The Genius of Woman: An Appreciation of the Influence of Women in General, Mothers in Particular in the Light of Their Biblical Portrayal

By Bitrus Markus Galadima OSA

The Genius of Woman shows how women audaciously serve and save humanity, how they demonstrate creative influence and abiding commitment to providing indispensable leadership in families and communities in the banality of everyday family life, but often taken for granted, left unnoticed, and unappreciated. This book is therefore a thankful acknowledgement of the central and unique role women play in families and communities, written on behalf of grateful sons for mothers in particular and for women in general, as a token of appreciation. The book also shows how the Bible portrays women in countless inspiring roles and defining moments, at the centre and in the forefront of humanity’s survival, progress and prosperity. It demonstrates the Bible’s celebration of women’s genius in ways many of us have not fully realized. In The Genius of Woman, we see the Bible’s conception of an ideal woman, far from being an inferior human or an idle, submissive woman as many of our cultures and civilizations have tried to make us believe. The many biblical examples of hardworking, resourceful, intelligent, and courageous women having respectable voices and exerting far-reaching influence on the destiny of their families and of the society, typify the biblical conception of an ideal woman. Thus this book is also for men and all who need to understand the dignity of women, why we should all appreciate and treat them with profound respect.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Aug 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728392509

Bitrus Markus Galadima OSA

Bitrus Markus Galadima, OSA is a Friar of the Order of Saint Augustine, Province of Nigeria, and a Catholic priest. He has Bachelor’s degrees in both Philosophy and Theology from Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Major Seminary, Makurdi, Nigeria (an affiliate institute of the Pontifical University, Urbaniana, Rome), and The Patristic Institute, Augustinianum, Rome respectively. He also holds a Licentiate Degree in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome.

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© 2019 Bitrus Markus Galadima, OSA. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/29/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-9251-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-9250-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Appreciation

1 Introduction

2 Woman and Society

• The Family

• Woman at the Centre

• Woman on the Margins

• Woman, despite being on the Margins

3 Woman and the Bible

• Woman as Complement of Man at Creation

• Woman as Gateway to Humanity I (At the Fall)

• Woman as Bearer of Children and Family Destiny

• Woman as Protagonist of the Right to Life

• Woman as Icon of Hospitality

• Woman as Gateway to Humanity II (At Redemption)

• Woman as Epitome of Generosity

• Woman as Archetype of Loyalty

• Woman as Leader after Christ’s Leadership Model

• The Ideal Woman, not The Idle Woman (Proverbs 31:10-31)

4 Conclusion

Bibliography

DEDICATION

This book is a token of my love for my mother, and through her, an appreciation for all that women do in families and for society. On behalf of grateful sons, I dedicate this poem to all mothers in particular, and to all women in general.

O mother, I thank you without

measure and I love you

For you kept faith with God when to

you he entrusted my fragile being

And so, my life in your womb you

nurtured, and on your back carried

Then with your breast and with

your whole being nourished

Hardships of many colours,

for me you did endure

And my cry was for you a summons to action

Yes, you couldn’t afford a rest until I rested

You could not close an eye until

my eyes both closed

When you knelt down to pray,

it was because of me

When you combed farmlands searching

for grain, it was because of me

The wells and the rivers you frequented

looking for water, on my account

On my account, you went into

tens of trading adventures

O mother, to you I dedicate

this thankful reflection

Yes, to you and to all those ignored

Women who, though unknown and forgotten,

Have sustained and transformed

families and communities

Each in her own way, with a

grace-filled commitment

APPRECIATION

The birthing of this little book has been a process involving the services of many midwives: from those consulted to share, discuss and so sharpen the ideas herein crystalized, to those whose proofreading and editorial suggestions have improved the book’s readability, and those who took the risk to try getting it out there. I shall single out only a few for special mention: Mum Patricia Schembri and my big sister Colette Schembri, who read the first draft of the manuscript and encouraged me to share these insights with the wider world; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah who read the manuscript in its very initial stages and offered useful suggestions and encouragements; Fr Paul Graham, OSA who read the manuscript towards its completion and also offered useful suggestions and encouragements; Fr Matthew Akase, OSA and Fr Simon Yamma, OSA, who also read the manuscript in its initial stages and made helpful observations; Fr Joel Duwai for his critical reading and helpful suggestions; Aunty Marilyn Farrugia who proofread the book and helped to improve its readability; Prof. David Jowitt who helped with the final reading and correction of the manuscript; my Community