Man and Woman: A Divine Invention

Crisol #12

by Alice von Hildebrand, Henry Russell (Editor)

In follow-up to her acclaimed Privilege of Being a Woman;, Dr. von Hildebrand expands the discussion to explore how the fullness of human nature is found in the perfect union between man and woman. God chose to create man doubly complex. He made man of both soul and body a spiritual reality and a material reality. To crown this complexity, He created them male and female. Dr. von Hildebrand elucidates the tragic separation that happened with original sin and the consequences of this brokenness in the world today: the distortion of the male and female genius, supernatural blindness, and the triumph of secularism. She explores how this brokenness can be healed by following God s Divine plan for man and woman. We see this first and foremost in our Blessed Mother, exemplar of the path to holiness. This is also seen in the characteristics of saintly male / female relationships between husbands and wives, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, brothers and sisters, and holy friendships. It is only by coming to more fully understand the Divine plan for man and woman, and submitting ourselves to His plan, that true complementarity harmony of body and soul, male and female can be accomplished.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Marriage, Catholic, Nonfiction, Womens, Religion

194 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2002

About the author

Alice von Hildebrand DCSG (born Alice Jourdain; 11 March 1923 in Brussels, Belgium) was a Catholic philosopher, theologian, and professor.

She came to the U.S. in 1940 and began teaching at Hunter College in New York City in 1947. She earned a doctorate from Fordham University in 1949. In 1959 she married the philosopher and theologian Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889–1977). She retired in 1984.

Alice von Hildebrand lived in the United States and was a lecturer and author whose works include: The Privilege of Being a Woman (2002) and The Soul of a Lion: The Life of Dietrich von Hildebrand (2000), a biography of her husband. In 2014, she published her autobiography, Memoirs of a Happy Failure, about her escape from Nazi Europe and her teaching career at Hunter College.

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll read anything by Alice von Hildebrand. She is one of the most brilliant contemporary female minds. She has reminded us of what true femininity means and how the Catholic Church celebrates it-contrary to what the world does.
This book , so far as I've read, is another amazing work.

[Dhanaraj Rajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depending on your point of view this little book may be considered as "conservative feminist" or "a feminism of a different kind". Anyway it is filled with interesting citations supporting the view of the Catholic Church against the contrary feminist theological claims. Alice von Hildebrand makes many critical observations just like that and passes on.
Few Examples:
1. Freud would have developed different idea on libido if only had he meditated upon the prayer "Ave Maria - specially the words "Blessed is the fruit of your WOMB".
2. Feminism had its roots and later flourished in the protestant countries and the reason is the forgetfulness of the veneration to Mother Mary.
3. Atheism at its roots is an expression of a metaphysical sickness in which man becomes his own God. In another words man forgets that he is merely a creature.
4. The distinction between the sexes is a divine invention and its fullness is found only in the complementarity of both the sexes. So she is against same sex marriages.
5. Feminism is to live the femininity - an apostolate of being more than the apostolate of doing which is reserved for the male sex. The modern philosophies including the 'fake' feminism are killing of femininity in the society and that has led to destruction in the world. The modern feminism in this sense is the most favoured object of the Satan for he is fast conquering the world.
6. Ordination to priesthood is never possible for woman because her call is to be a mother and it is against God's will.
But all these points are supported by some interesting logical arguments. The book is very Catholic and makes an interesting reading and opens space for different understanding. A provocative book.

[Patrick Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice von Hildebrand, like her late husband, has a very special grasp on the meaning of the human person and God's design for men and women. In this brief but fascinating read she explores the idea that men and women are a "divine invention" that perfectly complement one another. She especially focuses on women and the unique mission that the female person has been entrusted with from God. There is a very eloquent chapter on Mary as the model woman and Hildebrand highlights the profound difference between "passivity" and "receptivity." (The latter being that which the Virgin was the perfect example of.) Alice von Hildebrand is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I am only sad because she is in her nineties and I doubt she will write another book. Her insight is beautiful and true--I can't wait to read more from this amazing thinker.

[Kori · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were many insights here. It is a good topic starter, but I wish it delved deeper in some areas. Some was just a reiteration of what is contained in "The Privilege of Being a Woman.". (another glorious read)

[Tai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, though perhaps not as much as an Privilege of Being a Woman. Alice has many wonderful things to say towards the elevation of a right view of femininity. Beyond that, she has many wonderful points to make about our need to understand our role as creatures.
As a caveat, I will add that certain aspects of her discussion may be difficult for Protestants, especially in the latter half of the book. Much of her source material is extra-biblical (hagiography, encyclicals, liturgies) and many of her arguments are made from distinctly Catholic Marian theology. Even those who are uncomfortable with those elements would benefit greatly from her insightful assessments of the modern conflict between men and women and the conflict many women feel within themselves.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made it to page 100. Lots of good thoughts in this book. Never read books on gender and femininity from a Catholic perspective before.

[Becca Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Alice. She is so fantastic at compiling her arguments in a logical, loving, and rational way. I wish every person would read one of her works.

[Vivian Cerruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what gifts God has given us in His decision to make us man and woman!

[KnKnism · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have to admit, it was quite difficult getting through this book bc of her ultra conservative views on femininity/feminism (she is, after all, 90 years old). it is ironic that she joined a public university as a philosophy professor because catholic colleges would not hire women professors at the time. and yet, she doesn't acknowledge the movement that helped her get to that education/position. i'm no fan of militant feminism that denies basic gender differences either but let's admit we have the freedom to even philosophize about such things now. that said, i loved her writing, the rich set of historical references and some of her points about the unique attributes of femininity are quite beautiful and profound.

[Eudith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently watched a few of Alice von Hildebrand's speeches on youtube and they were so AMAZING. So, I decided to pick up one of her books. I was excited to read more into the complimentary roles of a man and woman. The first couple of chapters were easy reads, but then as I progressed, the material began getting a bit difficult to understand....all great content, just a bit complicated for this small mind to graspp....

Maybe one day I'll get back to finishing the entire book and be able to understand in great depth what she was talking about! :)

Eudith

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright. Light on the theology....