By Design

by Susan Hunt

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." –Genesis 2:18 God did not make a mistake when He made men and women different. He had a distinctive plan and a distinctive purpose for each, stamping the helper design upon women at creation. This book is a joyous celebration of that profound fact. But it is more. It is a rallying cry to the church to retain one of its most valuable–and nearly forgotten– its women. By Design is not about answering feminist arguments or exegeting biblical passages on traditional roles, submission, or headship. Instead, it is an uplifting and practical introduction to God's wonderful design for women. It is also a challenge to women everywhere to explore the significance of your distinctives and return to your biblical calling. And it is a plea for the church to equip and mobilize you to help a hurting world and capture a culture for Christ through ministries of mercy and compassion. Like Susan Hunt's previous works, Spiritual Mothering and The True Woman , this book is a strong affirmation of your value as a woman and a great resource for anyone involved in women's ministries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Womens, Christian Living, Theology

198 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1994

About the author

Susan Hunt is a mother and grandmother, a pastor’s wife, and the former Director of Women’s Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America. Holding a degree in Christian education from Columbia Theological Seminary, she has written a number of books, including several by Crossway.

Reviews

[Cynthia Rojas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The woman who can give authentic help is the one who has come to a place of hopelessness in self that drives her to God's Word where she finds her 'help is the God of Jacob,' and her 'hope is in the Lord.'" 💜

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggle with Susan Hunt's material. It's relevant, but outdated in a social sense. She could model some of this differently to make it timeless.

[Rene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful foundation for her other works.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had so many stories & real life examples which I'm not particularly fond of in a book. I prefer to have the writer make their case & let God provide the application. This may be Hunt's style & based on this book & haven't picked up any others from her. I have heard her in person & found it much more enjoyable than reading her book. Examples & stories were more befitting in a talk I guess. If you like to hear about women's experiences & God at work in them, this might be the book for you!

[Silvia Tjendrawasih · Rating 4 out of 5]

By Design provides biblical womanhood and is an important book for woman of this age to read. The movement of feminism has led Christian women to unconsciously feeding up their selfishness and refusing God's ordinance which was given in the creation. Many women found it depressing while relating to male in career or in family. We should have avoided all those depression and confusion by looking at the purpose of we are created - as helper. Not only that, it is important to know and make use of the gifts God has equipped us with as helper to serve in church and community.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled through this one: a good portion of my struggle was with the author's writing style which just didn't click with me. I enjoyed the premise of the book, which provides insight on God's design for women in community... an area I've not read much about. In addition, I enjoyed the example stories of women who have served Jesus found inbetween each chapter and did glean some very good insight and encouragement from those stories.

[Marliss Bombardier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the role God designed for women. It is neither feministic nor subservient.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book in November as part of a Bible Study at our church. Part of a series, it can be read alone with no problem. It is an interesting look at the role of women in today's culture.