- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Jan 25, 2024 13:47:55 GMT -8
This was part of a reply to a couple of topics of discussion where women were wondering (read that stressing) over the question of their beauty and/or desirability. Basically their worth as human beings, and their dignity as women. Thought I'd post it here, as it seems to be a topic causing a lot of consternation not only among women, but young men not sure about their relationships with women in an overturned, insane society. Here is my reply:
Actually, most women are more beautiful than they think; and yes, part of that beauty is focusing on the positives [which was the original question, why do we "focus on the positives" instead of their "beauty"]. Those can include what about you we, or even just that one special person likes about your looks. But those "positives" can also include any or several of the traits a woman might have- the things that really make a woman a woman.
This is one of the places our media (which drives the culture) and the feminist movement has really done a disservice to men and women alike; this focus on their superficial, if polar opposite views of what a woman should be. What she should look like, how she should act.
My wife is beautiful to me for so many reasons; physically, but also character traits. And as we grow older and the model of youth TV and movies portray and the drive the women's movement has parlayed into ambition wanes we have a shared history that makes her even more wonderful and beautiful.
Women (and men) need to focus less on culture, the trivial ideals of Hollywood and the arts; less on those ideals of liberal government and the so called "women's" movement, and more on those ideals expressed in the Bible. What the ideal woman is according to the God who created both man and woman said she should be like.
Prov 14:1, 18:22, 31:10-31; Titus 2:3-5; Col 3:18; 1 Pet 3:1, 4; 1 Tim 3:11; and the many examples found throughout scripture of women acting virtuously. I will caution that you read these verses with a Messianic understanding which encompasses not just understanding the actual language used, but the entire context of the passage. Reliance on what the church fathers (most of who hated two types of people- Jews and women) taught they mean. Otherwise they might play right into the hands of the radical women’s movement. One might say “But it says what it means and means what it says!” True, it did in the original documents and language, as would have been understood by the people to whom it was addressed, as well as of the time and culture in which it was written. But a direct translation would be unreadable to us today. Get an Interlinear Bible and you’ll see what I mean. Our Bibles are not even really translations, but more transliterations where the “translator” tries to get across what is meant rather than just a word for word “translation.” This is the kind of fog we as Meshiachim try to penetrate, taking all of context into consideration and coming to a better understanding.
However even with that shallow understanding we received in Sunday School there is enough there to make us all, both men and women secure in each others sexuality. Our worth as individuals and partners in God's family as well as in a Godly family as defined by Yotzreinu: our Potter, Maker, Creator (Is 64:8).
Actually, most women are more beautiful than they think; and yes, part of that beauty is focusing on the positives [which was the original question, why do we "focus on the positives" instead of their "beauty"]. Those can include what about you we, or even just that one special person likes about your looks. But those "positives" can also include any or several of the traits a woman might have- the things that really make a woman a woman.
This is one of the places our media (which drives the culture) and the feminist movement has really done a disservice to men and women alike; this focus on their superficial, if polar opposite views of what a woman should be. What she should look like, how she should act.
My wife is beautiful to me for so many reasons; physically, but also character traits. And as we grow older and the model of youth TV and movies portray and the drive the women's movement has parlayed into ambition wanes we have a shared history that makes her even more wonderful and beautiful.
Women (and men) need to focus less on culture, the trivial ideals of Hollywood and the arts; less on those ideals of liberal government and the so called "women's" movement, and more on those ideals expressed in the Bible. What the ideal woman is according to the God who created both man and woman said she should be like.
Prov 14:1, 18:22, 31:10-31; Titus 2:3-5; Col 3:18; 1 Pet 3:1, 4; 1 Tim 3:11; and the many examples found throughout scripture of women acting virtuously. I will caution that you read these verses with a Messianic understanding which encompasses not just understanding the actual language used, but the entire context of the passage. Reliance on what the church fathers (most of who hated two types of people- Jews and women) taught they mean. Otherwise they might play right into the hands of the radical women’s movement. One might say “But it says what it means and means what it says!” True, it did in the original documents and language, as would have been understood by the people to whom it was addressed, as well as of the time and culture in which it was written. But a direct translation would be unreadable to us today. Get an Interlinear Bible and you’ll see what I mean. Our Bibles are not even really translations, but more transliterations where the “translator” tries to get across what is meant rather than just a word for word “translation.” This is the kind of fog we as Meshiachim try to penetrate, taking all of context into consideration and coming to a better understanding.
However even with that shallow understanding we received in Sunday School there is enough there to make us all, both men and women secure in each others sexuality. Our worth as individuals and partners in God's family as well as in a Godly family as defined by Yotzreinu: our Potter, Maker, Creator (Is 64:8).
