Longing for More: A Woman's Path to Transformation in Christ [Paperback]

Ruth Haley Barton (Author), Lynne Hybels (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 2007

In the quiet places of your heart, do you ever yearn for something more? Many Christian women, if we are honest, feel discontented about aspects of our lives. Some of us long to be married, while others long to escape from marriage. Some of us struggle with our roles in the church, wondering why God would give us gifts that are not allowed to flourish. Some of us feel we have no voice. Others of us have no idea what we would say if we did. Ruth Haley Barton believes that what lies underneath all our confusion is a longing for freedom--not the freedom to do as we please, but the freedom to discover our full identity in Christ and use our gifts to serve God. With wisdom and charity Barton´s exhilarating book explores the many areas of a woman´s life that need the freeing touch of Christ such as vocation, relationships, spirituality, identity, sexuality, singleness, marriage and motherhood. Avoiding both feminist and fundamentalist trappings, she affirms our longings as important markers which point us toward God´s renewing love. Barton´s honesty, biblical insight, practical examples and loving encouragement combine to form a powerful, empowering book that will transform the way you live out your identity and purpose in God´s kingdom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As I was reading this manuscript I circled many paragraphs, scribbled down many quotes and scattered hundreds of exclamation points in the margins--but I keep going back to one line in particular: 'It is time,' writes Ruth, 'to stand for what you believe and never look back.' I spent many years of my adult life plagued by fear and by a litany of falsehoods. In the future I want to stand strongly and firmly on the side of courage, on the side of truth, on the side of goodness, on the side of the revolutionary gospel of Jesus. Longing for More challenges, encourages, motivates and empowers me toward that end. Thank you, Ruth." (From the foreword by Lynne Hybels, author of Nice Girls Don't Change the World )

"I have often wished that women would tell each other the truth--that we would not stand idly by and watch our sisters scrounge around in the dirt of trial and error searching for answers. I am deeply grateful to Ruth Haley Barton for being brave, honest and loving enough to share Longing for More with all who seek to know a God who gives us the courage to be our best selves." (Rev. Brenda Salter McNeil, author of The Heart of Racial Justice )

"This is a book filled with wisdom, truth-telling, encouragement and practical help for today's Christian woman struggling with issues of marriage and parenting, identity and work, as she seeks to know and follow Jesus. I found it enjoyable reading as well as challenging." (Rev. Dr. Roberta Hestenes, minister-at-large with World Vision International, and founder of the Hestenes Center for Christian Women in Leadership )

"This book is a substantive, gut-level, practical and well-researched piece of writing that deals with real-life issues from a vibrantly biblical perspective. To women and men who are confused by the welter of conflicting definitions of gender, roles and sexuality that is currently thrown at them, the author offers excellent, biblically grounded guidance for the development of authentic Christian womanhood. I predict that this work will become a classic textbook for Christians in quest of wholesome, God-honoring, biblically accurate answers to some of the most urgent personal issues of the day." (Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian, professor emeritus of biblical studies, Wheaton College, and author of Beyond Sex Roles )

"With an honest voice, Ruth Barton helps women move away from small ideas of what we should be, think and do, and instead embrace the enormity of our calling in Christ. This book is an invitation to drink in the rich truths that free us to live as his disciples in the whole of our life--in marriage, motherhood, friendships, and in service to the church and the world." (Andi Ashworth, author of Real Love for Real Life: The Art and Work of Caring )

"I see dozens of women who are walking a straight line to frustration and bitterness. Longing for More really could bring them freedom. Ruth Haley Barton offers a straight line--a narrow but liberating way--to joy in the Spirit." (Dr. Larry Crabb, author of Shattered Dreams and The Pressure's Off )

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (June 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830835067
• ISBN-13: 978-0830835065
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ruth Haley Barton is founder of the Transforming Center (www.thetransformingcenter.org), a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of pastors, Christian leaders and the congregations and organizations they serve. A sought-after teacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader, Ruth is the author of numerous books and articles on the spiritual life including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry, Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, and Longing for More.

Educated at Northern Seminary, the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and Loyola University Chicago Institute for Pastoral Studies, she has served on the pastoral staff of several churches including Willow Creek Community Church.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, But Not Great!, August 13, 2008

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R. DuPar "Lover of Books, Nature and Many Things" (Goleta, Ca) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Longing for More: A Woman's Path to Transformation in Christ (Paperback)

Barton tries to help women deal with feelings of dissatisfaction by finding freedom in who we are in Christ. She presents case for women being gifted and called by God. She thinks some church and social structure leads to women suppressing and not using these gifts. She covers topics such as identity, vocation, relationships, spirituality, singleness/marriage, sexuality, and motherhood. She believes we all have a calling that lives itself out in all these areas.

I think that was a good book, but not GREAT (as suggested by a friend). Some of the chapters felt redundant when read 2 per week for a group. It might have been a better fast read. It might also apply more to older women in a different part of the country (I am 32 and live in California).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For the downtrodden woman with conservative roots, July 28, 2010

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Texi - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Longing for More: A Woman's Path to Transformation in Christ (Paperback)

I read this study with my women's group, and we were surprised by the feminist slant in every chapter. It seems every problem we come across in life is rooted in the fact that we are women and therefore oppressed beings who have been held back from discovering our true selves. ??? I was unable to really appreciate this viewpoint until I learned that the author, Ruth, grew up in an ultra-conservative church where the role of women was firmly held as subordinate to men. Though completely unable to relate to this, I did still find many of the chapters interesting and conducive to discussion. She also makes a very strong case for women's equality by countering the long-held arguments based on Bible verses (i.e. the wife must submit to the husband, women should be quiet in church, etc.)

Some thought-provoking chapters in this book, however I think it would be best suited for women who come from a similar background as the author or who have had trouble learning to explore and express their own identities.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Christian, truly feminine, truly challenging, October 26, 2010

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Stephpease - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Longing for More: A Woman's Path to Transformation in Christ (Paperback)

Ruth Haley Barton writes an excellent book covering women's issues in Christianity. She clearly put much thought and research into her topics, and she is careful to demonstrate how these issues affect women in all walks of life - married women, single women, women with and without children, women of all ages. Her hermeneutics of women in leadership of the church masterfully focuses on what the majority of Bible passages say about women leaders, and relegates the discussion of the passages that seem the exception to that rule to an appendix, rather than making their deconstruction the main basis of her arguments.

The chapters of the book cover women's struggle for identity, finding and following God's purposes for our lives, women and leadership, living authentically, escaping consumerism and materialism, sexuality, marriage, motherhood, painful life circumstances, trans-generational relationships, and being Christ in the world.

I began this text already agreeing with most of her conclusions, but have still found myself stretched and challenged further as a result of what I've read. I think this is an excellent book for Christian women of all sorts, and also an excellent book for those outside Christianity looking to find in despair a place within the faith where women are respected and treasured.