Blessed Among Women?

Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Bible & Bible Studies, New Testament, Criticism & Interpretation
Cover of the book Blessed Among Women? by Alicia D. Myers, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Alicia D. Myers ISBN: 9780190677107
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Alicia D. Myers
ISBN: 9780190677107
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Mothers appear throughout the New Testament. Called "blessed among women" by Elizabeth in the Gospel of Luke, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the most obvious example. But she is far from the only mother in this canon. She is joined by Elizabeth, a chorus of unnamed mothers seeking healing or promotions for their children, as well as male mothers, including Paul (Gal 4:19-20) and Jesus. Although interpreters of the New Testament have explored these maternal characters and metaphors, many have only recently begun to take seriously their theological aspects. This book builds on previous studies by arguing maternal language is not only theological, but also indebted to ancient gender constructions and their reshaping by early Christians. Especially significant are the physiological, anatomical, and social constructions of female bodies that permeate the ancient world where ancient Christianity was birthed. This book examines ancient generative theories, physiological understandings of breast milk and breastfeeding, and presentations of prominent mothers in literature and art to analyze the use of these themes in the New Testament and several, additional early Christian writings. In a context that aligned perfection with "masculinity," motherhood was the ideal goal for women-a justification for deficient, female existence. Proclaiming a new age ushered in by God's Christ, however, ancient Christians debated the place of women, mothers, and motherhood as a part of their reframing of gender expectations. Rather than a homogenous approval of literal motherhood, ancient Christian writings depict a spectrum of ideals for women disciples even as they retain the assumption of masculine superiority. Identifying themselves as members of God's household, ancient Christians utilized motherhood as a theological category and a contested ideal for women disciples.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Mothers appear throughout the New Testament. Called "blessed among women" by Elizabeth in the Gospel of Luke, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the most obvious example. But she is far from the only mother in this canon. She is joined by Elizabeth, a chorus of unnamed mothers seeking healing or promotions for their children, as well as male mothers, including Paul (Gal 4:19-20) and Jesus. Although interpreters of the New Testament have explored these maternal characters and metaphors, many have only recently begun to take seriously their theological aspects. This book builds on previous studies by arguing maternal language is not only theological, but also indebted to ancient gender constructions and their reshaping by early Christians. Especially significant are the physiological, anatomical, and social constructions of female bodies that permeate the ancient world where ancient Christianity was birthed. This book examines ancient generative theories, physiological understandings of breast milk and breastfeeding, and presentations of prominent mothers in literature and art to analyze the use of these themes in the New Testament and several, additional early Christian writings. In a context that aligned perfection with "masculinity," motherhood was the ideal goal for women-a justification for deficient, female existence. Proclaiming a new age ushered in by God's Christ, however, ancient Christians debated the place of women, mothers, and motherhood as a part of their reframing of gender expectations. Rather than a homogenous approval of literal motherhood, ancient Christian writings depict a spectrum of ideals for women disciples even as they retain the assumption of masculine superiority. Identifying themselves as members of God's household, ancient Christians utilized motherhood as a theological category and a contested ideal for women disciples.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Face of Britain by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Legalist Empire by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book A History of Western Choral Music, Volume 2 by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book WRONG by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book How Much Risk? by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Specters of Revolution by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Catching Capital by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Questions About God by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Civil Society: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Of Borders and Margins by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Life Span: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book As Big as the West by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Seeing Dark Things by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Natural Justice by Alicia D. Myers
Cover of the book Entertaining Judgment by Alicia D. Myers
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy