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Different By Design: God's blueprint for men and women
Men and women are created in the image of God to reflect God’s own nature and being to reflect the perfect equality, diversity, and unity of the Trinity. Carrie Sandom presents the Biblical view of gender roles for marriage, the church, and the workplace, and shows how they fit into a modern context.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Carrie Sandom
6 books1 followerAssociate minister for women and pastoral care, St. John's Church, Tunbridge Wells
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 23, 2021
I wanted to like this book. I have a lot of respect for Sandom and the work she does and I really appreciate her biblical focus throughout this book. It's certainly helpful for laying out many of the basic principles in a clear, humble way.
My frustration with this book, however, was that many of her arguments lack evidence, and she often advocates for a more passive view of femininity. When discussing women's role in the church, for example, Sandom addresses the issue of when women become dominant, such as at a prayer meeting where it's primarily women praying and men are silent. The solution, Sandom says, is that women should step back to allow men to pray. I just can't see how this is an effective solution. Any man who needs a woman to step back in order for him to participate seems to not be taking his role seriously, and a woman who chooses to passively wait for men to do something rather than actively encouraging them seems to be abdicating her responsibility to her brothers in Christ.
I read this book nearly a year ago, so I don't remember other specifics, but that example stuck with me as symptomatic of this book. Sandom seems to be coming from a church culture where women are more dominant, so perhaps her words could provide a helpful balance in that environment. For the rest, though, her arguments often seemed to rest on cultural assumptions and logical leaps, rather than careful biblical exegesis.
My frustration with this book, however, was that many of her arguments lack evidence, and she often advocates for a more passive view of femininity. When discussing women's role in the church, for example, Sandom addresses the issue of when women become dominant, such as at a prayer meeting where it's primarily women praying and men are silent. The solution, Sandom says, is that women should step back to allow men to pray. I just can't see how this is an effective solution. Any man who needs a woman to step back in order for him to participate seems to not be taking his role seriously, and a woman who chooses to passively wait for men to do something rather than actively encouraging them seems to be abdicating her responsibility to her brothers in Christ.
I read this book nearly a year ago, so I don't remember other specifics, but that example stuck with me as symptomatic of this book. Sandom seems to be coming from a church culture where women are more dominant, so perhaps her words could provide a helpful balance in that environment. For the rest, though, her arguments often seemed to rest on cultural assumptions and logical leaps, rather than careful biblical exegesis.
April 3, 2017
in my opinion, the foreword and first chapter should be ripped out of the book, but thankfully the rest of the content was different
November 27, 2017
Things that were good:
1) The Biblical explanation for her views on men and women - clear, helpful and well explained.
2) The final chapters of more application - I found some good answers to common questions
It wasn't an easy read though, and some of the (helpful) biblical exposition seemed a bit repetitive.
Still: worthwhile reading for people looking to understand what the Bible has to say about the different roles men and women should be playing in church.
1) The Biblical explanation for her views on men and women - clear, helpful and well explained.
2) The final chapters of more application - I found some good answers to common questions
It wasn't an easy read though, and some of the (helpful) biblical exposition seemed a bit repetitive.
Still: worthwhile reading for people looking to understand what the Bible has to say about the different roles men and women should be playing in church.
August 3, 2023
Very impressed by this fair and thorough analysis of the importance of a complementarian stance for individuals and for God’s church.
The biblical foundations that were included in every chapter was such a helpful way of seeing this played out in the bible.
Chapter 8&10 were personal favourites but the whole book is worth the read for sure.
Sandom was sensitive but sure on the possible controversial topics raised and provided such clarity on each one.
The biblical foundations that were included in every chapter was such a helpful way of seeing this played out in the bible.
Chapter 8&10 were personal favourites but the whole book is worth the read for sure.
Sandom was sensitive but sure on the possible controversial topics raised and provided such clarity on each one.
June 14, 2021
What a great book.
Without being exhaustive, it tells us what we need to know in a simple, straight-to-the-point kind of way that always seeks to ground things in the Scriptures.
The chapter on marriage was incredibly useful to me personally.
What a great joy to see what complementarianism stands for!
Without being exhaustive, it tells us what we need to know in a simple, straight-to-the-point kind of way that always seeks to ground things in the Scriptures.
The chapter on marriage was incredibly useful to me personally.
What a great joy to see what complementarianism stands for!
January 27, 2020
Balanced and thoughtful and really displays biblical rigour. Incredibly thought provoking and helpful.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews