The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

Written by Beth Allison Barr

Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman

Biblical womanhood-the belief that God designed women to be submissive wives, virtuous mothers, and joyful homemakers-pervades North American Christianity. From choices about careers to roles in local churches to relationship dynamics, this belief shapes the everyday lives of evangelical women. Yet biblical womanhood isn't biblical, says Baylor University historian Beth Allison Barr. It was born in a series of clearly definable historical moments.

This book moves the conversation about biblical womanhood beyond Greek grammar and into the realm of church history-ancient, medieval, and modern-to show that this belief is not divinely ordained but a product of human civilization that continues to creep into the church. Barr's historical insights provide context for contemporary teachings about women's roles in the church and help move the conversation forward.

Interweaving her story as a Baptist pastor's wife, Barr sheds light on the #ChurchToo movement and abuse scandals in Southern Baptist circles and the broader evangelical world, helping listeners understand why biblical womanhood is more about human power structures than the message of Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781545917282

Reviews for The Making of Biblical Womanhood

[Jessica Grissom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my lands! This book is life changing! Thank you, Dr. Barr for not staying silent. Thank you for sharing your personal stories. Thank you for the in-depth research and presentation of historical evidence. Please read it and buy a copy for a friend.

[Jason Spurlin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, the reader of the book was great. The content is mind blowing. I had to rewind the book several times to correctly understand Dr. Barr. It’s imperative to read (listen) this book on such an important topic. This book will challenge you, sadden you, and encourage you!

[Rebecca Burge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read.
“Evidence shows me how century after century arguments for women subordination reflect historical circumstances more than the face of God. Evidence shows me that just because complimentarianism uses biblical texts doesn’t mean it reflects biblical truth. Evidence shows me the trail of sin and destruction left in the wake of teachings that place women under the power of men. Evidence shows me throughout history the women who have always known the truth about patriarchy and who have always believed that Jesus sets women free. “

This is a direct quote from the book. Beth Barr lays out this evidence from beginning to end in an engaging and riveting manner. Highly recommend!

[CAdam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Single most important book I’ve ever read on how Jesus saw women, what the Bible ACTUALLY says about women and our role in the Church.

[Adriel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book spoke to so much of my own experience in the church. I had been looking for information about historical Christianity for years and I really appreciate the insights here that helped me put Paul, and other parts of scripture into proper historical context.
So many contradictions disappear easily when scripture is rightly read.

You may get to the end and disagree with Dr. Barr, but you will be a better person for considering another perspective.

[Lydia Riggs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a great book! I loved the historian take on the Bible. I wish more preachers dove into history like this. I feel like so much of Christianity has become twisted and manipulated because people don't understand the History or cultural context of the time when the Bible was written.

[Kelly Steele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Essential reading for any church leader or person interested in a good-faith inquiry into an issue of profound importance for the future of faith.

[Nailah Tyrell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narration makes it easy to listen. The writing makes it easy to follow and understand. Many parts of this book will stay with me for a long time to come.

[Tyler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing. We need more voices like this speaking out about the reality that women have an equal place in the Kingdom of God

[erincaffeine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

a must read for every woman, and definitely every man. A beautiful challenge to patriarchy while upholding the Bible and the character of Jesus.

[hannahvparker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. Very eye opening and it is both historical and theological.

[morrcahn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I necessary read for all Christians, especially pastors, to understand how patriarchy worked itself back into our theologies.

[Sarah Entwistle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely fascinating! I feel a big shift in my previous understanding of this topic, and want to fully embrace what she’s saying. However, I still have genuine questions and feel frustrated that I can’t ask the author my questions!!

[Courtney Wilson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant. History matters so much to women’s freedom and Beth dispels with our historical amnesia, proving how crucial it is that evangelicals know where they came from in order to properly understand modern theology. I particularly appreciated the analysis of “literal” interpretations and the TNIV controversy.

[Lauren Mcneill · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lots of food for thought! Not 100% convinced by all her arguments but it's good to hear a decent argument from the other side of the fence and I will definitely be pondering lots of the things she brought up in the book.

[Liz G · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible book. So much insight. Everyone should read. American Christians everywhere will benefit from this.

[Daniel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely life-changing!!!!
Thank you, Ms. Barr for your courage and perseverance.

[d-fbuser-291357265 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is very well written, easy to follow, incredibly informative and inspiring. Read it!

[Olivia Hatton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read. It. This is one of the best books I have ever, ever read!!!

[Jolin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am so grateful to have heard this book. I grew up in evangelical churches and schools. I always had a hard time with their “women must be submissive” views. I wasn’t good at being silent. Mice are silent, I am not a mouse. Beth said things that I have thought, just she is able to back up my thinking with research and history. Truly setting me free to see I am right in my thinking. Thank you, Beth Allison Bar for writing this book!

[Sherry Bryant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A MUST READ for every woman who has been raised to believe they are ‘less than’ their male counterparts. For every woman who has been told she can’t teach or preach, minister or pastor because she was born a woman! For every woman who has been abused in any way because she is not being obedient to her husband the way Paul told her to! (Paul DIDN’T tell her that and neither did Jesus!)

[Irina Martin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found the historical context very interesting and eye-opening. I wish evangelicals pretended history did not matter.

[janelle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is mind-blowing, thoroughly researched with seamless transitions between ancient, middle age, Victorian, and current cultures, interpretations, and agendas that contribute to the evangelical culture we have today.

Thank you for this work, we have obscured Jesus’ message and waisted so much time and caused so much hurt. Let’s go, and be free.

[Svein Askildsen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Svein Askildsen

It is a gem. Beth Allison Barr has laid it on the table. Jesus has set the woman free. It is very obvious for people reading the Bible. In fact you have to be taught to read a certain way to conclude otherwise. And there it is. One of the most important questions Jesus asked was: How do you read?
It was evidently a great divide between the way the Pharisees read the Bible and how Jesus read the Bible.
And so also today. Jesus reads the Bible differently than women oppressors everywhere and at all times.
You don’t have to read more than the first page of the Bible to understand that God created man and woman as equals to be equals and remain equals.
A lot went wrong when Adam sinned, yes Adam, Paul states it very clearly. Adams blame game has to stop. Jesus made it final. He redeemed us to himself, and we are one in Christ. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
As I say, you only have to read the first chapter of the good book to know. All humans bear the image of the creator God. Male and female.

[Markus Watson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book. I appreciated the historical background about how women have led throughout history, including in the Middle Ages, which is the author’s primary field of knowledge.

[michelle anderson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am a woman. This shakes my worldview in such a challenging way. In the best sense. I wonder how I can divorce myself from the teachings of men without divorcing myself from the Lord of my life? I believe through the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of God in Christ Jesus, he will set me free as he has set me free from the power of sin and death. In Jesus’ name amen. Thank you.

[Lucky Florian · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A woman scorned should really go to therapy before writing a book on this subject. She iused her modern day history of culture to twist the words of God. She also gives an example of reading to her students passages of the same scripture in different translations and the version she most agreed to and read in the way she felt the fit best to drive home her point. By the end she was off point completely.

[Lalie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is ESSENTIAL reading for anyone who wants to have genuinely honest discussion about Christian history and women. Complementarianism is a truly unfortunate, even dangerous distortion of doctrine, peculiar to American evangelicalism. As an African woman, I am deeply concerned that this distortion has been trying to make its way into my African church context. This book is yet another one that empowers me to keep fighting the good fight. After all we’ve been through as African women, we’re not about to allow white supremacist views disguised as gospel to take us captive...no, not in this year of our Lord! Thank you for such an engaging, enlightening, thorough exposition, Ms Barr!

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This ended up being such a fascinating and also faithful look at how power systems created false readings of scripture in order to subjugate women (and other races). Just looking at how women's roles have been defined over time using the same scripture but interpreted differently is eye opening. I loved Ms. Barr's contention that the gospel of Jesus Christ is actually very egalitarian and we should reject the false, man-made power systems that creep into our religious organizations in favor of knowing our history and embracing the radical truths taught by the Savior of the world.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read through The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr quickly. The author’s education and expertise shined as she related historical context for traditions practiced in the modern church. I found learning about the past highly interesting, but my favorite parts of the book were the first few chapters where she dives into canonized Scripture. Beth Allison Barr, unlike some authors, does not deny the divinity of Scripture or attempt to minimize the Apostle Paul’s letters. Rather, she draws on her education as a college professor of history and offers alternative interpretations to misogynistic church traditions. She backs up her interpretations with highly convincing evidence, perhaps better than any other author I’ve read on this subject. I am not a Biblical scholar, but I have steeped in church tradition for at least 30 years, and I was amazed how many legitimate interpretations there can be for a passage.The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr is a fantastic read that I recommend to any Believer interested in this topic, male or female. The author’s tone is not political and lacks the angry smears and cheap shots that often appear in books dealing with hot topics. I appreciated the educational and kind tone of the author and will read any other book she writes.Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.