Women in the Bible

• Trible

  • we can ‘depatriarchalise’ readings of the Bible, removing overly male interpretations
  • the old testament uses femininity to describe God
  • Numbers 11:12 - God is portrayed as a mother and a nurse of her children
  • the Bible has been misinterpreted in a patriarchal way
  • the Bible shows both female and male qualities
• Fiorenza

  • the Bible supports women’s struggles against patriarchal sexism, eg, Jesus breaking sexist customs (Mary & Martha)
  • accuses Daly of a mistakenly narrow approach
  • women living in patriarchal societies can take strength from the stories of Jesus engaging with women & offer a vision of salvation
• Who is referred to as the Virgin Mary in the context of the apostolic letter?

  The Virgin Mary
• What is the traditional interpretation of the Ephesians passage regarding wives and husbands?

  Wives should submit to their husbands.
• What are the key points of Ephesians 5:21-33?

  • Marriage mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church.
  • Wives are traditionally seen as submissive to husbands.
  • Modern interpretation emphasizes mutual submission.
  • Pope Francis critiques the historical context of submission language.
• Ephesians 5:22-33

  • a set of instructions for Christian households
  • traditional outlook
  • ‘wives should submit to their husbands’
  • ‘the husband is the head of his wife’
  • ‘the husbands leadership is like the leadership of Christ to the Church’
  • ‘husbands should love their wives like Christ loved the Church’
  • Christ loved the Church so much he have his life for it, as a husband should do for his wife
• Priscilla

  Co-missionary with St. Paul, leader of a house church in early Christianity
• Esther

  Courageous, saves the Jewish people from death