Women Preachers and Prophets Through Two Millennia of Christianity

By Beverly Mayne Kienzle

Book Overview

For nearly two millennia, despite repeated prohibitions, Christian women have preached. Some have preached in official settings; others have found alternative routes for expression. Prophecy, teaching, writing, and song have all filled a broad definition of preaching. This anthology, with essays by an international group of scholars from several disciplines, investigates the diverse voices of Christian women who claimed the authority to preach and prophesy. The contributors examine the centuries of arguments, grounded in Pauline injunctions, against women's public speech and the different ways women from the early years of the church through the twentieth century have nonetheless exercised religious leadership in their communities. Some of them based their authority solely on divine inspiration; others were authorized by independent-minded communities; a few were even recognized by the church hierarchy. With its lively accounts of women preachers and prophets in the Christian tradition, this exceptionally well-documented collection will interest scholars and general readers alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520209222
• ISBN13: 9780520209220
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 395 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating Study of History

This interesting book offers a thorough look at the history of women teaching and leading others in the Christian faith. Inspite of patriocentric efforts to erase the existence of such women (as this book itself acknowledges), women have flourished as spiritual leaders and soldiers of Christ regardless of attempts at restraint. This book is really not at all an argument for female pastors so much as a study of historical women practicing similar roles; indeed, it doesn't even discuss the patriarchal doctrine. Rather, it offers examples of women, from empresses to saints, who helped teach others the way of God. Some of these women wielded great authority and influence simply as teachers to their children, while others gave sermons in public before men and offered supporting words at deathbeds. While some attempted to restrain such women, a surprising number of men in history appreciated and supported the gifts of their strong sisters in Christ, rather than choosing to react in fear and jealousy. As a historical study, this book may offer more power in support of female leaders in Christ than it would if it took an argumentative stance; as someone once said, the greatest method of teaching is example. If we choose to learn from our wise fore-fathers and mothers, perhaps we could improve certain methods in our lives today. This book is a truly valuable study of various different women in more than one culture. If you'd like an interesting read, a good historical reference, or even to just see what exactly happens when a woman dares lead people in spiritual instruction, I highly recommend this.

Preachers...but not priests

Detailed, but not groundbreaking, survey of women preachers in the Christian tradtion from early times to the 18th century in seventeen seperate essays. Does not address the Eucharistic question and tends to be agenda-driven regarding "elite sources" and patriarchalism etc. Even so, very useful reading on the subject brought together in one source.