This series of Bible studies seeks to retell the stories of women who were divinely called and empowered to do great things. Many of them rose to the occasion, and a few very famously did not. Often, the tragedies and triumphs in their lives are missed, and their stories are told from perspectives other than with the honor and dignity they deserve.
Guest Post: “On Textual Mastication and Being a Sommelier of the Scriptures”
Brad Sumner is a pastor in Canada, and a student together with me in Portland Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program in Semiotics. In our program, we read lots of deep and heady books, then comment on them to each other in a weekly forum. In the following post, Brad ruminates on wisdom garnered from Jean Leclerq's The Love of Learning and The Desire for God: A Study of Monastic Culture
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Women Disciples: Jesus’s Call to Mary of Magdala
Though Mary of Magdala is a well-known figure in the gospels, she is not introduced by name until Jesus’s crucifixion in John’s Gospel (John 19:25). John doesn’t explain who she is, or what her relationship is to Jesus or his family, but there she is, with John and Mary, Jesus’s mother. That alone says how … Continue reading Women Disciples: Jesus’s Call to Mary of Magdala
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HER STORY: Christ’s Ministry, Woman Caught in Adultery
Most Bibles point out that the earliest manuscripts do not include this story, and sometimes it appears in Luke However, Jerome, in 383 AD, included it in his translation of the Gospel of John, right after chapter 7, where it is usually found today. Jerome noted that many ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts at his … Continue reading HER STORY: Christ’s Ministry, Woman Caught in Adultery
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HER STORY: Christ’s Ministry, Herodias
Herodias’ story is introduced in both Mathew’s gospel and Mark’s with Herod Antipas hearing reports about Jesus’ astonishing miraculous powers. "Some were saying, 'John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.' But others said, 'It is Elijah.' And others said, 'It is a … Continue reading HER STORY: Christ’s Ministry, Herodias
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Esther
There is some debate as to whether the book of Esther is historical, or possibly written as a play or allegory. Haman’s seventy-five foot gallows, the difficulty in establishing which king—and more notably, which queen—Esther’s story describes, and the depiction of a few unlikely scenes such as a massive, three-day civil war which is completely … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Esther
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Huldah
Have you ever even heard of Huldah?I bet not!Most timelines for the history of ancient Israel place prophets alongside the kings they advised. Even prophets without their own books, such as the prophet Nathan who counseled King David, are listed. But as much as I look for her, I have yet to see the prophet … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Huldah
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Jezebel
Just the word “jezebel” evokes a whole evil, erotic, seductive mystique, doesn’t it? I looked “jezebel” up in the dictionary, and here’s what Webster-Merriam has to say: “an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained woman.” According to other definitions, A jezebel is a wicked, evil, scheming female who is manipulates her victims into giving her wealth, … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Jezebel
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Bathsheba
Bathsheba had grown up admiring the handsome, charismatic king David. It had been an exhilarating time in Israel’s history, and her dad Eliam, one of David’s might men, had been all wrapped up in the thick of it, close with David ever since the young shepherd had been on the lam, running from King Saul. … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Bathsheba
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Abigail
Abigail’s story begins during a traditionally joyful time, the sheep shearing festival. Many guests had gathered, and there was much feasting. Abigail was well-known for her gracious hospitality, and all the tables were generously supplied. As the celebration wore into the evening, ten plainly dressed men entered the pavilion and came to address Nabal. Would … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Abigail
