Walking the walk (by Heather Hunt)

(Amazon UK link)

When I first had my Kindle, I regularly downloaded books that were offered free for a short period. I tended to have a quick glance at the blurb, as I was interested to try out authors or genres I would not normally read. One of these was ‘Walking the walk’ by Heather Hunt, which has been on my Kindle since August 2012. I chose it at random as something non-fiction with a Christian slant to read over the past few weeks while I was travelling. Apparently there are other writers with the same name; the author of this book, who has also written some 'inspirational romance' novels, is based in the United States.

I really wanted to like the book. It focuses on six different women from the Bible, some better-known than others. It promises a study of each character with what the author calls her ‘DARE’ method, and applications to modern life. It seemed like a good idea, even if I was a tad put off by the author describing herself as a ‘faith fashionista’ - I have no interest at all in fashion or expensive clothes. But I liked the idea of a ‘guide to godly friendship’, as the book’s subtitle suggests.

The introduction to the book starts well. It outlines the importance of true friendship: of supporting and listening to each other. I was a tad irritated by incorrect use of the word ‘literally’, when talking about walking a mile in a friend’s shoes, but nowadays ‘literally’ is often used metaphorically. And I could see what was meant. 

There are some punctuation errors, too - the book does not seem to have been proof-read, and perhaps was self-published, since it’s only available in Kindle form. However, I thought the content of the introduction quite positive and encouraging, if long-winded, and looked forward to reading the rest of the book. I didn’t plan to take six weeks over it, as suggested, but to dip into it now and again, in odd moments. 

Rahab is the first biblical woman to be considered. The author talks about examining our own lives, including looking in a mirror. I was surprised by the implication that the author is a smoker, and that she has spent a lot of money on cosmetic surgery - even more that she implies that these things are normal. And I didn't understand why she seems to think we would all feel pain on looking at our reflections, rather than (as seems normal to me) a simple acceptance of who we are, with our familiar flaws.

The book then quotes the entire story of Rahab as found in the book of Joshua - nearly two complete chapters - in the King James version. I know the story well, so I skimmed that, then discovered that the ‘DARE’ method of ‘study’ is basically simple comprehension questions. So I ignored those. 

The ‘life application’ section gives some practical and positive advice about not dwelling on the past, but remembering that God has forgiven us. However, it didn’t seem to have anything much to do with the story of Rahab. Yes, she had courage and she cared, so she rescued the Israelites, and ended up being one of the ancestors of Jesus. But Heather Hunt says that Rahab was repentant, assuming that’s what was meant by her ‘melted heart’. However, there is no evidence in Scripture that she changed her promiscuous lifestyle. And unfortunately, the ‘life application’ section becomes repetitive and wordy, with too many exclamation marks. 

The second section looks at Orpah, the second daughter-in-law of Naomi in the biblical book of Ruth. Orpah is often forgotten, as she goes back to her family in the first chapter. The introduction to this section of the book talks about childish friendships, and how they are a lot simpler than friendships in adulthood. We need wisdom, sometimes, and insight, and plenty of diplomacy if friends have difficult dilemmas or awkward questions. 

Then there’s another longish quoted KJV passage, from the book of Ruth, with more basic questions at the end, which I skipped over. And the ‘life application’ is quite confused: the implication is that Orpah was on the wrong path when she returned to her family, rather than continuing with her in-laws. Yet we don’t know that. 

Orpah wanted to stay with Naomi and Ruth, but was persuaded by her mother-in-law to return to her family. She listened to someone she respected, and did what she was strongly advised to do.  We know that Ruth went on to marry a relative, and was also in the ancestry of Jesus. But we have no idea what happened to Orpah, nor do we know that her path was the wrong one. 

I did finish the book, eventually, though the actual parts I read were minimal - just the introductions and the ‘life application’ ideas. All the women and their stories are familiar to me: the others covered are Deborah, Esther, Hannah and Tabitha. The comprehension questions seemed pointless, and while the ‘life applications' do contain some useful and relevant points, they’re long-winded and mostly have little to do (in my view) with the women whose lives are being discussed.

I don’t like being so negative about a book that evidently has a positive aim. It's a good idea to have a book about six lesser-known biblical women, and perhaps it would make a good introduction to them for anyone who doesn't know much about them. It does also make some points that might be useful to people who feel that their current friendships are superficial, or one-sided. 

But it’s not a book I would recommend, nor one I’m likely to read again. It’s no longer free for the Kindle. 

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