Women And The Bible

Written by Barbara E. Reid

Narrated by Barbara E. Reid

Women have always been central to the faith. In the Bible, women have played vital and often surprising roles. To understand these remarkable women, we are honored to bring you one of our most highly regarded scholars and teachers, Professor Barbara Reid, O.P., Ph.D.
Professor Reid begins this series by exploring the creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2, examining how God created male and female equally in the divine image.
Turning to the New Testament, you will look first at Mary, the mother of Jesus. Explore Mary especially through the Gospels of Luke and John.
Professor Reid explores Jesus' friendship with Mary and Martha. Meet the women disciples named in the gospels: Mary Magdalene and the other women who accompanied Jesus on mission, who ministered with him in Galilee, and who followed him to Jerusalem where they witnessed his death and burial. These women were the first to discover the empty tomb and to see the risen Christ.
In the Pauline communities, women held leadership positions in ministry. Examine some strongly egalitarian texts in Paul's letters, such as Galatians 3:28: 'No more Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female.' Other texts, such as 'Women keep silent in church' (1 Cor 14:34-36), seem contrary to what Paul says elsewhere. Sr. Reid will help you try to sort out some of the complexity in Paul's thinking on women.
Finally, you will focus not on a text that has female characters, but on a text that often is misconstrued to reinforce the suffering and subordination of women.
Jesus' saying in Mark 8:34, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must take up their cross and come follow me,' is often interpreted by women to mean that they should bear every kind of suffering, even that which comes from abuse or injustice, as their way of carrying the cross with Jesus. Explore the saying in its gospel context along with another image from the Gospel of John, which could be more freeing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Learn25
• Release date: Apr 23, 2009
• ISBN: 9781632512826

Reviews for Women And The Bible

[Matt DeVore · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I appreciated hearing the views in this audio book from a woman's perspective. Unfortunately, the author demonstrates a low view of Scripture and Christology. This is clearly seen in her comments on Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21–28. While this is a difficult passage, if we resolve the difficulties by making Jesus a bumbling tormentor who learns his mission from people he encounters then we are misinterpreting Jesus.

Here is a quote from the author:

"But rather than turn away in rage or return insult for insult, the mother redirects her rage. She finds clever words and remains respectful toward Jesus saying, 'Yes, Lord. Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table.'

With that, something shifts in Jesus, and he recognizes that she is right and his vision has been too narrow. She stretches him to see her not as 'the other' or as 'enemy' but as one of his own, one with whom he shared a common humanity and a common faith in God, and a common desire for the wellbeing of all children. And with that, he recognizes her great faith. A significant moment in this gospel, when the Matthean Jesus so often chides his disciples for their little faith.

Beyond securing the healing of her daughter, this woman sparks in Jesus the idea that his mission is for all people, a notion that will be fanned into flame by those who carry on his mission after death. It won't be until the very last lines of the gospel that Jesus will commission his disciples to go into the whole world to preach the gospel. This Canaanite woman, then, has been a healing presence for Jesus, expanding his vision helping him to see the truth that his mission and healing and teaching is for all people. She's not afraid to speak truth to power. She speaks with respect even when she's confronted by him with difficult words."