| Title | : | Beautifully Distinct |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 178498521X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781784985219 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 144 |
| Publication | : | First published June 1, 2020 |
In this book, godly, clear-thinking women talk about a range of areas of life and culture. They help us to be thoughtful about films, books, and the media; set out biblical principles for approaching topics such as body image and racism; and encourage us to shape the world around us for Christ---becoming beautifully distinct.
Beautifully Distinct Reviews
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Four stars for the book as a whole; one star for the essay about food.
This anthology shares short essays from Christian women from a variety of different backgrounds. It is diverse and thoughtful, and for the most part, the women write within their areas of life experience and topical expertise, sharing biblical reflections and personal insights about topics like race, body image, media discernment, and literature. However, it has taken me a month and a half to get around to adding this to Goodreads, because I felt a need to write a detailed takedown of the chapter about food, but have not had the time or emotional energy to do it. Basically, the chapter about dietary issues and questions related to healthy eating was in the wrong hands, because the woman who wrote it has no personal experience with food sensitivities, and also did not research the subject enough to understand it.
I agreed with maybe 90% of what she said, when she directed her message towards people who are tempted to elitism about food, fear-based dietary decisions, or endless quests for personal optimization through the perfect diet that will change their life. However, what she writes about people with food allergies and sensitivities is unkind, untrue, and profoundly unhelpful, especially since she is a Christian teacher who is modeling this dialogue for others.
She tells her readers that irritability is always, exclusively, only a sin problem, and that it is not affected by diet. That is objectively untrue, and it does not take a lot of research to understand this. Also, she has children, and I cannot imagine that every time her children have ever gotten irritable, she has exclusively attributed this to their sin, instead of sometimes saying things like, "Wow, you really need lunch," or "You need a nap." For all that she wrote about us being bodies and souls, she actively denied that bodily factors influence our behavior.
Also, she encourages people with food-based sensitivities to accept someone's hospitality even when it involves food that they would not usually eat. She says that if someone has a peanut allergy, then of course they should decline a PB&J from their neighbor, but if they just "feel better" if they don't eat gluten, then they should accept the food. In other words: "If you have a medical explanation that I can understand, then you should decline food from your neighbor, but if I don't understand what your problem is, then you should suck it up, take the food, and suffer."
Granted, she might have based this advice on a comment from a gluten-sensitive friend. Maybe they told her that when they're visiting someone in particular, they'll eat whatever they're offered, because they know that the other person won't understand, and don't want to hurt their feelings. However, even if she based this advice in actual input from someone with food sensitivities, it is still inappropriate to give this as sweeping advice. There is a whole range of what "feeling better" means. Does someone feel better when they avoid gluten, in the sense that they experience a slight increase in energy, or do they prevent intense stomach pains, brain fog, and irritability when they avoid gluten?
Yes, irritability! An issue that entwines both sin and physical weakness, because we are both bodies and souls! For the past ten years, I have politely declined food that I cannot eat, because when I eat things that my body is reactive to, it hugely affects my ability to function as a human being. I deny my neighbor's well-meaning hospitality out of love for God, myself, my family, and everyone else that I am come in contact with, so that I am not the dysfunctional, emotional, depressed, anxious, and rage-filled person that I was for several years before discovering my food sensitivities.
I politely decline food for the good of humanity, and it is not a selfish choice. I have put myself into socially awkward positions hundreds and hundreds of times so that I am able to behave in a way that honors God, be calm, collected, and peaceful, and be loving towards other people. Granted, my situation is very extreme, and other people with food sensitivities can cheat on their diets without immense suffering for everyone involved, but it was incredibly discouraging and enraging to read this chapter from someone who made no effort to understand food-sensitive people.
I don't expect anyone else's writing to resemble my experience, or the extremes that I have gone through. However, this chapter is irresponsible and disrespectful, and puts food-sensitive people into the position of being blamed for being too picky, too exacting, or too stuck up, when they politely decline food at a social event. People who already struggle to understand food issues can read this chapter, see a Christian leader confirming their biases, and go on saying the same insensitive, hurtful, condescending, and blaming things that they have already been saying to food-sensitive people in their lives.
I know that the author did not have any ill intent. She simply doesn't know, and as I processed this chapter in the week after I read the book, I kept emphasizing to myself that it's ignorance, and that ignorance can be corrected. However, it's incredibly discouraging that this essay made it all the way through the publication process without anyone smoothing out some of these issues, and it brought back a lot of traumatic memories of church people blaming me for my problems. I had a really great childhood church experience overall, and mostly have wonderful memories of the Christian community that I grew up in, but I also remember thinking, as people questioned and doubted my mom about our experiences, "Just take me for a week. Just live with me for a week, and see what my life is like, and then you will stop saying all of these ignorant things."
I am thankful that the people at my current church have been so understanding, accepting, and casual about my family's food limitations, and some of the people from my previous church who made the most hurtful comments now have a totally different perspective. However, this book reminded me how rare that is, and how lucky I am to be in an environment where people are so understanding, nonjudgmental, and totally comfortable with me not eating food with them. It's discouraging that despite how much progress society at large has made in understanding people's food issues, there are some people who don't get it, haven't tried, and will publish things out of total ignorance.
I enjoyed this essay collection as a whole, and I am glad that I read it. This long, impassioned review isn't intended to turn people off from giving it a chance, because it's a great book, but I felt the need to explain my issues with this one particular chapter, partly to get it out of my system, and also in hopes that someone else with similar struggles might be encouraged, or that someone who hasn't thought about this issue before might be able to balance out their perspective. -
A solid, thought-provoking read. Way too short to go into any real depth on any of the topics, but a great jumping off point for discussion. We used it as a discussion guide in our ladies Bible study group, which worked really well.
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A really encouraging read on practical ways we can be engaging our world with grace and truth, through meaningful conversation and storytelling.
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This book is a short/easy read while at the same time really thought provoking. It would be especially helpful to read with others as it has really relevant topics for the Church today. It touches on crucial conversations that we need to be having together, to faithfully image Christ to each other and to the world. I loved how it is a book filled with women's voices who are firmly grounded on God's word. They are honest, insightful and consistently point the reader to Christ. I personally appreciated how several of the chapters made me reflect on my parenting and how I am teaching these things to my kids. Even though it is written mostly to the American church, it is still relevant to any believer interested in learning how faith & culture intersect. I love how it is divided into sections that have to do with thinking, listening and speaking well.
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EXCELLENT BOOK! I loved hearing from women I had never heard of previously (and will forever read anything by Jackie and Jen). Some chapters resonated with me more than others, though. It was a very easy read overall and I almost wish it was longer!
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Not at all what I expected. Good, but disjointed almost? Valuable nonetheless.
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A Biblically based, well written perspectives on worldview specifically for Christian women. I listened on audiobook, it was short and to the point, no fluff.
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As a Christian woman, how do we live a distinct life, and relish in the beauty of that life? Does it really matter the thought we give to cultural topics? How can we intentionally listen to those with differing voices? What does it look like to carefully speak the truths of scripture in a place where everyone has their own idea of truth? In ‘Beautifully Distinct: Conversations with Friends on Faith, Life, and Culture,’ several respected, female authors attempt to answers those questions surrounding movies, sex, work, immigration, food, racism, and more.
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Because there are many contributors (edited by @trillianewbell), there are a wide range of tones, backgrounds, cultures, influences, and life experiences represented in this book which one could argue is an opportunity for division; yet all these authors are, most importantly, united as one, as sisters in Christ. Each chapter, focusing on a different facet of society, puts the emphasis on how the gospel goes forth as a result of the issue at hand. Each chapter challenges the reader to take a hard look at her own heart, and perhaps repent. I like that this is not a book to pit Christians against secular society, but is a helpful tool to compassionately and patiently engage with it.
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“We must look at ourselves and seek the truth about how our lack of knowledge, history, or understanding, and our silence, anger, or apathy prevent the message of Jesus Christ from going forth to all people” (90, Conversations on Race).
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“As Christians seeking to love those around us, we can read in order to develop empathy and compassion for our real-life neighbors” (59, The Value of Literature).
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“... what I send out through my feeds is a reflection of the true condition of my heart” (103, Surfing the Social-Media Wave).
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My only critique is that it being a compilation of authors is that there seems to be a disjointed flow and chopped thoughts, but again, that is the nature of the book so I can’t be too picky. I wish Part 2 would have never ended, and I hope an elaborated book is birthed out of it. I also wish the words “beautifully distinct” would have been more obvious in each chapter.
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This book will not only make the reader uncomfortable at times, but if given the chance, it will also challenge the reader to pause to think deeply, listening carefully, and speak boldly on today’s societal issues. Overall, if you are looking for a book that highlights the reality of today’s newspaper headings while simultaneously giving you hope in Christ, read this book.
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“We have the opportunity to listen to those who are not like us, reaching out and seeking to understand new perspectives so that we can go ‘into the world’ effectively with a message of Jesus” (10). -
The concept made for a good book, but would have made a great podcast. Would recommend especially to newer Christian women, or as a starting point for discussion amongst women on various topics in the Christian life.
In her chapter on literature, KSP quotes Paul in his letter to the Philippians, a verse which sums up this book well:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 -
completion note: This book is just one of the many reasons why I like The Good Book Company publisher. Very good.
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What does it mean to live in this world with Biblical wisdom and confidence? In Beautifully Distinct, edited by Trillia Newbell, you can join the conversation on faith, life, and culture.
Worldview Discussion
With contributions from Jen Wilkin, Jackie Hill Perry, Courtney Reissig, and more - this book is an introduction and thinking through a Biblical worldview. 11 topics are separated into 3 sections: (1) Being thoughtful, (2) listening well, and (3) speaking well.
The chapters on movies, sex, and work are important in any worldview discussion. I found the chapters on literature, food, and beauty to be especially eye-opening. These are topics I haven’t given much thought to as a man, and I feel like I have a lot more to explore.
Race and Immigration
Especially relevant to our times are the chapters on race and loving the immigrant. Practical steps are offered in becoming aware and becoming advocates. These chapters champion diversity in the church. In fact, Jesus is the most notable refugee in Scripture: a Middle-Eastern refugee whose family fled to Egypt to avoid the massacre ordered by Herod.
The book concludes with chapters on social media and telling your story. A common theme is that we are given the unique opportunity to highlight God’s grace in our lives. And we must do so carefully and courageously so we do not waste our words.
Listen and Learn
While this book is written by and for women, I learned so much by simply reading what they had to say. These are women with different stories and backgrounds, but they all excel at showing me our Savior. To be a better brother, I must listen and learn from my sisters.
I received a media copy of Beautifully Distinct and this is my honest review. -
Rarely do I give a five star rating, and this book has earned it through the great discomfort and response of my own heart, soul, and mind. It took me longer to read than most books of it's length, as I found myself having to reflect after a chapter, maybe two before I could move on. Now that I'm finished, as I ponder the 11 themes covered (side note: by different women to show other women what a beautifully distinct believer might think, read, wonder, pursue, and focus on as she seeks to bring glory to God) this book makes me wriggle in my seat. It produces just a bit of discomfort as each chapter examines an area of life, faith, and culture, and even more as the book is split into three parts: being thoughtful, listening well, and speaking well. Yep, wriggle-- wriggle is a little different than wiggle. Wriggle is more of a 3-d response or discomfort, while wiggling is just back and forth.
I do recommend this book, wriggling in my thinking and choosing, is an appropriate place to be as I contemplate hospitality to believers, to believers with different theology, to non-believers in my home (really in my life). As I contemplate my job as a believer to be wise biblically led advocate for all races of people by God's design, and Jesus modeling. As I think about what story I share to other believers and non-believers alike- does my heart that shows in my thoughts, words, and deeds show the godly woman living with the Holy Spirit leading me? or does my story show more of me and less of my love and awe for God?
It's a hard read, if you think and reflect your way through the book. But now I have 11 wider and godly perspectives to discuss with my girlfriends, my new acquaintances, and my own children.
Blessed to be a partner of thegoodbook company. -
The content is generally pretty good, but I don't actually think the title of the book gave a clear picture of what this would be about. Basically at it's core, this is a collection of essays and exhortations for Christian Women.
u>Side Notes
• I'm not a fan of polkadots, so this cover made me cringe.
• the intent behind the food chapter was great and people definitely idolize and go wayy too far with their food, believe anything off the internet, and act like food is their savior, but having food allergies is real and i feel like the author of this chapter should've done a little more research haha
• Dont rest when you should be working or work when you should be resting. then you be neither engaged in work or rest.
• Karen Swallow-Prior's chapter on reading is great! Yes!
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This was a book I threw in my cart one day while buying books for my kids and I'm beyond grateful that I did. It's wholesome, educating, and humbling.
Split into three sections, Being Thoughtful, Listening Well, and Speaking Well, each chapter in each section was written by a different contributor. The book flows incredibly well, despite all the authors. The chapter on reading good literature was wonderfully insightful, and the chapters on immigration and race are so timely and well-stated.
I'm highly recommending this book this year, because of the kindness and truthfulness within. Truthfulness which we all need to see and read more of.
5/5 stars. -
I gained a lot from this book! It was challenging in that it brought up topics that matter to our culture but are often overlooked in spiritual discussion. Topics like true hospitality, movies, social media, refugees and immigration, beauty, race, and more are addressed in a way that is helpful, accurate to scripture, and encouraging. Sprinkled with practical ways to live “distinctly” from the world, this book came with lots of food for thought about how to engage with culture in a way that is authentic to me and glorifying to God.
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The book finally put into words how I was feeling with body image, racism, work and other issues specifically directed at women within church context. It should be more about our personal spiritual journeys in each of these aspects instead of the perfectionism often embedded in church culture. I especially loved the chapter on wrestling with food in America's excess and how it relates to our spiritual life.
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In all, an alright book. I like the layout of the book, with the different essays from different writers. Some of the essays had some helpful pointers, some good stories, and some impressive quotes. But few of them have really stuck with me. On a positive note, tt was a fast read, and it was something positive to fill my mind with.
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On the back of the book, a review said that this book is perfect for the "working woman" and doesn't know where to start to "live a life of biblical significance." And that review is correct. However, because I have read a lot of theology books, many of the ideas were not new or radical to me. I really respect all the authors and hope to find books that dig deeper into theology by them.
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I borrowed this from the library, but now I am going to order my own copy. It’s a collection of different authors and writers who write short essays about their areas of expertise. I really appreciated hearing from a variety of women, and I felt appropriately challenged by each chapter. Each chapter speaks to how we can live distinct a culture THATS not always in line with Christianity.
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This book was really well done. I enjoyed listening to it. It covered topics that are applicable to life today. Topics such as movies, food, sex, working for God, literature, hospitality, loving the immigrant, race, social media, beauty and telling our story. I would read it again. It would work really well in a small group setting.
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Interesting and Biblical
I like the different perspectives in this book. It was interesting. There were chapters, of course, that resonated more with me than others. I’m a fan of Trillia Newbell. This book inspires me to look at people and culture differently as well as to tell my own story. -
Loved it! I have read most of these authors before and each chapter was like reuniting with a friend. Some chapters packed bigger punches than others but I felt like it flowed beautifully and was incredibly insightful. For being a book about culture and the times we live in I feel like it was written with such unwavering regard for scripture and the truth that it will age beautifully.
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I read this with another woman at church as part of our regular one-to-one, and found that it generated encouraging and challenging conversation. There were a few chapters which I felt didn't add much to the overall content, or that I didn't find as helpful perhaps.
It was a good little book, but didn't quite tackle the key idea/question in as much depth as I thought it might. -
great “launching pad��� of sorts to a number of really important topics; I loved getting to hear from a variety of diverse and thoughtful perspectives. this is a great book for getting conversation going on topics that really matter.
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My favorite chapters have been the Social Media chapter and the chapter on Beauty. I love that the godly women writing this book tackle hot societal topics in a gospel-centric way. Chapters are short and on separate topics, so it's a good resource, too.
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A collection of 11 short essays/chapters written by different authors about great topics. Some chapters made me want to sit and think more than others. I think this would make a great small group discussion book.
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Such a beautiful book written by women who love the Lord. Each chapter is a little taste of different topics whether it’s: social media, body image, sexuality, work etc. Highly recommend. Read with a group of college students I disciple and led to great conversations each week!
