Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition

by Barbara J. MacHaffie

Overview

'Barbara J. MacHaffie's brief history is a fast-paced, readable introduction to the status of women in Christian history from Bible times to the present, with an emphasis on the American scene. The work provides a good survey of much new ground that has been uncovered by recent research, and concludes with useful suggestions for further reading.' ---Robert T. Handy, Union Theological Seminary, New York

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781451404029
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	01/28/1986
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	971,794
File size:	554 KB

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	viii
	Introduction	1
1.	Biblical Images of Women	5
	Critical Principles	5
	Status of Women in Hebrew Society	6
	The Old Testament Critique of Patriarchy	9
	The New Testament Picture	14
	The Writings of the Apostle Paul	18
2.	Women and the Early Churches	23
	Women in the New Testament Churches	23
	Deutero-Pauline Reaction	26
	The Ministries of Women in the Post-Biblical Churches	28
	Women Outside the Orthodox Mainstream	32
	Martyrdom and the Witness of Perpetua	34
	Patristic Attitudes Toward Women	36
	Writers, Poets, and Pilgrims	39
3.	Virgin and Witch: Women in Medieval Christianity	43
	The Life of Virginity and Chastity	44
	Medieval Mariology	51
	Woman as Witch	54
	Medieval Women in Prayer and Protest	57
4.	Women in an Era of Reformation	61
	Luther, Calvin, and the Status of Women	61
	Catholic Women in an Era of Reform	66
	Protestant Women Active in Reform	68
	Protestant Women Outside the Mainstream	70
5.	Women and Christianity in the American Colonies	75
	Modified Patriarchy	75
	Anne Hutchinson, the "American Jezebel"	80
	The Revival Tradition	83
	Quaker Women	88
6.	Women Organizing for Mission and Reform	93
	The Cult of True Womanhood	93
	Organizing for Charity and Reform	96
	Organized Feminism, Women's Rights, and the Christian Community	100
	Women in Mission	102
7.	Nineteenth-Century Preachers and Scholars	107
	Women in the Evangelical Tradition	107
	The Debate Over Women Preaching	110
	The Woman's Bible	113
8.	American Women in Catholicism and Sectarianism	117
	Images of Women in American Catholicism	117
	American Women in Religious Orders	120
	Women and Sectarian Christianity	123
9.	The Move Toward Full Participation	129
	The Expansion of Denominational Roles	129
	Signs of Retrenchment	131
	Post-War Changes	133
	A New Agenda for Women	134
10.	Agents of Transformation	139
	Women in the Ordained Ministry	139
	The Ministry of Deaconess and Nun	143
	Theological Education	144
	Reforming the Liturgy	146
	The Need for Feminist Theologies	148
	Conclusion	153
	Notes	157
	Suggestions for Further Reading	165
	Subject Index	179
	Scripture Index	183

Editorial Reviews

This concise history explores the underlying forces shaping the status and role of women from biblical times through the present. While it examines misogynist influences in patriarchal cultures, Her Story also highlights material in the Bible that ``challenges and condemns patriarchy.'' What emerges from MacHaffie's distillation of the burgeoning body of scholarship on women and religion is a surprising and refreshing diversity in the ways women have contributed to the Christian community. A well-written, understandable text, Her Story identifies lost traditions that affirm women and analyzes women's current involvement in theological education, the ministry, and feminist theology and liturgics. Highly recommended for academic and general collections, as well as for church libraries. Cynthia Widmer, Williamstown, Mass.

Library Journal