''The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth'' is a book written by

Beth Allison Barr Beth Allison Barr is an American historian who is currently the James Vardaman Endowed Professor of History at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Her specialities include European women, Medieval & Early Modern England, and church history. Her 2 ...

and published in 2021 by

Brazos Press Baker Publishing Group is a Christian book publisher that discusses historic Christian happenings for its evangelical readers. It is based in Ada, Michigan and has six subdivisions: namely Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Baker Academic, Chos ...

, a division of

Baker Publishing Group Baker Publishing Group is a Christian book publisher that discusses historic Christian happenings for its evangelical readers. It is based in Ada, Michigan and has six subdivisions: namely Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Baker Academic, Chos ...

. The book discusses

women in Christianity The roles of women in Christianity have varied since its founding. Women have played important roles in Christianity especially in marriage and in formal ministry positions within certain Christian denominations, and parachurch organizations. In ...

and argues that the restrictive position known as

complementarianism Complementarianism is a theological view in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, that men and women have different but ''complementary'' roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, and religious leadership. The word "complementary" and it ...

is a recent development inconsistent with the historic roles of women in the church.

Synopsis

The central argument of the book is that "Patriarchy may be a part of Christian history, but that doesn't make it Christian."

Reception

The book received widespread coverage, including in secular media such as ''

Newsweek ''Newsweek'' is an American weekly online news magazine co-owned 50 percent each by Dev Pragad, its president and CEO, and Johnathan Davis (businessman), Johnathan Davis, who has no operational role at ''Newsweek''. Founded as a weekly print m ...

'', ''

The New Yorker ''The New Yorker'' is an American weekly magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry. Founded as a weekly in 1925, the magazine is published 47 times annually, with five of these issues ...

'', and

NPR National Public Radio (NPR, stylized in all lowercase) is an American privately and state funded nonprofit media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It differs from other ...

, as well as Christian outlets such as

The Gospel Coalition The Gospel Coalition, or TGC, is a union of evangelical and Reformed churches. History It was founded in 2005 by theologian D. A. Carson and pastor Tim Keller. TGC describe their mission as being “deeply committed to renewing our faith ...

and

Christians For Biblical Equality Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) is an organization that promotes Christian egalitarianism also known as evangelical feminism and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. CBE's Mission Statement reads: "CBE exists to promote biblica ...

. After The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood criticized the book and the church where Barr's husband serves as pastor, the church received more than $15,000 in donations.

Eliza Griswold Eliza Griswold (born February 9, 1973) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist and poet. Griswold is currently a contributing writer to ''The New Yorker'' and a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University. She is the author of ...

, writing in ''The New Yorker'', noted that "Barr's central argument is that modern evangelicals often mistake cultural forces for Biblical ones, especially in regard to the role of women." A reviewer on ''

Premier Christianity ''Premier Christianity'' is a monthly Evangelical Christian magazine published in the United Kingdom. The magazine was started in 1965 as a newsletter with name ''Buzz''. It was sponsored by the organization Music Gospel Outreach (MGO) and share ...

'' said "This powerful book is forcing the Church to re-think what the Bible says about women".

Kevin DeYoung Kevin DeYoung (born 1977) is an American Reformed theologian and author. He is currently the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church, in Matthews, North Carolina. The church he previously pastored, University Reformed Church (East Lansing, Michi ...

gave the book a negative review in ''

Themelios ''Themelios'' (Greek language, Greek: ''Θεμέλιος'', i.e., ''foundation'' or ''keystone'') is a peer-reviewed international evangelical theology, theological journal that expounds on the historic Christianity, Christian faith. Its primary ...

'', a journal published by The Gospel Coalition, prompting Australian theologian Michael Bird to defend the author in a YouTube video. The book was reprinted five times in less than six months. Korean and Portuguese translations are in progress, to be published in 2023.

References

External links

The Making of Biblical Womanhood
at

Author's personal website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Making of Biblical Womanhood 2021 non-fiction books Theology books Christianity and women

Synopsis

Reception

See also

References

External links