An article entitled “Slave Labor” has circulated on the internet for several years. It was part of a chapter from a 1954 Home Economics textbook to be taught to high school girls. In summary, the girls were taught to be good housewives by preparing their homes, their supper meal, and their children for the arrival of their hard working husbands. “Try to make your home a place of peace and order where you husband can relax,” is the final point.
A woman who is repulsed by such teaching would NOT welcome the core ideas of Debi Pearl’s book, Created To Be His Help Meet. Indeed, the author herself admits to being tempted to skirt not-so-politically-correct issues that would cause her to lose sales. Michael Pearl, her husband told her, “If God thought it was important enough to inspire it as part of His Word to us, then you should include it”.
For the others, this is the first great quality of this book. It is based solely on the teaching of Scripture without regard to what is ‘popular’. Debi did a thorough study of the role of women in the Bible to prepare for this book. It is based on the design principle, that God created woman unique with an important role in society. That purpose for a married woman is primarily to serve her husband, to make him a success. If instead she decided to take on his role, she will damage her marriage, children, the spirit of her home, and miss her own fulfilling purpose.
Debi states, “It took four years, thousands of hours, many tears, revisions and distractions, but I finally finished my book. I had no idea God had so much to say to us ladies until I began going through God’s Word verse by verse, writing the different sections of Created to Be His Help Meet”.
Often this results in his changing for the good too. In other words, if you treat him as a king, he may well treat you as his queen. However, this is not the goal of your responses.
Every troubled wife feels she is the exception to the principles presented in such a fundamental book. Debi Pearl does not ignore these and gives many illustrations and answers questions from various difficult marriage situations. Neither does she skirt the subject of sex but handles it in a clear but discrete way.
The fact that, at this writing, the book is in its 8th printing in four years is a strong endorsement. Yes, some pastors have even banned the book, but the many letters from husbands and wives whose marriages have been transformed by what Debi teachers here are a clear witness that it is Biblical and that woman have an important role in God’s plan.
Tags: Marriage and Family
