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The Liberating Word: A Guide to Nonsexist Interpretation of the Bible
Articles written by female Bible scholars, theologians, and church leaders provide an overview of the movement to eliminate sex bias in Bible interpretation
Paperback
Published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2020
45 years later and this book still comes off as relevant in mainstream churches today. Snappy editing, practical, interesting, full of examples. The end of the book has discussion questions for group facilitation but I'm excited to dig into the references like the nerd I am.
July 18, 2024
AN "EARLY" GUIDE TO READING THE BIBLE IN AN "INCLUSIVE" SENSE
Editor Letty Mandeville Russell (1929-2007) was a feminist theologian who taught at Yale Divinity Schools, who also wrote/edited books such as 'Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the Church, Dictionary of Feminist Theologies, Human Liberation in a Feminist Perspective--A Theology,' 'Inheriting Our Mothers' Gardens: Feminist Theology in Third World Perspective,' etc. This book contains essays by five women (including Russell, and Elizabeth Schussler-Fiorenza).
Russell wrote in the Introduction to this 1976 book, "This Guide to nonsexist interpretation of the Bible is both long overdue and premature... This Guide is premature because everything here suggested is experimental in nature... It dares to invite Christians everywhere to join in a risky task: liberating the Word from sexist interpretations... This Guide is an invitation to all women and men to work together toward a more holistic and inclusive interpretation of the Biblical message for our time." Later on, she states that the book is a guide to "resurrection hermeneutics." (Pg. 83)
One essayist states that it is impossible to overestimate the "liberating power" of the historical-critical method as applied to the study of the Bible. (Pg. 32) Fiorenza's essay suggests that the theological image of Yahweh as the "loving husband" and Israel as the "unfaithful wife" has "perpetuated the subordinate role of women and associated them with whoredom and adultery as well as with apostasy and idolatry." (Pg. 47)
Another essayist suggests that we may even find in the Bible that there is a "basic vision of free humankind... in which women and men are equal in their relationships with each other... and with God." (Pg. 62)
Although nearly 50 years old, most of the insights in this book are still valid, and this book is of continuing value to those interested in biblical interpretation as well as feminist theology.
Editor Letty Mandeville Russell (1929-2007) was a feminist theologian who taught at Yale Divinity Schools, who also wrote/edited books such as 'Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the Church, Dictionary of Feminist Theologies, Human Liberation in a Feminist Perspective--A Theology,' 'Inheriting Our Mothers' Gardens: Feminist Theology in Third World Perspective,' etc. This book contains essays by five women (including Russell, and Elizabeth Schussler-Fiorenza).
Russell wrote in the Introduction to this 1976 book, "This Guide to nonsexist interpretation of the Bible is both long overdue and premature... This Guide is premature because everything here suggested is experimental in nature... It dares to invite Christians everywhere to join in a risky task: liberating the Word from sexist interpretations... This Guide is an invitation to all women and men to work together toward a more holistic and inclusive interpretation of the Biblical message for our time." Later on, she states that the book is a guide to "resurrection hermeneutics." (Pg. 83)
One essayist states that it is impossible to overestimate the "liberating power" of the historical-critical method as applied to the study of the Bible. (Pg. 32) Fiorenza's essay suggests that the theological image of Yahweh as the "loving husband" and Israel as the "unfaithful wife" has "perpetuated the subordinate role of women and associated them with whoredom and adultery as well as with apostasy and idolatry." (Pg. 47)
Another essayist suggests that we may even find in the Bible that there is a "basic vision of free humankind... in which women and men are equal in their relationships with each other... and with God." (Pg. 62)
Although nearly 50 years old, most of the insights in this book are still valid, and this book is of continuing value to those interested in biblical interpretation as well as feminist theology.
January 24, 2021
As another reviewer has said, this book reads very well despite its age. Its discussion and perspectives are still relevant, especially in evangelicalism and fundamentalism, where complementarian theology continues to tighten its grip. The text is accessible, and it is supplemented throughout with helpful examples. It will also be of interest to those wanting to get a first-hand look at what the developing movement of feminist theology looked like in its early stages. Readers may note a subtle anti-Judaism that pits Jesus and early Christianity against a patriarchal Old Testament and first century Judaism.
August 5, 2016
An excellent primer with loads of references and direct citations. It was published in 1979 and I am ever so thankful that I had the opportunity to grow up in my faith during a time in which the significance of women in the Body of Christ was preached and taught as norm rather than the exception.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews