Book Review: So Much More

“God has given principles for all people to live by.  Christians are supposed to know exactly what these principles are and live by them, setting the example and upholding the standard.  Yet Christians can be some of the most careless and ungrateful and forgetful people.  We Christians can be responsible for leading the culture either away from God’s design or toward it….Christians truly have been a part of the problem, because we have been careless wit the standard.” (pg. 1)

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We live in a culture that is increasingly feministic, anti-Christian, and antagonistic to the standards set forth in God’s Word. And, sadly, even many churches have bought into worldly philosophies and practices because we, as believers, as the ones who claim to live under the authority of God’s Word, have neglected to carefully examine and study the standards and expectations laid out for us in Scripture…and then to obey them.

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So Much More: The Remarkable Influence of Visionary Daughters on the Kingdom of God, was written by sisters, Ana Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin (who were, at the time of writing, only 15 and 17 years old).  This book is not your stereotypical Christian-teenage-girl survival guide.  In a straightforward style, utilizing a question-and-answer format, these young women address many of the issues that weigh on the minds and consciences of young single women in their late teen to young adult years: parental authority and protection, submission, feminism, the influence of Marxism, higher education, careers, purity, marriage, and ministry.  Each chapter is full of helpful footnotes, Scriptural references, and testimonies of other young women who have battled the influence and pull of the feminist agenda, and are seeking to follow God’s plan for their own lives.  They also include two appendices: “Advice to Fathers,” an interview with their own father, and, a collection of quotes on the nature, design, and purpose of Militant Feminism.  Their goal is to encourage young women to rise above the mediocre expectations of the world, and to change it for the better. 

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One of the main themes addressed throughout this book is one that, I believe, is in desperate need of attention today.  In a culture where fatherhood, and masculinity in general, is consistently denigrated, belittled, and mocked from every platform, these young ladies rightly emphasize the father’s God-given authority over his home and family, and with it, his duty to protect his daughters – spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  As daughters themselves, they encourage other young women to respond to their father’s guidance, instruction, and authority, joyfully, showing a genuine desire for it through actions and attitudes that prove herself worthy of it. 

“A godly daughter is her father’s graceful pillar (Psalm 144:12).  In her daddy’s palace, she is beautifying, supportive, and hospitable.  When outside the walls of her daddy’s palace, she is his ambassador, representative, and “arrow in the hand of a mighty warrior” (Psalm 127:4).  Through her countenance, carriage, and demeanor, she leaves the world in no doubt that she is a girl submitted to her father’s protection, the daughter of a king, a princess worthy of honor.” (pg. 80)

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While Scripture has much to say about the relationship between men and women, and parents and children, the authors rightly observe that there is much biblical instruction given to the father-daughter relationship.  To fill in the gap and lend authority to some of their assertions, they (admittedly) use verses that offer instruction to a wife, or address authority and submission in the context of a husband-wife relationship, and apply it as a paradigm for father-daughter relationships.  Yes, a daughter’s consistent habit of respect, honor, and obedience to her father can be valuable training for submitting to, and helping her future husband.  And, a daughter can, and should, use her time, abilities, and talents to help her family.  But, a daughter was not created to be her father’s helpmeet.  That responsibility, and privilege, belongs to his wife.  While some of these verses may be applicable to most male-female relationships (father-daughter included), some are specific to the roles of a husband and a wife, and must be treated as such.

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Many of the ideas presented by the Botkin sisters will be seen as radical, and even extreme in today’s culture.  And, it is possible that much of what is presented, or perhaps even the book as a whole, will be summarily dismissed by many as legalistic.  But, “extreme measures are exactly what is called for, and that a drastic step in the opposite direction is exactly what we need to take.” (pg. 8, emphasis original). 

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But, so long as the extreme and drastic changes being called for line up with Scripture, they cannot necessarily be equated with legalism.  The authors offer this definition of legalism: “the fleshly pursuit of man’s moralism in hopes of earning salvation.  Joyful obedience, on the other hand, to all of God’s precepts, is the response of the grateful believer who has been saved by grace through faith.” (pg. 9)  They make it clear, throughout the book, that legalistic adherence to a set of man-made standards is not what they are suggesting or promoting.  Instead, they are exhorting young women to act in joyful obedience to God’s Word, as a result of and response to God’s grace in their lives.  

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And, I greatly appreciate and agree with that aspect of their message.  However, I am sad to say that I did not agree with everything presented in this book. 

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Most disagreements were relatively minor, and were not issues of theological or doctrinal error.  Instead, they could be classified as matters of preference.  In most cases, our differing opinions caused me to carefully analyze, pray about, and think through my own convictions on a particular issue, strengthening them in the process.

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But, there were some ideas presented which moved beyond issues of preference, and into areas of unsound interpretation or application of biblical passages and principles.  The majority of these instances were usually the result of absolute statements – specifically dealing with Christian higher education, the mode of feminine dress, and short-term international missions.  The majority of the problematic statements were made by one woman (not one of the authors, but a contributor who was quoted extensively throughout the book), who drew heavily on her own (negative) experiences to defend her conclusions.  Several of her opinions seemed to be based on incorrect interpretations of biblical passages, or personal experiences which resulted from an apparent lack of wisdom and discernment.  It is unfortunate, because many of her observations – though not true about all short-term missions organizations, or all Christian colleges or universities – were valid.  But, sadly, her false, blanket accusations of corruption and pragmatism caused many potentially helpful statements and practical insights to lose credibility.  Leaving the reader in the difficult position of attempting to untangle the faulty, experientially-based statements from the valid, biblically accurate observations. 

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Although I am beyond the age, and stage of life of the authors’ target audience, I still found many of the questions, topics, and issues addressed in this book challenging, timely, and thought-provoking…Especially from my perspective as a mother of a young daughter – who I pray will become a young woman of vision, and an influence on her culture for the Kingdom of God.  I truly wish I could offer it an unreserved, whole-hearted recommendation.  But, because of some rather significant lapses in discernment and interpretation, I cannot do that. 

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I greatly admire the young authors, and their desire to embrace, and pursue God’s highest calling for them, and the encouragement and exhortation they offer to their readers to live in zealous obedience to Scripture.  Doing so requires a radical departure from what have become the cultural norms of rebellion, rejection of parental authority, feminism, and gender-neutrality.  Yes, the ideas presented are extreme.  Yes, they are counter-cultural.  And, whether or not you agree, in whole or in part, they will make you think.  And, to a reader who is willing to exercise biblical wisdom and discernment, this would be a valuable resource.  In that case, I would say that I cautiously recommend it.  

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