Book Club and Ephesians

I am very enthusiastic about the new book club that has sprung up through the Young Adults Bible Study that I attend on Sunday nights. It was proposed that a book club be started in order to discuss particular books in a casual setting in order to gain input and insight from other women. I feel that this is a spectacular idea because the various perspectives gained are intriguing since each participant comes from a different walk of life, whether it is professionally or spiritually. It is a great blend of new and seasoned believers who are very open to express their opinions and understand the other viewpoints gathered.
The book we are starting with is entitled "Radical Womanhood," which was written by Carolyn McCulley. This book is about "feminine faith in a feminist world." The author used to be a feminist, but became a Christian after a trip to South Africa. It is very interesting gathering her perspective as a feminist and combining it with how we are to live out womanhood in a biblical fashion. The verses that the book is centered around can be found within Ephesians 5:22-30, which state, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--for we are members of his body."
Though we have only reviewed the preface and first chapter, some compelling conversation topics have already been introduced. The concept of prideful independence vs. responsible independence has been brought up in regards to when it is okay to take care of our own needs. Also, it is import to note that these verses are not male dominated. Though wives are called to submit, husbands are commanded to love and care for their wives as if it were their own body. So in essence, it is a mutual appreciation for one another.
I look forward to learning more on the topics within this book and how the feminist movement has misconstrued the biblical role of the female. I also look forward to getting to know better all of the members involved with the book club so that we can continue to strengthen one another's faith by discussing Scripture and everyday life.