Are Kristen and Bethany really as bad as people make them seem?
What is Girl Defined?
Girl Defined Ministries was started back in 2014 by Texas sisters, Bethany and Kristen. The girls have a huge global outreach from their books, blogs, YouTube channel, and conferences. Bethany and Kristen aim to teach girls how to live out Biblical womanhood through their many different platforms.
Is Girl Defined Biblically Accurate?
Kristen and Bethany never take away from, add to, or change the scriptures. However, they often talk about their own convictions, self-made standards, and rules. I would advise anybody who is reading Girl Defined's material or watching their videos to ask themselves: Is this something the Bible truly requires or is it simply Kristen and Bethany's choice? For example, the Bible doesn't say you have to save your first kiss until your wedding day. That is just what they choose to do. The Bible also doesn't set specific modesty guidelines or restrict women from having traditional careers. These are some of the many things Kristen and Bethany promote which are not specifically mentioned in the Bible. There is really nothing wrong with Bethany and Kristen talking about their lifestyle choices, but if the audience starts to believe that they need to do things exactly the same way as Kristen and Bethany that's dangerous. People who place too much value on self-made rules become legalistic, which means they care more about being a rule-follower than being a genuinely good person.
What I Like About Girl Defined
One of the things that impressed me about Kristen and Bethany when reading the book Girl Defined was the dignity and self-respect they had for themselves when deciding to decline the modeling opportunities offered to them. It probably took a lot of courage for Bethany and Kristen to pass on the status, glory, and wealth, that comes with a career in modeling in order to stick to their values. Even if you don't share Kristen and Bethany's values, you can appreciate their commitment to them.
I also appreciate the second chapter of Girl Defined, titled Blonde Bombshells Don't Have What It Takes. Of course, there is nothing wrong with being blonde and beautiful, but what this chapter is trying to say is that outer beauty can not bring you lasting joy. Fame, adoration, beauty, and wealth don't make you truly happy. I think this is an important message that more girls need to hear.
Kristen and Bethany place a high emphasis on prioritizing family. In the book, Girl Defined, Kristen and Bethany warn girls not to waste their youth chasing down superficial dreams, but to invest it into their friends, family, and loved ones. I think most people if asked directly, would agree that family is valuable. However, it becomes very easy to get very busy and fill our schedules with things that won't really matter ten years or even ten days from now instead of nurturing the relationships we have with our family members. While I don't think anyone has to spend every minute of every day with their family, I certainly agree with Kristen and Bethany, that spending quality time with your family is important.
What I Don't Like About Girl Defined
Kristen and Bethany almost always talk about the same stuff in their books and videos: purity, modesty, Christian dating, marriage, and that's about it. The truth is, these topics, although important, only make up a very small portion of the Bible. I would love to see Girl Defined dive into some different and deeper theological concepts.
Additionally, I would like to see Kristen and Bethany talk about the heart of the gospel, salvation, a little bit more. Instead of focusing on how girls should act, dress, and behave, I would like to see them focus more on who Jesus is and what he has done for us. After all, it is not because of who we are or what we have done to receive salvation it is about who He is and what He's done.
What's All The Controversy About?
To be honest, I'm not sure why Girl Defined has received so much hate. The reality is that what they are teaching has been around for a long time. There are tons of books by conservative Christian authors that say the exact same thing. So why have Kristen and Bethany been subjected to such harsh criticism and personal attacks on the Internet? I believe it is because they have put themselves out on YouTube in a way that no other conservative Christian ministry has before. To the outside world, I am sure that the lifestyle Kristen and Bethany have chosen for themselves seems strange to say the least, maybe even bizarre and radical to some. However, they deserve to be treated with the same kindness and respect that everyone else does. There is no reason for them to be treated so horribly on the Internet. It's just not cool. Kristen and Bethany, if you are reading this, I want to tell you to not let the haters and trolls get you down!
Is Girl Defined's Content Good?
This is a decision you will have to make for yourself after comparing what is taught by Kristen and Bethany to the scriptures. I encourage you to check out more of Girl Defined's material and pray on it before jumping to a conclusion.
