I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Courageous Virtue: A Bible Study on Moral Excellence for Women
in Paperback edition on December 1, 2000 and has 102 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
This is part of the Courageous Studies for Women bible study series.
Disclaimer: I hadn’t realized when I joined this contest last winter that this was a) religious, and b) a study guide for the Bible. I am agnostic and not aligned with a particular religion.
I did accept going into this contest that I would be obligated to provide a review, so I’m reviewing, just keep in mind that I’ll be skeptical.
My Take
I do have a problem with the premise that because one is “Christian”, one is more loved by God, more heroic, more good, more virtuous, more just, more whatever. I believe that any of these (and other) virtues are achievable by any human being no matter their religious beliefs. Any person is capable of being just; you don’t have to be a Christian to respect others.
As for “faith, hope, and love (charity) being bestowed by God upon one at Baptism…I suspect these particular virtues will be experienced and learned if the child is exposed to these by the people raising him or her.
I do agree that “the power of self-determination, to freely choose who we are and who we will become, is a gift…” whether it’s from God or in whomever you choose to believe.
The questions Mitch provides are good and thought provoking. I do like that Mitch provides specific verses for those studying a particular virtue. No, I’m in the middle of packing to move and my Bible is packed, otherwise I would have been tempted to explore.
Raised as a Catholic, I had all the Sunday school catechism classes and the Church’s party line thrust down my throat. As I grew older and indulged my love for history and explored more on my own, I learned from primary sources the reasons why Christians were persecuted and the reasons why Christianity spread so quickly. None of these reasons are discussed within the Church. Well, at least not with the average Catholic. Yes, some of my historical explorations included the schisms which started with Martin Luther King, the split into Protestantism, and the further splits into the variety of Christian religions we have today. All of which were provoked by the Catholic Church.
I do agree with Mitch’s comments about Self-Control in our society; we are out of control and generally lacking in patience.
Ah, well, yes the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, and the history behind these is not particularly Christian, LOL. These resulted from politics and a greed for power.
Oh, the lesson on Love made me cry.
At the end of the book, Mitch includes a Leader’s Guide with general suggestions as well as the answers to the lessons which appear to be nicely thought out.
If you’re into the Bible and understanding its lessons, this study guide is likely to be ideal for you. Mitch’s questions were thought-provoking and interesting enough that I did wonder which box my Bible was tucked in, although I have not tried this study guide as it’s intended.
The Cover and Title
The cover is beautiful in its jewel tones with its lapis-like frame around a bright image of one saintly woman comforting another who is kneeling. Behind them is an elaborately decorated arched opening which frames a dusty looking city beyond.
The title says it all, A Bible Study on Moral Excellence for Women through the exploration of Courageous Virtue.
