On the Other Side of the Garden of Eden: Biblical Womanhood

by Virginia Ruth Fugate

This book is a straight forward, non-apologetic presentation of biblical truths about God's design for womankind and the most important human relationship in most women's life-marriage. On the Other Side of the Garden of Eden provides an uncompromising look at how a wife should complement her unique man. Its message is based solely on what God's Word teaches about the subject. The previous two editions of this book have been used in thousands of women's Bible studies since 1992. Even though it was designed specifically for women, it has also been increasingly used in couples' classes to strengthen marriages. Husbands, who attend these classes, tend to become more understanding about the complexities of their wife's role and her need for their leadership. This new, third edition has now been expanded to integrate many illustrations given in Virginia's sequel, Victorious Women. Those examples testified about the miraculous results wives experienced in their marriages after applying biblical principles they learned in the previous editions. This edition of On the Other Side of the Garden of Eden only differs from the previous two by the addition of those examples. At times, it may appear that the information given in this book is one-sided because it does not deal with how a husband should act. Contrastingly, it reveals how a wife can live her life to the glory of God, even if her husband never functions as God's Word declares he should. This third edition of the first and second editions of On the Other Side of the Garden incorporates much of the information contained in Virginia's sequel, Victorious Women. Illustrations were provided in that book based on real-life examples of women who had applied God's principles taught in the previous editions. These illustrations will encourage even the most apprehensive woman that she too can benefit from obedience to God's Word; if not here on earth, in eternity. The manuscript is laid out in three sections. Section one states the principles of Christian womanhood solely from the Bible's perspective. It establishes the fact that God created the woman and designed her for His specific purposes. By carefully exploring the Scriptures as it relates to His plan, a woman will clearly discover what it reveals about her uniqueness, importance, responsibilities, and privileges. The second section alerts Christian women to the consistent and intentional attacks against biblical womanhood in America over the past fifty plus years. It then carefully documents the sources of this anti-biblical position. Finally, Section three describes applications for practical living. This section expounds on the biblical foundations presented in section one and applies them to the woman's real life. The On the Other Side of the Garden has been affectionately called, "A Christian woman's basic boot camp," and "The best book I ever cried through." But, it has helped save many marriages and families."

Genres: Marriage, Christian, Nonfiction, Womens, Christianity, Spirituality

294 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Starley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t agree with everything in this book. In fact there are things I explicitly disagree with. Her hermeneutics are a little questionable, and she holds a very traditional, conservative view. But there are some really good points in this book and really helpful tips and principals for relations well to men in general, but specifically your husband. Even if I don’t just love or completely agree with this book, I must say there were many things in here that were convicting and humbling. Definitely some good food for thought. I think any woman who has ever been labeled “strong-willed” or something of that sort could be well challenged by this book.

[Shelley Charton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my marriage forever. I'm so thankful for the biblical principles I learned.

[Juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every Christian woman should read. It is almost one of those self help and motivational books to re-read every year to put your self back on track where God wants you. Mostly based on marriage, but every Christian woman should read it.

[Rachel Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you virginia!

[Krizzia]

A good book for those who are ministering to ladies, especially for those who are teaching young ladies to adults :)

[Rhye Gabrielse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not finish this book. This is why:

This book is a good book for those who want a very traditional and conservative 1950s approach to womanhood, but not for the woman who desires to know the calling God has on her life aside from marriage. I was hoping this book would be about the garden of Eden and how it affects womanhood and even manhood and our relationship with Christ, but it was far from it.
To be as respectful as possible, this book was not for me.
At first, I was sold by how the author revealed a new perspective on how God created man and woman. That Adam was created first, and God breathed life into him, then God took the rib from Adam and created Eve from that rib—but it never says that God breathed life into Eve as well. The author goes on to say that Adam and Eve were “one soul” in the beginning before Eve was created. And Adam was a man, but slightly feminine, and once Eve was created, the soul was split into two, thus creating two souls; Man and Woman. And once together physically, their bodies unite and their souls unite.
I’ve always wondered why a man and a woman became one flesh during intercourse—like, for what reason? To be closer spiritually? Possibly. But I thought that was a new and interesting perspective on the creation of man. And would make sense why a man and a woman become one flesh “again”, like in the garden of Eden. A very beautiful perspective. But I don’t know how biblical that is.
Overall, this book was very conservative, and reminds me of what people in the fifties believed about women and marriage. The author does touch on the fact that singleness isn’t bad, and she brings up Paul and what he says about that—but in my opinion, this is a marriage book about how to be a meek housewife, and not a book about fulfilling your role as a submissive woman of God—which is what I was hoping for and was surely disappointed. The cover and title was false advertising. Keeping in mind, this is outdated and from 1992, it still doesn’t negate the fact that it’s very a narrow minded book on womanhood.

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Holy Spirit lead me to this book, and I’m so glad He did. I am a young (28) converted Christian, I have only been attending church for 3 years now. The Lord placed this friend in my life and she brought me to church, by his leading. It has been the most wonderful thing that has happened to me! Praise God! (Just giving you all a back story as to why this book is so necessary…I’m getting to the point!) I was struggling and asking God so many questions and searching for answers, I would read my Bible about biblical womanhood, but my understanding was lacking, I would apply the teachings and God would bless my efforts, but there was this deep seeded need to know and understand more on this subject. Living in a culture that pushes feminist ideologies, we are told for young gals, that we are equal to men, better than, smarter than, stronger, than men… that mentality is so dangerous, I knew it was because I could see the damage it was causing in my marriage and household. After wresting with these questions and praying to God for answers, He lead me to this book, I couldn’t put it down, it has so much impartation between each page, and has given me newfound hope and skills that I can apply, the Lord has washed me with his peace and assure that he didn’t create us equally but separate and we become one although we are different, and complete eachother. I HIGHLY recommend this book, once you read it you’ll understand why. If you have the same questions coursing through your mind, like I did. BUY IT. Also, forewarning, this book will challenge you and will disrupt old thought patterns that our mothers, and their mothers etc have been taught, it can be a tough read for some women as it challenges the feminist programming we have gone through for years. I pray this book reaches so many women, and blesses their marriages, family’s, and lives, in Jesus name. Amen.

[Becky Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book, I did not realize that it is more geared toward marriage. But the single woman can still glean so much much about the way God made women and how we are to fill this role, married or single.

[Julie Winkler · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information is pretty outdated.

[Nicolene Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best perspectives on biblical womanhood I’ve ever read, we aren’t called to be perfect but loving and submitted, trusting GOD with all our might. ❤️

[Natalie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

As part of the preparation for a talk I’ve been asked to give in January at a women’s event on “Being Content,” I’ve started reading books that specifically address God’s role for women. I’ve had this one on my shelves for a while and opted to start with it. Mrs. Fugate shares solid biblical truth unapologetically. She does so as one who has made mistakes and gone through a difficult process to arrive at her present understanding of biblical womanhood, so her tone is one of humility. Her book is borne out of a desire to help other women avoid making some of the same mistakes she did. She begins by outlining what the Bible teaches about God’s role for women, then exposes the oppositions to biblical womanhood that are prevalent in our humanist and feminist-saturated culture, and finally spends the last third of the book outlining practical ways that women can apply God’s principles of biblical womanhood in their lives.