Explorations in Religious Identity (RE 300 WR)

Before: It is crucial to present positive female icons from the start of a narrative allowing women and young girls to see themselves reflected in the text instead of starting with a damaged outlook on womanhood. This is not to say that we should neglect to accurately portray characters in favor of sugarcoating them for the benefit of women; instead, it suggests that we look at a character holistically and examine them for who they are, not just who we want them to be.

After: Women are constantly saddled with negative representation throughout the biblical text which supports their continued repression in the church. The lack of positive female icons results in women being pushed aside preferring to give men the leadership roles. This is not to say that we should neglect to accurately portray characters in favor of sugarcoating them for the benefit of women; instead, it suggests that we look at a character holistically and examine them for who they are, not just who we want them to be. The manipulation of text to keep women in subordinate positions continues today. In many Protestant denominations, women are still unable to serve over men as leaders in the church and instead are relegated to leading other women and children.