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Uncovers churchwomen's participation and impact on defining historical moments and themes of Christian traditions
Women in Christian Traditions offers a concise and accessible examination of the roles women have played in the construction and practice of Christian traditions, revealing the enormous debt that this major world religion owes to its female followers. It recovers forgotten and obscured moments in church history to help us to realize a richer and fuller understanding of Christianity.
This text provides an overview of the complete sweep of Christian history through the lens of feminist scholarship. Yet it also departs from some of the assumptions of that scholarship, raising questions that challenge our thinking about how women have shaped beliefs and practices during two thousand years of church history. Did the emphasis on virginity in the early church empower Christian women? Did the emphasis on marriage during the Reformations of the sixteenth century improve their status? These questions and others have important implications for women in Christianity in particular, and for women in religion in general, since they go to the heart of the human condition.
This work examines themes, movements, and events in their historical contexts and locates churchwomen within the broader developments that have been pivotal in the evolution of Christianity. From the earliest disciples to the latest theologians, from the missionaries to the martyrs, women have been instrumental in keeping the faith alive. Women in Christian Traditions shows how they did so.
Uncovers churchwomen's participation and impact on defining historical moments and themes of Christian traditions
Women in Christian Traditions offers a concise and accessible examination of the roles women have played in the construction and practice of Christian traditions, revealing the enormous debt that this major world religion owes to its female followers. It recovers forgotten and obscured moments in church history to help us to realize a richer and fuller understanding of Christianity.
This text provides an overview of the complete sweep of Christian history through the lens of feminist scholarship. Yet it also departs from some of the assumptions of that scholarship, raising questions that challenge our thinking about how women have shaped beliefs and practices during two thousand years of church history. Did the emphasis on virginity in the early church empower Christian women? Did the emphasis on marriage during the Reformations of the sixteenth century improve their status? These questions and others have important implications for women in Christianity in particular, and for women in religion in general, since they go to the heart of the human condition.
This work examines themes, movements, and events in their historical contexts and locates churchwomen within the broader developments that have been pivotal in the evolution of Christianity. From the earliest disciples to the latest theologians, from the missionaries to the martyrs, women have been instrumental in keeping the faith alive. Women in Christian Traditions shows how they did so.
Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction: Why Study Women in Christian Traditions? 1 1. In the Beginning ... Eve 19 2. The Women Disciples in the Kingdom of God 27 3. Women and the Conversion of an Empire 47 4. Saints, Seers, and Scholars in the Middle Ages 67 5. Women Reformed, Women Resistant 87 6. Spirit-Filled Women in the Nineteenth Century 107 7. Churchwomen on the Margins and in the Mainstream 129 Conclusion: The Church of Martha and Mary 153 Questions for Discussion 157 Notes 159 Works Cited 181 For Further Reading 195 Subject Index 197 Index to the Bible and New Testament Apocrypha 207 About the Author 209
Rebecca Moore is Professor of Religious Studies at San Diego State University. She is the author of Voices of Christianity: A Global Introduction, and co-author of A Portable God: The Origin of Judaism and Christianity, with Risa Levitt Kohn. Her most recent book is Understanding Jonestown and Peoples Temple.
A very useful introductory book to women's roles in Christian
history. It provides a solid overview of feminist scholarship from
the beginnings of Christianity to the present. It will play a key
role in courses on this history.
*Rosemary Radford Ruether,Claremont School of Theology and Graduate
University*
A major contribution to the literature on women in Christianity.
Moore effectively synthesizes the last thirty years of scholarship.
. . . Using the template of saints, seers and scholars, she has
managed to bewonder of wondersboth comprehensive and brief. Both
readable and informative, this book will inform undergraduates in
courses on the history of Christianity and in women's and gender
studies classes. And some might want to buy it for a religious
leader who should be better informed on the issues!
*Nadia Lahutsky,Texas Christian University*
The book would be an excellent source in an introduction to
Christianity or a class on women in religion.
*Religious Studies Review*
An excellent conversation starter and would be a wonderful addition
to any course syllabus looking to inspire classroom dialogue.
*Reading Religion*
Women in Christian Traditionsdirects a feminist lens at what would
be, in less skilled hands, an unmanageable corpus of topics and
source materials, and achieves a work that surveys the breadth and
depth of its topic in a way that is informative, fresh, and
engaging.
*Sociology of Religion*
Women in Christian Traditionsis a work that will be indispensible
in course on gender and religion. Indeed, this work is essential
reading for anyone interested in gender or religion. Its scope
provides historians, scholars of religions, sociologists, and
feminist theorists, as well as clergyand those interested in gender
and religion outside of academia or religiona resource that is at
once brief and thorough, concise and comprehensive.
*Sociology of Religion*
The scope is impressive, and this overview would serve as a
valuable text in an introductory womens studies course.
*Anglican and Episcopal History*
Moore accomplishes a seemingly incredible feat: she tells the story
of women in Christianity through 2,000 years of
history...Noteworthy for itsbreadth and depth, Moores projectwill
encourage smart conversations about women and Christianity.
*Choice*
What a pleasant surprise to find a book on women and Christianity
that is not a rant against the evil inherent in this misogynistic
religion. Rebecca Moore presents a balanced narrative of womens
well-earned place in the history of Christianity, and a significant
place it is indeed. Written with students in mind, it probably will
succeed in making the reading list of many college courses. This is
a good thing; it may be the best choice now available.
*Catholic Historical Review*
Moores volume is a thoroughly enjoyable book thateffectively
outlines the continuous and significant role that women have played
in the historical development of the Christian tradition. She
provides an accessible sweep of Christian history with special
attention to the way that women have affected its development by
incorporating engaging narratives focused on the lives of
influential women.
*Catholic Book Review*
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