Archive for Mary Kassian

Mary Kassian, the founder of Girls Gone Wise, is an award winning author, internationally renowned speaker, and distinguished professor of Women's Studies at Southern Baptist Seminary.

Studying Housework

In the late sixties, budding feminist sociologist Ann Oakley embarked on a study of the attitudes and work satisfaction of British housewives. She endeavored to statistically reveal the appalling nature of women’s working conditions in the home…According to Oakley, “Housework is work directly opposed to the possibility of human self-actualization.”

29Jun2009 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued

More than a Ball of Yarn

Several months ago, I ran into Zellers to buy a few things for the house. I rounded the corner from the aisle containing pillows and blankets into the next aisle, where I expected to find candles, vases, and home decor. But what I saw stopped me dead in my tracks.

22Jun2009 | Mary Kassian | 6 comments | Continued

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment

It happened. Again. And it’s been happening with increasing frequency. I was listening to a Christian speaker, and she implied that anyone who disagreed with her position on women preaching in church was being “judgmental.” That person ought to examine his/her heart and repent of his/her attitude of superiority. Arrghh!

8Jun2009 | Mary Kassian | 3 comments | Continued

Ludy & Gresh Join Girls Gone Wise

Let’s hear a big drum roll…… Leslie Ludy and Dannah Gresh have joined the Girls Gone Wise Blog team! Let me introduce you to these awesome ladies:
Leslie is a bestselling author and speaker with a passion for reaching today’s young women the hope of Christ. She and her husband, Eric, have been writing and [...]

29May2009 | Mary Kassian | 0 comments | Continued

The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness

In the sixties, when Betty Friedan diagnosed her fellow wives and daughters as the victims of “the problem with no name,” American women reported themselves happier, on average, than did men. Today, that statistic has reversed. Male happiness has inched up, while female happiness has declined…. Feminism pumped its best medicine into woman’s veins, but somehow, it merely exacerbated the disease.

27May2009 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued

A Parable of Restoration

After a lengthy, intensive restoration project, one of the greatest masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance has been restored to its original splendor and returned to its home at the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery in Florence. The Madonna del Cardellino was painted by Raphael in 1505 for the wedding of his friend, a wealthy Florentine merchant. It [...]

22May2009 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued

King of the Castle

“King of the Castle” is a silly, childish game, but unfortunately, it’s a game that’s played in the lives of most adults - albeit on a much more sophisticated level. In the grown-up game there are no physical hills… But still, people fight with one another for superiority. Everyone wants to be “King of the Castle.” Emotionally and psychologically we knock one another down so that we can claim the high place as our own.

21May2009 | Mary Kassian | 0 comments | Continued

Beauty at Any Cost

Today’s women are pursuing beauty at any cost. That’s the conclusion of a YWCA report on the consequences of America’s beauty obsession on women and girls. “From new levels of spending on cosmetic alteration to health risks and to the emergence of a ‘mean girls’ culture, the lifelong burden of an unattainable beauty and body image is taking a terrible toll in all areas of women’s lives, from economic well-being to health to interpersonal relationships.”

14May2009 | Mary Kassian | 10 comments | Continued

Is Meek for the Weak?

Is the meek person a human mouse infected with a sense of his or her own inferiority? Last month, psychotherapist Mary Jaksch gave blog subscribers some advice on “How to Ditch Meekness and Walk Tall.”… Nowadays, “meekness” carries the stigma of cowardly acquiescence. But the meekness of the Bible - the meekness manifested by God and given to the saints - is a strong, active, volitional, courageous attitude.

12May2009 | Mary Kassian | 0 comments | Continued

Mary’s CliffNotes on Authority & Submission (Part 2)

One of the most dramatic signs of the change of seasons in Canada is the migration of the birds. Last weekend, Brent and I were mesmerized when dozens upon dozens of V-formations passed overhead…What strikes me as significant is the intuitive sense of order that these birds have. And what’s more, the beauty, freedom, and benefit that the order affords. Without it, they would never be able to fly so high, so long, or so far.

9May2009 | Mary Kassian | 0 comments | Continued

Authentic Beauty

In a culture that mocks our longing for tender romance, in a world where fairy tales never seem to come true - do young women dare hope for more? For every young woman asking that question, this book is an invitation to begin a never-ending love story with the Prince of her dreams. According to Ludy, Authentic Beauty is living a life fully set- apart for Him.

8May2009 | Mary Kassian | 0 comments | Continued

Mary’s CliffNotes on Authority & Submission (Part 1)

Too often, we get all emotional about the “S-Word” without having a clue as to why and how submission (and more importantly, authority) function in the larger scheme of things. God’s view on authority and submission is radically different than the world’s. That’s why I’ve put together the following CliffNotes overview of the Bible’s teaching on the topic:

6May2009 | Mary Kassian | 0 comments | Continued