Unpacking the Subjugation of Women in Christianity: A Look at the History of Biblical Womanhood

lv2sew: I am in the process of wearing this book out. With no index, I ended up getting the searchable Kindle edition. Absolutely wonderful reference that takes you through history tracing the patriarchal mindset, linking both racism and inerrancy to male authority. One of my favorite lines- "Dobson was simply preaching the nineteenth-century cult of domesticity, the only difference being that he had now sanctified it." (p. 166) Then at the end- "Complementarianism is patriarchy, and patriarchy is about power. Neither have ever been about Jesus." (p. 218)

My only misgiving- there were so very many women in the Charismatic Renewal around the turn of the century that didn't get mentioned like Aimee Semple McPherson, Marie Woodworth-Etter and Kathryn Kuhlman being 3 of them. But Beth having been raised in the SBC universe, I understand.

United States on Sep 21, 2023

Hallelujahbrews: "Jesus set women free a long time ago."

That's how Dr. @bethallisonbarr ends her historical examination of the subjugation of women in Christianity in her book "The Making of Biblical Womanhood." This is a book I didn't know I needed, and yet the first time I read it, I found myself crying on the couch. Then, I promptly messaged everyone in my small group that they needed to read this. I finally felt seen!

Dr. Barr systematically evaluates the historical roots of patriarchy and complementarianism in evangelical Christianity. She shows us how women have always been present in furthering the Gospel message. She summarizes evangelical interpretations and - using her historical perspective - explains just how evangelical Christianity found itself in the patriarchal mess of complementarianism today.

United States on Sep 09, 2023

victxriiaaa: Bought as a present and came neat and clean in strong packaging. No rips or tears and no dirty marks. Seems like a good read and the recipient is happy.

United Kingdom on Jun 12, 2023

Kindle Customer: The book makes a strong case for women in ministry. Go be free.

Patriarchy misunderstands and misapplies the Bible, to the point of heretical doctrine.

And patriarchy is cruel.

United Kingdom on Apr 29, 2023

Dee: This book was a lot to absorb, but it was far from boring or dry. Reading the forgotten or untold stories of women in church history was an interesting journey. Barr takes her reader through multiple perspectives of how she sees women, their role, and Scripture has been misused. She gives examples of women in the Bible whose stories are scrubbed of leadership and personality, women particularly in medieval history who didn't fit the mold, addressing how Pauline texts have been misread or applied backwards, and pointing out how gender bias may even have affected some translation work. She offers a thought provoking argument even if the reader doesn't agree.

Personally, while I found the stories of women "acting out" of assumed Christian roles and norms interesting to note, I didn't instantly see how the stories challenged how we read scripture. So, a good portion of her writing didn't really answer the questions I am asking. However, I know some people put more weight on history and church tradition than I do, so I know there is a place for this approach. This book definitely gave me some topics that I want to study more deeply though. I was shocked when she pointed out...

United States on Apr 26, 2023

Canadian Scot: One of the author's central premises is that evangelicals don't know their church history - and so they aren't able to think critically about some of the norms accepted today as 'gospel truth'. This book does just that.

The author starts by taking us back to biblical times to exegete the most controversial texts used by complementarians to prop up the modern conservative view of biblical womanhood. She draws on scholars' different interpretations of these texts to show that there are many ways of understanding and applying them, and that in fact a complementarian position is harder to maintain than an egalitarian reading.

She then traces the history of women's role in the church, from the early church right through to the present day. The author's approach is reasoned, powerful, and very rigorous. Highly, highly recommended.

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On a personal note: this book has opened my eyes to the many ways in which my identity and mindset as a Christian woman has been formed in myriad implicit ways, and at times it's felt like a real betrayal.

For example: I was recommended Wayne Grudem's 'Systematic Theology' in university by a male mentor - who positioned it...

United Kingdom on Mar 28, 2023

Thoughtful shopper: This book is an outstanding. It is a blend of of theology and history. It is also deeply personal. I felt like the author had a window into my head. It echoed so much of my own experience. I cannot recommend it highly enough or thank the author enough. I have long been concerned about the entangled, heretical mix of subordinationism and complimentarianism. Like her, I have found a way through. Today I am guest preacher at a church, last week I preached in my local church and the week before that that in a prison. I share this, not to brag but to let you know the Lord certainly does give back the years the locusts have stolen. Read this book - if you are stuck where you shouldn’t be, if you want to understand this type of churchmanship or if you have moved on. It is a key work in understanding evangelical church patriarchy.

United Kingdom on Mar 05, 2023

SB: This is a thought-provoking book which is worthy of being engaged with by evangelical Christians. I didn’t agree with every point, but in other ways, I found the book persuasive and eye-opening.

The first thing I would say is that Barr argues from an objective standpoint, in which she seeks to understand historical context and author intent in Scripture interpretation, which I appreciate. This is not a deconstructivist kind of book, with lots of subjective argumentation, and Barr is not losing her faith. My sense is she would still call herself an evangelical and is making a case for true faith, rather than deconstructing it.

Next, I want to explain honestly where I’m coming from. My initial reaction to a book such as this is to think, “What’s the problem?” In my opinion, women in America today are more free to do anything they want, than any other women at any other time in history, and this is largely due to the influence of Christianity on the culture (although the world will never admit this), which begins with the way Jesus valued and gave dignity to women. Also, Christianity’s emphasis on freedom of conscience essentially formed the basis for love...

United States on May 12, 2021

Sonya Szabo: It wasn’t sighs of relief I made when I read the 1st chapter of The Making of Biblical Womanhood. The book had just arrived in the mail after I had pre-ordered it on Amazon months ago after reading a few intriguing online articles by the author. The promise that the book would trace back to when the idea of Biblical Womanhood started in history had me hooked.

As a Christian, I’ve seen women treated as if they were second-class citizens or spiritual inferiors in the church most of my life. This has always confused me because when I read my bible this notion is not remotely expressed in any bible verses nor did Jesus treat women that way (in fact the opposite!) Over time I’ve come to understand that the concept of diminishing the power and voice of women came outside the bible I just never sure where from. I hoped this book would help me to pinpoint where it came from in history.

I opened the paperback the same evening it arrived and within the first few pages, I noticed my breathing start to quicken. There were so many disturbing historical truths written in the book I was letting out audible sighs. “Good book, eh?” my husband asked. “No-- I mean, yes! I...

Canada on Apr 25, 2021