I am doing something quite rare for me. I am reading slowly! I am reading through Why Can’t We Be Friends (Aimee Byrd) and I am actually taking my time through it. It is really quite remarkable. Normally, it takes me a few hours to read through a book, but I find myself reading one or two sections at a time and thinking deeply about it.
Here are some things I would like to say. If you do not understand the relationship between faith and works, read this book.
If you do not understand what purity is, read this book.
If you are unclear about the gospel, read this book.
Aimee has done something very rare here. She has written a book about the relationships between men and women and has applied the Reformed Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and our sanctification to the relationship of the sexes. I have never seen anyone do that before.
Every other book I’ve read is EITHER about sanctification, OR it is about the rules on how to keep yourself pure through the law – but to connect purity with the GOSPEL?? and the work of the HOLY SPIRIT??
It is almost like she knows something about theology and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit!
You can tell she is on the right track because modern Pharisees are apparently ready to string her up for it. When the gospel is taught, the Judaizers always light the torches and sharpen the pitchforks.
But she is absolutely right. Our purity is in our relationship with God, not in outward, extra biblical rules. In fact, the extra biblical rules, like the Billy Graham rule, simply give the appearance of purity without dealing with the more difficult problem of the heart. The gospel goes to the heart.
At any rate, I haven’t finished yet. I am still thinking through her brilliant chapter on purity, and thinking about what Jesus said,
“Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.” (Matt. 23:26 NAB)
Go buy this book. Read it slowly, and then read it again.
By the way, this isn’t a book review. I haven’t written one of those since college and don’t even remember how. I said that I would never write one again, and I have kept my promise to myself. This is simply a note of my thoughts so far and my recommendation to you.
Fabulous book, so far. (If she gets goofy towards the end, I’ll let you know – but I’m not expecting her to).
Thank you, Aimee, for writing it.
My Only Comfort 
Thanks Sam!
Thanks, Sam. I’ve been going slowly too, and setting it aside a few times because it’s kind of triggering. Some of the negative reviews and critics strewn about the internet are also just like just pouring salt on old wounds.
It’s kind of sad, but the one thing I think every woman I’ve ever met really wants more than anything else in the world, is to simply not be viewed with such contempt.
So. I really appreciate your positive review and I think this is a conversation we really need to be having. I’m grateful Aimee wrote it.
“You can tell she is on the right track because modern Pharisees are apparently ready to string her up for it. When the gospel is taught, the Judaizers always light the torches and sharpen the pitchforks.”
I love it, “Light the torches and sharpen the pitchforks.” That they do!
Your blog is such a delight. I learn a lot. I also laugh. It’s marvelous.
Thank you for sharing and the recommendation. This may be a good read for me? I have been ridiculed for thinking and living purely. There was a time where the man I married eventually admitted that he had watched me and knew that he could trust me because he could see my devotion to the Lord was so important to me. This is why it is so painful to now be abandoned emotionally by ‘him’ and the children … and the ‘c’hurch.
Thank you for sharing! I am always looking for solid books on the way of Jesus
Thanks Sam. I don’t normally read books. I might pick this one up.
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