Feminine Threads: Women in the Tapestry of Christian History

by Diana Lynn Severance

From commoner to queen, the women in this book embraced the freedom and the power of the Gospel in making their unique contributions to the unfolding of history. Wherever possible, the women here speak for themselves, from their letters, diaries or published works. The true story of women in Christian history inspires, challenges and demonstrates the grace of God producing much fruit throughout time.

Genres: History, Church History, Christian, Biography, Womens, Nonfiction, Christianity

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Diana Lynn Severance has broad experience teaching history in universities and seminaries, She is a Director of the Dunham Bible Museum at Houston Baptist University, (www.hbu.edu/biblemuseum) and is the author of Feminine Threads: Women in the Tapestry of Christian History.

Reviews

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of the sheer amount of topics to cover over a 2,000 year history, it is sometimes hard to strike a balance between the broad strokes of major events and people and the numerous personal details that make history come alive. Excellent short biographical sketches of diverse women through the ages of the church, intermixed with excerpts from their letters, poems, songs, and journals gave this book surprising versatility to capture the big picture while simultaneously showing how these large events and ideas affected the daily lives and faith of women. If you've read other church history before, reading Feminine Threads is like taking a peak behind the curtain - it is truly surprising how women were integral to the making of the church's famous leaders and movements. All of this is grounded in a solid biblical paradigm of womanhood that will, I think, stand the test of time over against the changing shifts of culture. Beyond even the accurate historic detail, I was tremendously encouraged by the examples of women in every age and circumstance who changed the world by their tenacious willingness to serve God.

[Bethany Yost · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Gives enough to get everyone interested in the women of church history.

[EB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a marvelous walk through Church history down a path that has been ignored for far too long! Severance does the evangelical world a great service by highlighting the lives and stories of women throughout the ages and their contribution to the Christian world.

As the author notes in the book's preface, this is a book about women, but it is not for women only. Men ought not dismiss this work as irrelevant to them and Christian walk, for God has seen fit to use women mightily in His work throughout the ages.

The book presents the facts of these women's lives clearly and without whitewash. It is true that, at times, spurious theology was held to due to lack of teaching or the influence of the culture. The same is true today in every branch of evangelicalism. The reader's duty, then, is to absorb the information and allow it to be informed by the truth of Scripture.

I believe the author sums up the importance of this book well with this thought: "Though at times the evidence might raise unanswered questions, or we might wish the facts to be different, the truth of the story of women in Christian history inspires, challenges and, above all, demonstrates the grace of God producing much fruit through Christian women throughout two millennia of the Church."

[Becky Pliego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource. I love Church history so I found this a fascinating read.

Of course there is a lot of information in this book -a lot!- so if you feel a bit overwhelmed just thinking about reading all these biographies (the author covers a span of 2000 years), I would suggest reading a historic period, then pick up another book, then come back and read another period of time.

I am shelving this book as a work of reference, because it is indeed an excellent book to come back to when wanting to do some research.

[Becca Korvemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book briefly examines Christian women since the beginning of the New Testament until today. I say briefly because it covers so much time it would be impossible to delve into any of their stories too specifically. I really enjoyed it. It took me a long time because generally I'd read a few pages before bed. If you'd like an overview of church history that is neither boring nor too technical, I'd recommend this one.

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Feminine Threads" (and the daily devotional based on vignettes of the women also authored by severance entitled "Her-story") is a helpful, decently written book which focuses on women and what they have accomplished in the history of Christianity. This work excels when informing the reader of women they have likely never heard of, but who did amazing things for the church and the world. There are many martyrs, patristic era Bible scholars, medieval queens, mother superiors, mystics, wives, mothers, evangelists, preachers to inspire. In an era where the dividing line on women in the church often falls flatly between egalitarians and complementarians (a discussion which the book addresses), "Feminine Threads" also can expand our imagination as to how women (and frankly men) can serve the church with their gifts.

The author states from the beginning that she is convinced more of a complementarian understanding of Scripture and women's roles in the church, and deliberately argue against feminist interpretations of Scripture and church history. At times, this seems a little forced and unnecessary (even for someone who still identifies as a soft-complementarian). However, at other times, Severance does a good job of more objectively describing actions women took. For example, the Victorian ideal of domesticity is described, but praise for this is restrained (at least explicitly). As an evangelical Christian and a Baptist, Severance's primary concern is the proper interpretation of Scripture. Her sharpest and most direct criticism comes towards those who would deny the inerrancy and authority of Scripture in order to advance their position or ideal.

Regardless of one's position on feminist interpretation/revision, this work still shines in illuminating that which unfortunately for many are dark and unknown corridors in the mansion of church history. Even with the coverage Severance offers, one still would be overwhelmed at the sheer volume of women covered in a survey of 2000 years of church history. This work would have significantly benefited from an index so the reader could more easily find their favorites (although "Her-Story" nearly functions as this). Also, while I'm on bibliographic issues, some of the citations are hard to find or trace. Many are online.

The chapters are pretty even written, but some were harder for me to get excited about than others. I made it about 70% of the way and basically after the Reformation I lost interest for several months. I think this is because (1) I was more familiar with this era of history and of the women referenced and (2) the stories started to become much more domestic. This isn't bad, but compared to the much varied and (for me) uncharted history of the Ancient and Medieval eras, it just wasn't as exciting as it was before.

Having said that, let me share a few of my favorites...
Marcella (325-410) an outstanding Hebrew exegete
Paula (347-404) the patron and coworker of Jerome
Wibrandis Rosenblat (1504–1564) wife of several of the Reformers (they kept dying and she kept marrying)
Phyllis Wheatly (1753 – 1784) first published female African-American poet

[Deon]

Table of Contents:
The New Testament era : one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28) --
Christian women in the early church : a good testimony through faith (Heb. 11:39) --
Christian women in late antiquity : reverent in behavior (Titus 2:3) --
Christian women in the early Middle Ages : vessels of gold and silver (2 Tim. 2:20) --
Christian women in the late Middle Ages : well reported for good works (1 Tim. 5:10) --
Christian women in the early Reformation : loving their husbands and children (Titus 2:4) --
Christian women in the Counter-Reformation and the Reformation in England : the household of faith (Gal. 6:10) --
Heiresses of the Reformation : joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17) --
Reform and revival : renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16) --
A benevolent society : abounding for the work of God (1Cor. 15:58) --
Victorian Christian women : keepers at home (Titus 2:5) --
At the end of two millennia : Christian women professing godliness (1 Tim. 2: 10).

[Amy Lee Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually finished this book some time ago, but never got around to reviewing it. Severance's book is dense reading (and very small print!) but well worth the investment of time and mental energy. Her survey of women in the history of the church is insightful and uplifting, and she does a wonderful job of weaving the threads of history and Scripture together. Highly recommend!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read anything that focuses on Christian women in history, from women in the Bible to the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Granted, most of the focus is on European/American women, with barely a mention of women from other cultures, particularly towards the end of the timeline, where I would have expected more women from other cultures to play an important part in Christian history. Overall, I found this book quite inspiring and encouraging at times in my own faith, as I read about women across time believing in the same God and living out their faith. It does get slightly dry at times though, and it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture with the many examples that the author provides. The author's opinion on certain issues (e.g. women preaching) also comes through quite clearly and it was a little disappointing to see her bias and personal opinion replacing the narrative of these women in history. The amount of research done and the breadth of the subject matter is quite impressive though.

[Brenda Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such comprehensive research delving into women throughout the ages, since New Testament times...”millions of women in following Christ have followed their pattern...they were not perfect but they have obtained a good testimony through faith in the One who gave His life a ransom to redeem them for God. They are the feminine threads in the rich tapestry of Christian history.” Instructive, warnings to be heeded of what happens when women steer away from God’s design, when “women themselves rather than scripture could be the source of authority and truth” & much encouragement to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord who uses women to impact a world for His gospel and glory.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting journey through church history, paying particular attention to the women, who are often neglected in history books. The author discusses a diverse range of different people across history, and includes a good number of short extracts from letters, poems and theological writings. There are limitations to this book, and the broadbrush criticisms of "feminists" are unnecessary, but this is an important addition to the bookshelf. It's just a shame that, more than 10 years later, men are still writing church history books that ignore women!

[Lori Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most edifying books I've ever read. Motivates me to press toward the mark like so many other women through history have done.

[Claire Strebeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info and interesting bios. However, the layout is frustratingly complicated and it is printed in far too small of a font.

[Charity U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed much more than expected. A lovely book highlighting women in church history; but not from a liberal or feminist perspective.

[Katelyn Snell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history, so I was really excited to find this in my church's bookstore a few years back. It took me awhile to read all of it because it is weighty material; but if you like to read church history, this is the book for you. It covers from the 1500s to the early 21st Century.

[Sarah]

Looks interesting. If any good, talk to somebody at the Kirk about possibly doing a study on it...

[Jaime Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dense. My rating is due to the fact that it read as a history book should read, and was, therefore, less enjoyable for me to read.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love church history. This was very inspiring. The only section I found tedious was the first half of the last chapter. Other than that, the whole reading experience was enjoyable and encouraging.