Unseduced and Unshaken

“The goal of using our voice is not just to be noticed, but with humility to gracefully be fully present in relationships. Deferring to another person does not require that we be ignored; allowing that is cowardice. Hiding, a form of dishonesty, prevents true community.”

This is a refreshingly academic book for women that calls them to self-possession, intelligence, and dignity. Using Biblical backing, literary examples, and logical arguments, Rosalie de Rosset and her fellow contributors make the case for a fuller, more challenging Christian womanhood.

In de Rossett's eyes, the defining characteristic of a Christian woman should be dignity. Not the stuffy, uptight trait you might be thinking of, but a whole character typified by self-possession, strength, courage, and intelligence that stems from a deeply grounded sense of worth in Jesus Christ.

This attempts to reinforce the responsibility of women to follow all the commands that Jesus lays out for Christians. Too often women slip into a form of "women's Christianity," the kind that only cares about practical self-help theology books. They fall prey to teaching that relegates their whole life purpose to domesticity. De Rossett holds Christian women up to the same standard as Christian men, and the result is a fuller picture of a Christian woman's life.

Some may feel that the book goes too far; others that it doesn't go far enough. De Rosset throws ideas out into the open more than she lays down law. If you're looking for rules and regulations here you will be disappointed. As this book calls you to be a thinking woman, it expects you to be one too.

De Rosset is a professor, and a certain professorial tone creeps into the book.Thus it can feel too scholarly at times, in some places feeling more like lecture notes than prose. Her literature background creeps in too, as she spends quite a bit of time breaking down the vices and virtues of some well-known literary heroines.

Her fellow writers are generally less academic. Even with their more relatable styles, though, they almost lack her fervor and passion, so it's a trade-off. The book has discussion questions and suggested reading at the end of each chapter.

This is a book for all Christian women, but particularly for those who've spent too many years minimizing their responsibilities because of their God-given gender. Unseduced and Unshaken calls women to be what God intended; nothing less.

Review by Lauren Shearer
Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews here.