> I’ve mostly ever heard complementarity defined in ways abstracted away from the body
Now there's an insight. Of course there is also all manner of "complementarian" weirdness extrapolated "from" the body out there, but I think you're onto something in saying that it's mostly disembodied. Maybe that's why some of it has always landed so poorly with me as a woman with a non-stereotypical-woman's mind.
Abigail Favale is good on defining the first kind! As for the second, abstracted kind -- I think Elizabeth's brief mention of weirdness extrapolated *from* the body probably has something to do with purity culture and what remains of it. Where women's bodies are only and ever thought about in terms of the the Stumbling Block they have potential to be.... and nothing more substantial. Could be off base, but that was my first thought.
Re: weirdness extrapolated from the body, I actually had in mind an infamous and icky quote, which I'm not going to repeat, by a pastor in Idaho. But purity culture is definitely also a factor in this broader conversation.
But my main thought, reading this a few days ago, was about the kind of "femininity" that was held up in the conservative Baptisty evangelical world in which I spent many years: the perhaps lopsided ideals of "a gentle and quiet spirit", "keepers at home", "winning without a word", and so forth. None of those are *bad* necessarily, but they have little or nothing to do with ontological womanhood, IMO, and are often distorted to marginalize women with logical minds, a theological bent, and/or a streak that might be called Reformation-minded in men but is often called rebellious in women in these circles. The writing of Aimee Byrd and Rachel Green Miller on this topic really resonated at one time (and still does in many ways).
Yep, makes total sense! and what Abigail was trying to get at also. I think this is where I see women converts saying Catholicism felt like it was the place in Christianity where their bodies and minds were both honored in full. I don’t think Catholicism has a monopoly on this ;) but can see where they’re coming from.
Homemade playlists are such a nostalgic throwback. This was a gut punch though: "When it comes to sharing music, it is a tragedy that we have allowed AI to take over the role of the best friend."
My husband also got a bookstand for late night and early morning baby holding this time around and he is a big fan :)
It's as if the rooted community characters of Wendell Berry's novels met the playful and lyrical prose of Leif Enger while also mingling with Claire Keegan's understated-yet-piercing Irish storytelling.”
> I’ve mostly ever heard complementarity defined in ways abstracted away from the body
Now there's an insight. Of course there is also all manner of "complementarian" weirdness extrapolated "from" the body out there, but I think you're onto something in saying that it's mostly disembodied. Maybe that's why some of it has always landed so poorly with me as a woman with a non-stereotypical-woman's mind.
Exactly - my mind did a little explosion when she was talking (and I've read her stuff!)
Can you ask her to expand on this?! (Maybe a lengthy guest post?)
Abigail Favale is good on defining the first kind! As for the second, abstracted kind -- I think Elizabeth's brief mention of weirdness extrapolated *from* the body probably has something to do with purity culture and what remains of it. Where women's bodies are only and ever thought about in terms of the the Stumbling Block they have potential to be.... and nothing more substantial. Could be off base, but that was my first thought.
Re: weirdness extrapolated from the body, I actually had in mind an infamous and icky quote, which I'm not going to repeat, by a pastor in Idaho. But purity culture is definitely also a factor in this broader conversation.
But my main thought, reading this a few days ago, was about the kind of "femininity" that was held up in the conservative Baptisty evangelical world in which I spent many years: the perhaps lopsided ideals of "a gentle and quiet spirit", "keepers at home", "winning without a word", and so forth. None of those are *bad* necessarily, but they have little or nothing to do with ontological womanhood, IMO, and are often distorted to marginalize women with logical minds, a theological bent, and/or a streak that might be called Reformation-minded in men but is often called rebellious in women in these circles. The writing of Aimee Byrd and Rachel Green Miller on this topic really resonated at one time (and still does in many ways).
Yep, makes total sense! and what Abigail was trying to get at also. I think this is where I see women converts saying Catholicism felt like it was the place in Christianity where their bodies and minds were both honored in full. I don’t think Catholicism has a monopoly on this ;) but can see where they’re coming from.
But she's totally welcome to write something! haha
Not sure if substack gives notifications for comments further down from the original... so paging you here lol
Homemade playlists are such a nostalgic throwback. This was a gut punch though: "When it comes to sharing music, it is a tragedy that we have allowed AI to take over the role of the best friend."
My husband also got a bookstand for late night and early morning baby holding this time around and he is a big fan :)
excellent round up!!
chuffed whenever I get to rub shoulders with other luminaries in this wonderful weekly selection, thanks Haley.
also now just learned about Fare Forward thanks to you!
...I actually think you two would make a good writer/publisher pair!
I'll have to check out what they are looking for!
It's as if the rooted community characters of Wendell Berry's novels met the playful and lyrical prose of Leif Enger while also mingling with Claire Keegan's understated-yet-piercing Irish storytelling.”
Sold. Putting it on my to be read now.
my husband has a wooden bookstand from grad school like that...time to repurpose!
Honestly might get that bookstand since the one I got from HPB is so large and cumbersome, plus I had to add the arms to it
I'm #30 in line at the library to get Niall Williams's "This is Happiness" - I've never read any of his books but I've only heard good things.
(And of course, love the defense of playlists piece!)
That book stand!!!!!!!!!!! 🤯