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The Making of Biblical Womanhood

How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

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The Making of Biblical Womanhood

By: Beth Allison Barr
Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
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About this listen

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.

©2021 Beth Allison Barr (P)2021 eChristian Christianity Marriage Social justice
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This is an excellent book that I’ll be returning to again and again. Well read, thoughtful, and compelling, I loved every second of it.

Brilliant

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So refreshing and empowering. Sound factual information and heartfelt narrative. I've not been a Christian for a long time now and this was still enlightening and eye-opening. Every Christian should read this book, but especially young women and girls.

Enlightened

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So if the son sets you free you will be free indeed - John 8:36

Thank you Beth for sharing the liberating power behind what holds many females down.
Thank you for the reminder but also thank you for sharing the ongoing wrestle you have experienced both historically and theologically to now allowing women and men to go and do likewise.

May the beauty of the gospel not be strangled by man’s interpretation to make it look like us.
The Gospel stands on its own too powerful to be minimised.

Powerfully liberating

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Skilled writer weaves together her personal experiences, current concepts of ‘biblical womanhood’, historical illustrations + theological understanding. I found her analysis compelling. She is an engaging + thought provoking scholar. Narrator well chosen

Book of the year

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A deeply interesting, insightful and emotional book. Barr is an incredible author and academic and I can’t wait to read more of her work. The narration was also fantastic.

Brilliant

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I loved the logical flow of the arguments
Loved the factual knowledge drawn from an incredible wide experiences of society and the church over the centuries.

Clear and concise

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Absolutely incredible. How astounding to hear God's truth about women in contrast to the patriarchal world of most of christianity. I have been repelled by many churches because they too, operate in a patriarchal way as they truly believe they are 'loving' all yet hold women down at the same time. Ridiculous!

My spirit soared listening to this

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