A Women's History of the Christian Church: Two Thousand Years of Female Leadership

by Elizabeth Gillan Muir

Tracing two thousand years of female leadership, influence, and participation, Elizabeth Gillan Muir examines the various positions women have filled in the church. From the earliest female apostle, and the little known stories of the two Marys - the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene - to the enlightened duties espoused by the nun, the abbess, and the anchorite, and the persecutions of female "witches," Muir uncovers the rich and often tumultuous relationship between women and Christianity.

Offering broad coverage of both the Catholic and Protestant traditions and extending geographically well beyond North America, A Women's History of the Christian Church presents a chronological account of how women developed new sects and new churches, such as the Quakers and Christian Science. The book includes a timeline of women in Christian history, over 25 black-and-white illustrations, a glossary, and a list of primary and secondary sources to complement the content in each chapter.

Awarded "one of 100 best women history books of all time" by Book Authority

Genres: History, Church History

464 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2019

Reviews

[Johnathan Sorce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book which I would not have otherwise have read, apart from being assigned it for a class. Overall I think the book accomplishes its unique purpose (giving an overview of the history of women's involvement in the church - especially leadership) well, highlighting a wide variety of time periods and cultural contexts and how women's roles have changed and evolved in them. As such, the book provides a much more nuanced and detailed perspective than I had heard before and certainly encourages readers to look beyond their own context to see how the church has thought about women in other settings. The one note of concern that I have is that the book includes discussion of several groups which the vast majority of Christians would certainly not consider orthodox, or which are outright heretical. Muir's argument is thus weakened in some ways by this, as it is easier to question what inspiration on minor issues we should take from a group that had problematic views on major issues. In other ways, though, it is helpful to have this information included, even if it does not carry the same weight for personal application.

[Pristine]

a productive day at the library and yet i have gotten nowhere !! time to gaslight myself into thinking deadlines aren’t real

[Elizabeth (Liz) Muir]

I have received a winner award for the book - it's been designated by Book Authority as one of the best women history books of all time. As featured on CNN, Forbes and Inc, Book Authority identifies and rates the best books in the world based on public mentions, recommendations, ratings and sentiment.
Dr Elizabeth Gillan Muir (LIz Muir)

[Austyn Dentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for a school class! As a woman in ministry I appreciate the history shared - the women in this pages paved a way for me and many others! Muir does a great job covering a broad group of women, some who were even considered to be heretical in the end!

[mikael · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for a class - history of christianity; coincidentally started reading on international women’s day. pretty interesting as far as mandatory-reading history books go.