Book Reviews on Two Books on Women’s Biblical Role

I have known for decades that churches have different views of women’s role in the church. I have attended a variety of churches with varied traditions. I grew up in the Episcopal church, which ordains women as deacons, priests, and bishops. However, the churches I have attended since do not ordain women other than as deacons. Through the years, I have discussed this with various people, but never been pushed to consider how I feel about the issue, or perhaps I simply have not taken it upon myself to consider it (more likely!).

Challenge of Women’s Role

I was recently challenged on my choice of author of one of the book reviews I’ve begun doing this year. The author apparently has views of women’s role in the church that the reader didn’t agree with. I thought it was time to see what others have to say about the topic.

I read both Is the Bible Good for Women?, by Wendy Alsup, and The Making of Biblical Womanhood, by Beth Allison Barr. The two offered a different approach to the question of women’s roles in the church. Both are biblically based writings with logical and thorough presentations of their understanding of the Bible and women up to today.

Is the Bible Good for Women?

Alsup, in Is the Bible Good for Women?, presents a foundation of Bible stories and the idea that God is concerned for women and actively seeks to protect women. The description of the laws as related to Old Testament stories was an interesting perspective that makes me think I should continue to look at the Bible as a whole story and not just individual books of the Bible. The inter-relatedness of the stories of humans together with the law and the New Testament is foundational for the understanding of the role of women according to the Bible, however the pat conclusion that just happens to agree with the author’s denomination was a bit too much to swallow whole. I would have appreciated a bit more understanding on the struggle of women and men to understand the role, instead of dismissing the role of women in the secular world as irrelevant to the discussion.

I cannot help but think: Has God not set out a plan for the whole world, yet we, the church, are the ones who accept that plan and seek to carry forth is kingdom on earth? Why would we set aside the ‘working world’ when considering what role women play? Does women’s role change based on if it is in the church or in the world? I believe that God calls us to live a consistent life, inside and outside the church, on Sunday just as on Monday-Saturday.

The Making of Biblical Womanhood

Barr, in her The Making of Biblical Womanhood, presents a historical perspective as well as a biblical struggle to understand the role of women. As a historian, Barr has the advantage of extensive knowledge that has influenced her thinking and the way she was raised to understand the written word. The inclusion of her personal and family story in Texas was easily relatable as a Texan and given the international church experiences I’ve had. Some of the history presented included insight into the translations we use to understand the word of God, and how they too are influenced by those who translate – or pay for the translation. The medieval understanding of women and sexual desire was also an interesting point in distinguishing the view society has had of women, married, single, and widowed, through the years. The contrast of this to the view of men as well draws the reader in to question how this change came about. Barr doesn’t seem to draw any conclusions in her text, but clearly aims the readers thoughts. Should she have? I’m not sure – it is her story to tell.

I cannot help but think: How did Jesus talk to women and treat women? What has been written about class and hierarchy in the New Testament? Are women a ‘different’ class? Have gendered and gender-neutral pronouns and phrases added to or detracted from our view of the biblical role of women? How has the whole-Bible perspective been embraced when only a handful of passages are identified to discuss women’s role? How does the historical context of the Bible add to our understanding of the word?

Articulating my beliefs

I am sure to have more studying on this topic, but I am now better equipped to consider articulating a conclusion. I was recommended Kenneth Bailey videos on the topic, what do you recommend?

Share your opinion below on complementarianism or egalitarianism (as the terms typically used in the discussion)!