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The Making of Biblical Womanhood

How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

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The Making of Biblical Womanhood

By: Beth Allison Barr
Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
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Biblical womanhood - the belief that God designed women to be submissive wives, virtuous mothers, and joyful homemakers - pervades North-American Christianity. From choices about careers to roles in local churches to relationship dynamics, this belief shapes the everyday lives of evangelical women. Yet biblical womanhood isn't biblical, says Baylor University historian Beth Allison Barr. It was born in a series of clearly definable historical moments. 

This book moves the conversation about biblical womanhood beyond Greek grammar and into the realm of church history - ancient, medieval, and modern - to show that this belief is not divinely ordained but a product of human civilization that continues to creep into the church. Barr's historical insights provide context for contemporary teachings about women's roles in the church and help move the conversation forward. 

Interweaving her story as a Baptist pastor's wife, Barr sheds light on the #ChurchToo movement and abuse scandals in Southern Baptist circles and the broader evangelical world, helping listeners understand why biblical womanhood is more about human power structures than the message of Christ.

©2021 Beth Allison Barr (P)2021 eChristian Christianity Gender Studies Social Sciences Marriage Social justice
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this book reminded me (and beautifully and compellingly evidenced) that Christ and Paul preach and model oneness - not the coded separation of men and women. and in that equality is freedom and inclusively as deep as the love of God. Amen sister Beth and thank you

freedom and agency

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Thank you so much to Beth Allison Barr for writing this absolutely necessary book. It is the best I have read on women in church leadership. She is a mediaeval and religious history professor, so presents evidence showing that women have always been preaching, teaching and leading. It is a fairly recent phenomenon for men in church to suppress women preventing them doing this, and trying to present this as what was happening in the early church, and being different to ‘culture’. However Dr Barr shows that Christianity WAS different to the surrounding culture, which oppressed women and had them on the level of property. Church in the early days showed a different way and liberated women.

She also deals beautifully and completely with the verses in the New Testament which seem to prohibit women from speaking. She actually left me feeling how amazing, forward thinking and liberating to women Paul was! A completely essential read for those wanting solid explanations for women in leadership. No longer fear that you are being unbiblical. Thank you so much for writing this book!

Where has this book been my whole life?

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This book provides an excellent historical overview of a cultural belief that has affected everyone in the west.
It is suitably referenced throughout and there is a clear structure.

The audible version is clear and listenable. The style of speaking used underlines this as a work using thorough research to explain, evidence and challenge a problematic but current cultural situation in Western Society. You might need a dictionary as the author uses correct terms throughout to prevent misunderstanding. (In my opinion, this is a really good thing.)

I would recommend that everyone who reads or has read the Christian Bible also reads this book.

Challenging and thought provoking.

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It's not a conclusive theological argument for Egalitarianism, though it does contain solid theological argument and addresses many key parts of the Bible debated over on this topic. Beth is a historian, so this is written with those expertise given priority. It's a great book for someone who's just starting to investigate this issue!

Must read book about Women in ministry

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researching all the different insights and new found information I got from this work was such a delight.

thanks to Beth Allison Barr for this book, I will make sure my kids read this book and I will recommend it to everyone I can.

great book with lots of insights

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