The last fifty years have been baffling for women because what it
means to be a woman is constantly changing. The steady flow of celebrity
images especially contributes to identity confusion among Christian women.
"Still, if false notions about celebrity were all women's media was selling,
it probably wouldn't matter much. But, that isn't the case. What you are
also told and sold are some very negative messages about your own lives,
and that's a lot more important. Women's media often wants you to buy
notions of unhappiness and victimization and all the political baggage that
goes with it . . .. Women's magazines are powerful," writes Myrna Blyth,
former editor of More magazine. Christian women must be on guard against
the freethinking messages found in fashionable magazines. These secular
magazines are at odds with a biblical worldview. Ann Coulter says, "Liberals
love to boast that they are not'religious', which is what one would expect to
hear from the state-sanctioned religion. Of course liberalism is a religion. It
has its own cosmology, its own miracles, its own beliefs in the supernatural,
its own churches, its own high priests, its own saints, its own total
worldview, and its own explanation of the existence of the universe. In other
words, liberalism contains all of the attributes of what is generally known as
'religion.'"
Too few Christians are aware of the influence the liberal media is
having on their lives. Popular magazines influence readers about social
issues, health care, the environment, and the need for government action.
Many stories focus on frightening crimes, materialism, and promiscuity, in
order to gain readership. There is a recurring message that we are victims
of stress and the unfairness. Solutions to common life problems such as
addictions, anxiety, fear, depression, or anger are presented from a medical
perspective. It is hard to find information in the media about personal
responsibility or making tough choices and then living with them.
Virginia Beane Rutter writes in her book, Woman Changing Woman,
"Modern women lack a rich tradition of story telling in which to place their
own experience. Television soap operas and romance novels are superficial
and wholly inadequate substitutes for intimate relationships . . .. Women
need to find their own voices and tell their own stories." Again,
Christian women unconsciously absorb ideals and morals through the media
that are in sharp contrast to the values and principles found in the Bible.
These erroneous beliefs affect the way they live and have a huge impact on
their choices. Moreover, since women naturally communicate their values
with each other, ungodly ideals and attitudes spread rapidly and can do much
harm.
Though all women are unique, they have a shared nature through which
they can learn about their lives, their culture, and themselves. That is
why transitions and problems faced by women can open doors of opportunity
for influencing a hurting world for God. Healthy Christian relationships
find stability in a God-centered perspective based on clear and simple
teachings from the Bible. When trying to persuade another woman to obey
God, one of the most effective ways is by listening carefully and avoiding
easy answers. This shows spiritual grace and removes unhealthy guilt while
encouraging and showing respect.
Christian women need to challenge and encourage each other to take a
close look at their values and beliefs. The desired result of these "back
to the basics" relationships between women is standards that are more
Biblical and less secular. When seeking counsel from others it is wise to
listen to the words of A. W. Tozer, "Listen to no man who fails to listen to
God . . . .No man has any right to offer advice who has not first heard God
speak. No man has any right to counsel others who is not ready to hear the
voice of the Lord. True moral wisdom must always be an echo of God's voice.
The only safe light for our path is the light which is reflected from Christ, the
Light of the World."
Even in our liberal driven society there are excellent materials
available to counter a godless culture and empower Christian women to live
holy lives. Nevertheless, too many Christian women race through their lives
and sit mindlessly in front of their televisions and other secular media.
As a result they do not grow in their faith. Only a living relationship with God
through His Holy Spirit can give us the power to stand against the secular
media idol.
I am eager to use my God-given abilities to persuade others to serve
God with obedience and joy. Jesus is allowing me to enjoy transformational
friendships through the ministry He has given me. I can be a living story
to a hurting world and so can you. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person
sharpens another." NIRV (Proverbs 27:17)
END NOTES:
Blyth, Myrna. Spin Sisters: How the Women of the Media Sell Unhappiness and Liberalism to the Women of America. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2004.
Coulter, Ann. Godless: The Church of Liberalism. Crown Forum: New York, New York, 2006.
Rutter, Virginia Beane. Woman Changing Woman: Feminine Psychology Re-Conceived Through Myth and Experience. San Francisco, California: HarperCollins, 1993.
Tozer, A. W. The Roots of Righteousness. Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1986.
Bibliography
Crabb Jr., Dr. Larry. Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. 1993.
Van Leeuwen, Mary Stewart. Gender & Grace: Love, Work & Parenting in a Changing World. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity. 1990.
The Holy Bible, Today's New International Version, TNIV. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan. 2005.
End Notes
[1] Dr. Larry Crabb, Jr., Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993), p. 28.
[2] Ibid. p. 175-176.
All pages copyright 1999 - 2008 Leslie Shaw Holzmann
