Jewish and Christian Women in the Ancient Mediterranean

by Sara Parks, Shayna Sheinfeld, Meredith J. C. Warren

This engaging and accessible textbook provides an introduction to the study of ancient Jewish and Christian women in their Hellenistic and Roman contexts. This is the first textbook dedicated to introducing women’s religious roles in Judaism and Christianity in a way that is accessible to undergraduates from all disciplines. The textbook provides brief, contextualising overviews that then allow for deeper explorations of specific topics in women’s religion, including leadership, domestic ritual, women as readers and writers of scripture, and as innovators in their traditions. Using select examples from ancient sources, the textbook provides teachers and students with the raw tools to begin their own exploration of ancient religion. An introductory chapter provides an outline of common hermeneutics or "lenses" through which scholars approach the texts and artefacts of Judaism and Christianity in antiquity. The textbook also features a glossary of key terms, a list of further readings and discussion questions for each topic, and activities for classroom use. In short, the book is designed to be a complete, classroom-ready toolbox for teachers who may have never taught this subject as well as for those already familiar with it. Jewish and Christian Women in the Ancient Mediterranean is intended for use in undergraduate classrooms, its target audience undergraduate students and their instructors, although Masters students may also find the book useful. In addition, the book is accessible and lively enough that religious communities’ study groups and interested laypersons could employ the book for their own education.

Genres: Judaism

354 pages, ebook

Published December 30, 2021

Reviews

[Matthew R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by the title - this book is a superb introduction, period, to the study of ancient Mediterranean religion, especially for those who focus on Judaism and Christianity. As the authors (Sara Parks, Shayna Sheinfeld, and Meredith JC Warren) point out, ALL ancient religion was gendered, and all those who study it now do so from a gender perspective of some sort, whether they admit it or not. This is a "one-stop shop" with its glossary, teaching exercises, assessment ideas, sidebar discussions, and extensive section on the "lenses" (what are called "hermeneutics") we use when we look at the past. Even if you're not teaching but want to learn, or refresh, yourself on ancient religion, you'll find this a fascinating read, and a resource you (and your students) can come back to again and again. Beautifully and accessibly written, too.

[M.J. Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Theology on Tap group began this book shortly after I had a serious accident that required both eye and facial surgeries and left me with a severe concussion. This meant that reading had moved from being one of my most pleasurable activities to something very difficult and, at times, painful. However, this book was so wonderful I kept looking for those times when I would feel able to read for 5-10 minutes so I could delve into it.

Our group decided to read only one chapter a week for my benefit, but very quickly, everyone was happy that this decision had been made because we loved savouring each chapter. We found so much rich material in each section that we wished to dissect and share new discoveries.

This book was originally written as a textbook by three women scholars (Sara Parks, Shayna Sheinfeld, and Meredith JC Warren). Yet, it is so well compiled and edited that it reads like an exploration by one person. It helps with discovering new ways to read, not just the Bible but any ancient text or even an object, for that matter. It demonstrates that it is important to see not only what is obvious or just there but also to ask what is missing and to take different approaches or lenses in reading the items.

it is clearly written without being condescending. In fact, there are many times it's difficult to believe it's a textbook because it reads like a journey through time. It could easily be picked up and enjoyed as a pleasure book by anyone with an interest in Women's History, Biblical Studies, Near Eastern Studies, and possibly other areas of study I don't know. It could even be enjoyed by some who simply think, "I need to learn a little about this." I am sure anyone who is introduced to this book in a course would be enticed to further studies in any one of these areas. It is a must-read for both the novice and the well-seasoned in the fields.

[addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

at long last, i have finished this book.

the purpose of this book is to attempt to uncover the complexities of gender within the ancient mediterranean. gender is never a binary, and never /was/ a binary according to ancient audiences. the author's really were successful in achieving this purpose especially in the vast amount of evidence both within the "biblical" text and outside of it as well.

although at times i found the book to be quite repetitive, overall i thought it to be quite enjoyable. this is an incredibly dense book, but filled with lots of important information that can be applied both in an academic sense, but also in an ecclesial context as well. gender in the context of the biblical text and its audience is an ever increasing topic and thus has increased in importance among scholars and the everyday lay-person.

this book brought up so many topics and research ideas that i would deeply enjoy exploring as i further my education and research interests:)

[Mr. Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of interesting tidbits; lots that left me scratching my head.