In the hundred years since The Women's Bible, giant strides have been made in feminist interpretation of the Bible. Now comes the first comprehensive overview of the whole field. The authors systematically recount those efforts to describe the story of women in both testaments, to uncover tendencies not supportive of women, and to describe biblical traditions that empower women. The book unfolds in three parts: -- Historical, Hermeneutical, and Methodological Foundations-- Toward a Feminist Reconstruction of the History of Israel-- Toward a Feminist Reconstruction of Early Christianity

This valuable resource both presents and demonstrates the numerous developments in feminist criticsm of the Bible and the enormous rage of influence that feminist criticism has come to have in biblical studies. The purpose of the book is to raise issues of method that are largely glossed over or merely implied in most non-feminist works on the Bible. The editors have included broadly theoretical essays on feminist methods and the various roles they may play in research and pedagogy, as well as non-feminist essays that have direct bearing on the methods or subject matter that feminists use, as well as reading that illustrate the variety of methodological strategies adopted by feminist scholars. Some 30 scholars, from North America and Europe, have contributed to this Companion.

Since its origins in the women's liberation movement, feminist exegesis has been subject not only to the demand to identify the oppressive functions of biblical texts but also to contribute to the liberation of women. What biblical texts can serve this process of liberation-for which women, under what conditions, and in what manner? What roles do categories such as woman, gender, liberation, freedom, Holy Scripture, church, and theology play? This book originated from a symposium with feminist biblical experts from over twenty countries from five continents. It provides a striking and imaginative depiction of the questions central to feminist exegesis and the hermeneutics of liberation. It also provides a lively example of the kind of global discussion of the Bible and liberation that can take place among women from around the world. Typical of this discussion is the confrontation with questions such as contextuality or the diversity of feminist biblical interpretation (whether of theological or non-theological nature), and clear positions are taken with regard to issues such as the termination of anti-Judaism in feminist biblical interpretation or the dangers of neo-colonial domination in feminist-theological studies.

This work provides a brief introduction to feminist interpretation of scripture. Feminist interpretation is first grounded in feminism as an intellectual and political movement. Next, this introduction briefly recounts the origins of feminist readings of the Bible with attention to both early readings and the beginnings of feminist biblical scholarship in the academy. Feminist biblical scholarship is not a single methodology, but rather an approach that can shape any reading method. As a discipline, it began with literary-critical readings (especially of the Hebrew Bible) but soon also broached questions of women’s history (especially in the New Testament and Christian origins). Since these first forays, feminist interpretation has influenced almost every type of biblical scholarship. The third section of this essay, then, looks at gender archaeology, feminist poststructuralism and postcolonial readings, and newer approaches informed by gender and queer theory. Finally, it ends by examining feminist readings of Eve.

"Among the works gathered in this volume, the readers will find: first useful syntheses on the feminist perspectives in contemporary theology (E. Lacelle) and on the interpretations of the Bible (O. Genest, A. Myre); then analyses of texts and themes, selected from the Old Testament (A. da Silva, J.-J. Lavoie) and the New Testament (J.-F. Racine, M. Gourgues, M. Girard), illustrating the diversity and riches of contemporary research. The book ends with reflections on the authority of the Bible seen in the light of feminist readings (G. Caron)." "These essays were presented on the occasion of the Fifty-first Congress of the Catholic Association of Biblical Studies in Canada (ACEBAC)."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Escaping Eden brings together feminist biblical scholars to explore how aspects of social location such as gender, ethnicity, class, and religious background affect biblical interpretation. The volume combines feminist reading strategies with sustained methodological inquiry. Writing in a range of modes including historical and literary criticism, cultural studies, satirical fiction, and the personal essay, the contributors challenge the presumed objectivity of conventional biblical scholarship. Interrogating biblical authority, que(e)rying Jeremiah, exploring translation as a feminist act, and reclaiming texts as diverse as Genesis, Luke, and Philippians, Escaping Eden expands the usual boundaries of biblical academic discourse.

What does the Bible teach about gender roles? Is there a difference as seen in Scripture? Understanding the debate over biblical feminism is essential to answering the questions about the role of women in the church. In this book, Dr. Cottrell "stands squarely in the path of the evangelical feminists who want to prove that the Bible agrees with their egalitarian views" (Clark H. Pinock, Ph.D., McMaster Divinity College). Lightning Print On Demand Title.

Essays discuss women's role in the church, the interpretation of Scripture, the use of Biblical materials, women in the Bible, female sexuality, battered women, and Biblical authority

How can recent advances in biblical studies empower feminist struggles and inspire all Christians to articulate a vision that promotes human dignity, justice, inclusivity and well-being for all? In this book, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza develops her insights into the study of the Bible. She reclaims the work of nineteenth and early twentieth-century feminist biblical interpreters. And she analyses several intriguing biblical passages to show how the Bible can contribute to the spiritual struggle for a more just world. Praise for Sharing Her Word: "A fresh yet seasoned stock taking of feminist Biblical hermeneutics by one of the leading figures in this field." - Old Testament Essays, 2000>