The Female Ancestors of Christ

by Ann Belford Ulanov

Book Overview

Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba are the only women mentioned by name in the Gospels' genealogies, showing that they impart something essential to the lineage of Christ. By exploring their unconventional lives, the author demonstrates how salvation enters the world through their embodiment of such powerful and deeply feminine qualities as ingenuity, audacity, determination, compassion, seduction, and devotion.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877739390
• ISBN13: 9780877739395
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: Shambhala Publications
• Length: 133 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The Importance of ReFraming One's Story

In,The Female Ancestors of Christ, Dr. Ulanov not only explores the Biblical stories of the lives of Tamar, Rehab, Ruth, Bethsheba, and Mary but she brings to life their importance in the 'making' of the Christ. She shows how each woman played her part in the heritage of the Christ and she reframes their marginal status in their respective societies and shows how this status made them the perfect vessels for the bloodline of Christ. Dr. Ulanov shows how taking what appears to be a negative characterlogical piece in one's life and looking at it through different eyes can turn that negative into a positive. Dr. Ulanov does not assume her reader is familiar with the First Testament as she recounts each story for the reader. She, however, recounts the stories in such a manner that it is easy to see what features of each woman she is going to weave into the character of the Christ. This is a moving and powerful book that I believe can assist anyone in reframing their own life story in a manner which will aid in wholeness and healing. It would be especially helpful to those in healing professions to read as it will give them a practical tool for helping them assist their clients in making new meaning out of their life stories.

Interesting, unusual depth view of the feminine

I enjoyed this book very much. Although it is written from the viewpoint of depth psychology, it is very readable and accessible (and brief). The sexual information may be surprising to those who have only received traditional bible training. Very relevant for those with a Christian heritage, whether they are practicing Christians or not.