Her Story, Book Review Example

Barbara Machaffie wrote “Her Story” which addresses an often overlooked history of women in Christian traditions. This includes current all the way back to Biblical times. The fight and struggle that women have had to face in order to find their place within not only the religious structure, but in society as well. For women to be recognized in a male dominated entity, of any type, is never an easy feat. This book lays the groundwork for women roles to be seen in the history of religion. History has evolved to create an equal recognition and opportunities for men and women alike.

Religion is difficult because of the vast amount of views associated with it and there is essentially no right or wrong. These views were expressed through different prophets and apostles, mainly men. Practices and beliefs continually changed as time went on. There is no specification as to what is the right or wrong teaching in relation to what Jesus passed to the religious leaders. This allowed for the translations and interpretation to continually be implemented by men. Women’s voices, roles, or beliefs were not dictated because they were assumed to not be viable.

As previously stated, understanding women’s role in early Biblical times is difficult because it was greatly affected by the interpretation of men. Assuming the church was controlled by man; many women’s roles were misunderstood or completely ignored. Not only that, it was interpreted and written by men. Most of the stories or history during this time period is what men teach about women, not women in reference to their own role in Biblical history. This can allow us to assume and believe that women had a far greater role in early church development than what is actually told. There is little Biblical history, or other written history for that matter that can truly depict the true role that any one woman played during this time period. There were a few women that have historical significance; however the men’s role is far more commonly expressed. This dates back to the beginning of Biblical times so it can be assumed that the lack of documentation shows the true role of the women.

A main contributor to the development of Christianity is Judaism. Judaism also shares a diverse vision of women as well as a broad series of practices. As portrayed in the book of Ester and ideal women is one who remained at home and was subservient to their husband. This example is again another showing of how women were viewed as secondary. Religion was not as pertinent to women except the laws pertaining to the sexual and dietary laws. They also were expected to participate in the lighting of the Sabbath candles. Rabbis viewed women as religiously and socially inferior sexes; there have even been some that have expressed contempt. Men were discouraged from having conversation with the “weaker sex” in public, women also were forbidden from participating in a court of law and other religious formations. At the further extreme, they women were not allowed to study scripture. What was said in the word had no relevance to them because it was intended for men’s use.

The idea of completely and totally banning women from any type of religious functioning and understanding was short lived. Women evolved to be allowed to be a member of the Christian communities. This is shown more in the New Testament. King Saul had determined to have every Christian arrested, this included both man and woman. “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”1 He did not support the idea of religion and wanted them incarcerated because of it. It clearly states both men and women, showing that their role in the Christianity was just as threatening as men’s. “And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”2 Again recognizing women’s role during this time. Luke also incorporated the teachings of Jesus to and about women. This showed a vast difference from previous historical references that seemed to only revolve around the male characters.

As time evolved the laws of the land changed so did the laws of the church. Adultery of a woman to a man was considered deceitful, and was punishable by law. However, if a man cheated with a single woman, there were no laws that implemented penalties. Women who had relations with a men prior marriage was considered unfit, and could be put to death. This changed much later in time to be unacceptable for either party, but there were no legal penalties associated with it. Same with women’s premarital relations, the ideals are still in place, however in the even the woman fails she does not have to fear for her life.

Women have developed as an equal part of every aspect of life. Women have become important members of the church, school, and society, no longer considered a shadow of men. The language of earlier history has to be changed or censored to prevent offending women. “The presence of women makes all students think about sexuality, balancing work and family life, and the values of new models of ministry that blur the traditional lay/ clergy lines.”3 Because of the said changes, women in later years of education can claim it as favorable. These exclusions for “men only” are not beneficial and it shows how the versatile roles are necessary for life.

“The worship and preaching of the Christian community has been visibly affected by the concern of women over language used for God and the people of God.”4 The said language can be construed as sexism. History dictates the male role in society and the church, and that they ruled over the weaker sex, women. The historical language can’t necessarily be change, but it continually reinforces the beliefs that women are lesser human beings. Christianity needs to be a universal language of equality not a dated language of inequality. Because of the means that God has been addressed such as Sheppard, King, or Father, he is considered as a man even though the gender is never disclosed in the Bible. However it can lead others to view women as less God like because they are not in the likeliness of God a man.

There is a lot of argument that the language of religion is generic and the male terminology is intended to refer to both women and men. But since the involvement of women in religious practices has been greatly limited, the generic terminology argument has little ground in some eyes. Men do not always support the idea of women in charge, perhaps questioning their ability or intention. Because of such activities, women still question themselves and their potential to fulfill leadership roles. Without addressing such issues with language, women can quickly become resentful towards religion and what it stands for. When the terms that are continually being in the masculine form, it would lead any individual to believe that the intended message is for a man not a woman. This potentially will turn a woman off to listening to what the speaker is trying to get across.

Throughout the decades, the language of religion has begun to evolve to be gender neutral. The hymns, church documents, literature, sermons, and even Biblical text have changed to include both men and women. This had lead to arguments regarding the altering of religious documents and it being sacrilegious. For example, the word “men” is no longer in use, and instead a reference of “all people” is used. Methodist, Southern Baptist, and Presbyterian followed in this change by replacing their old hymns with non-archaic terminologies. Some went as far as taking away the gender inference of male in reference to God. For example the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father, Our Mother.” This perhaps is more on the extreme side; it is showing the intent of church to make worshiping equal for all who attend.

The final most important development of feminist theologies in the 1990s is the voice of minority women. It’s not only women who have felt displaced when it comes to their religious experience, more so is the women who are African American or Hispanic. Theorist attributes the devaluation of African American women based on the images and stories portrayed in Christian cultures. Within the Latin community there are additional concerns regarding expressions of inadequacy in prejudice, sexism, and poverty towards Latin women. There is not a whole lot of reference to race dictated in Biblical history. The majority of the stories are assumed to be white characters unless stated otherwise. Much like the women, if it is not pertinent to individuals, including different races, they will not accept it more likely they will resent it.

Determining what comes next is the progress that has grown with women and religion. The reform has been heavily debated for decades as to whether it is right or wrong. There is still no clear answer as to what is right and wrong in certain areas. Many churches have grown open to the idea of equality within limitations. Women are a vital part of the church and its survival. Catholic women are even considering the possibility of being a lay pastorate. The Bible has been used as a justification for requiring women to be subservient and obedient to their husbands. As if they are their property, not their equal. But as times change so does the understanding associated with Biblical history. Utilizing better interpretation and implementation of religious expectations and history will prevent the gender inequality that has been prevalent for decades.

Notes:

1. The Holy Bible, King James Version. Acts 8:3
2. The Holy Bible, King James Version. Acts 9:2
3. MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story: Women and Christian Tradition. Augsburg Fortress, 2006.
4. MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story: Women and Christian Tradition. Augsburg Fortress, 2006.

References:

MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story: Women and Christian Tradition. Augsburg Fortress, 2006.

The Holy Bible, King James Version. New York: American Bible Society: 1999; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/108/. March 20, 2013