The Christian Homemaker's Handbook

by Pat Ennis, Dorothy Kelley Patterson, Rhonda Harrington Kelley (Contributor)

This one-stop reference tool gives you tips and training on everything from meal planning to interior decorating, biblical womanhood to budgeting, so that you can become a holistic homemaker! It features practical teaching from Scripture, instructions for do-it-yourself projects, application questions, helpful resources, a comprehensive index, and more. With nearly 50 years of marriage experience, 30 years of college-level home economics instruction, and a commitment to biblical womanhood, the editors of The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook have compiled the comprehensive manual for today’s woman and her home.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Parenting, Marriage, Christian Non Fiction, Family, Christian Living

544 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Dr. Pat Ennis (Patricia A. Ennis) taught Home Economics for the San Diego Unified School District before developing and establishing the Home Economics Department at Christian Heritage College located in El Cajon, California at the request of Dr. Tim LaHaye. She moved to The Master’s College in 1987, at the invitation of Dr. John MacArthur, to establish the Home Economics-Family and Consumer Science Department. Relocation to the College at Southwestern Baptist Theological occurred in 2011. Currently she is the Director of Homemaking Programs and Distinguished Professor at Southwestern.

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an excellent resource! Over 500 pages and 40 chapters on a wide range of homemaking topics: biblical womanhood, the impact of feminism, setting up a home, marriage, godly parenting, hospitality, caring for aging parents, clothing care, food safety.... It's all here! Various chapters are written by different ladies which really helps to give a qualified and "expert" opinion on the topic. I like the way the book is organized and the chapters are structured nicely as well. Some chapters were more interesting than others (the laundry section was very boring to me!!) but all in all, I enjoyed the book very much. Highly recommend this as a resource for Christian wives and homemakers. It will probably be required reading in our home if the Lord gives us any daughters!

[BlueMeadowlark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I sampled this book and decided not to buy it. The sample was enough to turn me off completely. I don't necessarily disagree entirely with their insights into womanhood, but my goodness...they could have included a wee bit more ENCOURAGEMENT, with a little less systematic criticism of modern wives and moms.
They start out (in the forward) with a glowing description of an ultra-supermom who does everything from making costumes to assistant teaching to carpool to traveling with her husband to organizing church events to selling snacks at her kids' games, all while giving her family nutritious meals and never missing a doctor appointment or a pet's heartworm pill. AND guess what!? She prioritizes it all so PERFECTLY that she always gets enough sleep, enough quiet time, and never has to sacrifice family time!
Um. Yikes. This is not encouraging to new moms who barely know how to keep a diaper bag organized. It is examples like these that make current moms doubt the worth of their own efforts and feel as though they need to live up to the Supermom myth.
The author(s?) follow this up with LOTS of reasons why modern moms have it completely wrong. I felt like they were patting me on the head and saying "why yes, sweetie, you can't help being an awful mom, and here's why..."
Despite the undoubtedly good intentions (they are sisters in Christ, so I'm sure they meant to encourage), I did not find much comfort or encouragement. God blessed me with my children because I am the best mom for them, even if I have to use daycare, forget to feed the dog, or occasionally misplace my Supermom skills...

[Mary A · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole, I really enjoyed this book and am glad to have it as a reference for future teaching as well as to use practically in my home. It is an interesting departure from most books for Christians, or books in general today, as it has a lot of theory but also a lot of practical application tips. Some of the chapters seem somewhat odd to the modern reader to be reading about in a book, as I normally look to blogs or websites found on Pinterest for my house-cleaning or decorating tips...but I appreciate the attempt to be thorough and practically helpful in this book! Really, the value in this book for me comes in the excellent chapters that develop the theology of being a wife and mother, homemaker, and Biblical woman in this misguided world we live in. These include the first three sections, "God's Design for the Home", "God's View of the Sanctity of Life", and "Foundations for Parenting". I also really enjoyed the chapter "Decorating Your Home with Silent Witness". I would definitely recommend this book for any woman looking to grow in her womanhood, both theologically and practically.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great handbook I will keep coming back to! All things related to homemaking such as cleaning, decorating, hospitality are included with tips, scripture passages, and questions to put biblical principles into practice.

[Stefanie Kamerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great shower/wedding present for any woman who just got married or expecting their first child!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook is compiled by author(s) Pat Ennis & Dorothy Kelley Patterson. Pat Ennis is a distinguished professor and director of homemaking programs at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dorothy Kelley Patterson is a former professor of theology in women’s studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological seminary.

The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook is The Ultimate Guide To Christian Homemaking. It would make a great wedding gift for a young bride and a nice gift for an older homemaker. With budgeting tips, interior decorating tips, instructions for DIY projects, and so much more.

I believe the author(s) purpose in compiling this book is to inform women who want to get back to holistic homemaking.

The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook is organized into six parts including a scripture index and a general index. I would gladly recommend this book to all homemakers. I give The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook 5*/5*.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Alaina Gadson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ultimate resource for single christian woman and wives alike! This book covers everything under the sun and gives excellent biblical perspectives. It’s also very “real” in that it has unpopular yet truthful and correct information that people are oftentimes not bold enough to talk about or face.
The book was helpful to me where it talked about contentment. Books are always talking about how you can change your situation to be better when a lot of times we need to actually change our heart posture about the situation. This book walked me through it smoothly. Great read and will keep it as a resource for life!

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book completely lacked nuance. I am a complementarian Christian woman and yet found it to be quite offensive and extreme. I read about 1/3 of the way through before giving it up. It’s a collection of essays but each one is worst than the last. I don’t even want to donate this book, for fear it falls into the hands of someone who is struggling with their faith. The number of sweeping generalizations that lack tact and consideration of the complexity of life is shocking. I can’t believe Crossway would publish this book. Do not recommend this book to anyone.

[Paulina Stand · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I appreciate this book for a brand new wife or a teenager who aspires to have the qualities a wife/homemaker should have. As a wife of 5 years and growing up in a wonderful home with a mother who taught me a lot of these skills I didn’t find this book as useful.

I did appreciate all of the scripture to support and guide the lessons and information in the book. I didn’t care for the emphasis on mission work as that is not always one’s calling. Sometimes I envisioned sweet meaning older ladies writing these essays. Not bad, but sometimes a tad out of touch.

[Nicole Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good basics to what is required to run a home with biblical basis for why running a home well is a worthy task before the Lord. I thought it had good tidbits of wisdom and filled in some of the gaps of things that I was lacking in, such as knowledge of creating some cleaning products and washing instructions for clothes.

[Erin Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mostly liked this book, some parts had me scratching my head while others made me really think about the modern world. I definitely like having so many tips and tools in the book; it’s one you can use and reference later so that’s very nice. Overall it was a good read.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't the best book in this genre. It had some helpful information and was well-organized, but I've enjoyed others like it more.

[Jess d'Artagnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook is a collection of essays exploring homemaking from a Christian perspective. The book is broken up into sections: design for the home, the value of children, foundations for parenting, the practical aspects of establishing a home, meal prep, and clothing. Each section is framed from a Christian perspective using Biblical references. The writers take a holistic approach to homemaking seeing the home as more than just a physical space but as a place to nurture ourselves spiritually.

I found most of this book really interesting. I identify as a Christian, but did not always agree with some of the perspectives in the chapters. I liked exploring the home as a foundation for one’s mental and spiritual health. I also found the practical advice in the book helpful because they’re things that I was never taught and I’m having to learn on my own as I grown in my own housekeeping and homemaking skills. Some chapters were just not relevant to me being one who doesn’t have children, but I can see how those parts could be useful for new or expecting mothers.

This book will stay on my bookshelf and I will refer to it frequently. Not only does it have good information, but it gives such food for thought that I enjoy revisiting the essays as I continue to build my little homestead.

[Ashley Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very impressive size (don't be scared) but a great handbook (it meets that label) to keep around and consult regularly, maybe not necessarily reading all at one time. It would also be great for a new homemaker to learn some skills like hospitality and cleaning routines that may be slightly foreign.

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up, I always wished I had been able to take home economics. This is is truly a complete course in a book. Loved it!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic handbook that I’m sure I’ll use and make reference to throughout my years! Great resource and definitely a keeper!

[Yuta-Alyssa Seki]

I found this book to have some helpful principles and to use for reference, however at times it could come across rather legalistic.