Liberated Through Submission: The Ultimate Paradox

by P.N. Wilson

this book describes how submission works and the dynamics of it

191 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 1990

Reviews

[Priscilla King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the author made a major mistake. When either wives or husbands mention that (1) submission in marriage has nothing to do with the gender politics of society-at-large, or (b) they happen to feel liberated (and excited) by thinking of themselves as submissive partners, the usual response is "Your kink is not my kink." This is true, but it frustrates our feeling that someone ought to be encouraging people like our younger selves, who used to feel excited but wary about becoming submissive partners. So we can either learn to say "Whatever, but it worked for me/us," or else, as P.N. Wilson does, fall back on the primary school boys' argument that ALL wives should ALWAYS be submissive "because Eve sinned"--when actually reading the Bible shows that Adam's sin was greater than Eve's, that in practice the biblical example of how wives should submit to husbands in a sexist pre-Christian society was a dominant wife, and that wives who stood up for what was right ("obeying God rather than men") are commended for doing so. I think Wilson started out to write a book in defense of her own politically incorrect yet satisfactory marriage, and let herself be derailed by weak Bible scholarship. I think she did a poor job of speaking on behalf of those of us who've enjoyed being submissive wives.

By way of correction I'll add: I think the Bible makes it clear that wifely (or husbandly, if that appeals to you) submission develops in a relationship of trust. Ancient Greek wives might have had no rights or recourse to anything but fake-submissive acts if their husbands were abusive. This is not the case in a Christian culture. Nobody has to enter an abusive relationship or stay in one, or even be submissive if what the husband or wife wants is a profound violation of our values. Still, in a Christian marriage, submissive relationships can become a source of joy while people are healthy and strength for the one who becomes the "care giver" later.

Some people Out There may like fretting over whether the details of their home life are p.c. enough to suit them. Nothing in the Bible says that's wrong either! Here is a book for those of us who'd rather be p.i. than fret and bicker. Cheers. But it could have been better than it is.

[Kami Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a thrift store and didn’t know if it would be worth my time. I thought maybe it would say that submission is a thing of the past that doesn’t really apply to us or I thought that it would be the complete opposite and say that women have to allow their husbands to boss them around to the extreme. I was very pleasantly surprised that the author simply states what the Bible says about submission. Submission has a bad reputation but why is that? We as women have been domineering and controlling ever since the fall. The desire to rebel is a result of the fall. But submission is not just for the married woman. Everyone-whether man, woman, married, or unmarried- everyone has to submit to some form of leadership and the author laid that out nicely. The author does point out the fact that there can be liberty within submission; when a woman submits to her husband she no longer has to carry the burden of control, she allows her husband to lead as God designed and he will be judged by God some day on the way that he led his family. Mrs. Wilson also talks extensively about meekness and the negative reputation that it holds, but meekness does not mean weakness, rather it is power under control. We ultimately honor God when we submit our own wills under His perfect will for our lives which includes submitting to all authority, including our husbands. I would recommend this book to anyone that truly wants to understand what the Bible says about submission. If you’re truly seeking, you won’t be disappointed!

[Aimee Ortega · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really challenging read for me. Ultimately I loved it! It challenged so many perspectives that I held and opened my heart to embrace God's will over my heart and over my views on marriage and my role in marriage. Great, great challenging read.