The Making of Biblical Womanhood

How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

By: Beth Allison Barr

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Highly recommend!

Timely, thoughtful, well researched and a must read for anyone who has wrestled with or desires to grow in their understanding of gender roles within the church. Historical & theological examination woven together with the authors own story and experience in the church and teaching higher education makes this incredibly important book an enjoyable and easy listen.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book. It is packed with information, so I’ll probably listen another couple of times—and I rarely reread any books. The narrator was good, but I much prefer when authors read their own work.

Historical-Theological Tour De Force

Fantastic. Well read and well written. Solid text to understand Evangelicals women and sociological conflict

Amazing Book!!

Loved it and listened on 1.15x. Though not raised Southern Baptist, the patriarchal message sunk in years ago. What a well documented, eye opening book. written in a way that is so incredibly easy to comprehend. I ordered the actual book to reread again!

Brilliant!

Historical. Insightful. Well-rounded. Smart.
Made me love Jesus more while becoming very angry at the systems of this world that would use His name in vain to oppress people.
This is a very important book!

Every Christian needs to read this!

Loved hearing about the true history of women in the church. Inspiring, compelling, and useful.

Isn’t it time to set women free?

This book shook me to my core. It is well written with an insider’s view of the church. Dr. Ball peels back the layers of misinformation and abuse of power masterfully. I was challenged and invigorated by her honest and bravery. This is a MUST READ for all women that call on the Name of Jesus.

Excellent!

This is a powerful book and needs to be shared. It is not a woman’s book; it is a book for everyone!

Biblical concepts of Womanhood

It is truly time to rethink how women are treated by churches. In fact, it is time to delve into the development of hierarchies in the churches to begin with. My study into the Nicolaitans, only mentioned in Revelation, are leading me to believe that religious hierarchy was wrong from the start, that it represents an abandonment of the principles of Christ altogether. This is something to consider especially in the role churches have played in human history as part of oppressive rulership in many forms of governing, from kingships to democracies, from subjecting wome to subjecting black, brown and indigenous peoples. A worse misuse of the words of God and Christ is something I cannot imagine.

Challenge Accepted

I appreciate how the author challenges what has been handed down as truth in culture. Growing up in this, I can not only relate, but understand why so much of it never felt right.