.

One cannot and should not randomly select texts and passages to prove one's point. This is what this book does. Thus, it becomes discredited.

Also, the book jumps to conclusions and uses basic Christian life scripture and twists it to form to the use in wifery.

My heart grieves for all women who are trying to be a Godly Wife by their own will; failure is imminent.


Rating:
Summary: Growing in the Lord
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. It uses the Bible as a guide on how to become a godly wife. It encourages us to discover the way God intended a wife to be-a helpmeet for her husband. You will learn how to help your husband become the best he can be through your godly influence, and you will find ways to be more joyful as a wife and mother.

Rating:
Summary: Misrepresented item
Review: I feel that this item was misrepresented, as there is no mention in the description that says it is a "study guide". I purchased this book thinking it was the complete volume, but received a study guide instead. Please make your descriptions COMPLETE!

Rating:
Summary: Misrepresented item
Review: I feel that this item was misrepresented, as there is no mention in the description that says it is a "study guide". I purchased this book thinking it was the complete volume, but received a study guide instead. Please make your descriptions COMPLETE!

Rating:
Summary: I really disliked this book
Review: I really did not like this book at all. Because God made so many varied individuals and so many differing personalities, I am untrustworthy of any book that seeks to place an overemphasis on the behavioral role of women in marriage. We are all responsible to obey God and follow the Word, but for goodness sakes, there is no ONE mandated and rigid Christian formula for marriage. If you are type that firmly believes that the responsibility solely lies in your hands to "submit" to your husband...while totally ignoring the previous passage of how he needs to love you like Christ loves the church, I'm sure you will love this book. I, however, did not.

Rating:
Summary: Misrepresented item
Review: In my life, God uses books a lot to take me the next step. This book has been a life saver. It takes the struggles and questions we have as a wife and gives you the God's perspective with the real truth on what YOU can do, versus waiting on someone else to change or come through. I recommend it as a must for any wife seeking to move on with God.

Rating:
Summary: God uses books...and this is one
Review: In my life, God uses books a lot to take me the next step. This book has been a life saver. It takes the struggles and questions we have as a wife and gives you the God's perspective with the real truth on what YOU can do, versus waiting on someone else to change or come through. I recommend it as a must for any wife seeking to move on with God.

Rating:
Summary: Antiquated and stiff
Review: It is truly a wonder that Jesus hasn't already returned to Earth to pass judgement on socially blinded and hypocritical people like Martha Peace. Are we to believe that women's role in society today should be as it was 2000 years ago? Keep "Catcher in the Rye" and burn this book you stupid facist.

Rating:
Summary: Antiquated and stiff
Review: THE EXCELLENT WIFE is the most wonderful book I have ever read on the christian woman's place in life! Martha is a genuine writer, sharing things that most would not go near. She does not fill ones head with the mumbo-jumbo of 'take care of yourself first' psychology~ rather she admonishes and eqips all women how to overcome the sin of not submitting. She confronts sinful behavior in the marriage and the church for what it is- sin. She uses the only authority for dealing with sinful behavior, the Bible. She then offers hope and encouragement with practical suggestions and heart-examining techniques to assist one in their growth in Christ. Martha has done a wonderful job in this accompanying study guide- I don't suggest anyone read the book without reading and working through this also! It reiterates what she has discussed and assists one in examining their own life to be more of what God would have them to be. Praise God for Martha's uncompromised writings on the role for women that God originated and the world seeks to deteriorate! Praise God!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent to work with while reading the book!
Review: THE EXCELLENT WIFE is the most wonderful book I have ever read on the christian woman's place in life! Martha is a genuine writer, sharing things that most would not go near. She does not fill ones head with the mumbo-jumbo of 'take care of yourself first' psychology~ rather she admonishes and eqips all women how to overcome the sin of not submitting. She confronts sinful behavior in the marriage and the church for what it is- sin. She uses the only authority for dealing with sinful behavior, the Bible. She then offers hope and encouragement with practical suggestions and heart-examining techniques to assist one in their growth in Christ. Martha has done a wonderful job in this accompanying study guide- I don't suggest anyone read the book without reading and working through this also! It reiterates what she has discussed and assists one in examining their own life to be more of what God would have them to be. Praise God for Martha's uncompromised writings on the role for women that God originated and the world seeks to deteriorate! Praise God!