Book Review: The Way Home by Mary Pride

I was so excited to start this book. Her opening chapter was like a sigh of rest. Here was an older woman (she actally wasn't at the time of writing this book) who was going to point out how feminism has destroyed us women, our homes, our families, and ultimately our country. The things she predicted we would see back in the 80s are true now in 2022.

But as I snuggled in to read and be encouraged, I found a book of confused theology, one kingdom lies, a voice without hope or mercy for infertility and childlessness, and women who have to make hard choices.

I found moments of great truth and insight marred by the ridiculous twisting of theology.

All the things I was hoping to find were dashed to pieces by a lack of understanding that our children aren't saved just because we are, God's sovereignty isn't easily thwarted by my inability to have children, and an inability by the author to deal with things in a more nuanced manner. Truth was constantly over shadowed by things that aren't true. I kept going "Yes!" at the start of a paragraph then screaming "No, no, no!" at the end of the paragraph. Sometimes this was sentence by sentence.

Also, I'm sorry, but deciding to limit, plan, or even choosing to not have children or more children is a far cry from murdering your babies. It's not the same!! And pregnancy isn't the answer to all women's health issues, sometimes, often, it's the cause of many health issues.

She has so many wires crossed that untangling truth from untruth is almost impossible.

Reading this book was unique in that it gave me insight into how we as the Reformed church have grown and changed. I enjoyed the first chapter of this book, and found the last section to be far less frustrating. I appreciate the fact that she straight up tells us that homemaking is gender based not ability based. This is the calling given by God to women. Gender matters.

I would love a followup book. Apparently at the time she had been a homemaker only about 5 years. I'd love to know how her children turned out and how she's grown theologically and spiritually.

I had high hopes that this would be the book I was looking for, but it's so wracked with theological error, and even logical error--getting rid of your television isn't going to keep your kids from sin and temptation--that when I agreed with her it made me nervous I was missing something in my own thought life and theology.

If you read this, keep your brain on. She will fill you with guilt at the fact that you don't have enough children, you don't have a home-based business, and at the end, she really had my skin crawling at the way she advised women on how to talk to a husband about quiting their job. She understands submission theologically, but her application to women isn't couched in any sort of husband leading. Again, this book lacks any sort of nuance. None.

I'm glad I read it, but I absolutely couldn't recommend it except to the most clear thinking and theologically steeped women.