- RPH 365
- Women and the Bible
- Alphin Bldg. - Barton Room
- MWF 11:00-11:50 a.m.
- Syllabus -Spring, 2002
- Office Hours: Alphin Hall 221
- MWF: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
- TTh: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
- or by appointment
- Phone: 689-4351
- E-mail: pcbube@lyon.edu
Educator is at 
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is called "Women and the Bible" rather than "Women in the Bible" to indicate that we will be exploring two related issues: the way women are characterized in the Bible as well as the way women interpret and deal with the Bible. Hence the course deals with both biblical studies and theology, especially feminist theology. While I have put together a series of readings to form the core for the course, the course intends to be student-centered in presentations, discussion, and the ultimate direction that our explorations will take. Among the questions that we will explore are: What does the Bible say (and leave out) about specific women? Does the Bible say that women are inferior to men? Does the Bible say that women should be subordinate to men, especially their husbands? Does the Bible depict God only as male? Is God male (and does that make males more like God than women)? Does the Bible have positive things to say about women? Does the Bible justify the equality of women with men, even in the area of ministry? Can a person believe in women's rights and in the Bible? Is Christianity inescapably male-centered or can it be liberating for women?
These kinds of questions are at the very least challenging and unsettling and possibly disturbing and upsetting. The goal of this course is to look at these questions with openness and honesty in the pursuit of understanding. Those who have taken courses with me before, know that I like to suggest a prayer, “For the Spirit of Truth,” to guide us through our explorations:
From the cowardice that dares not face new truth,
From the laziness that is contented with half truth,
From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,
Good Lord, deliver me. United Methodist Hymnal #597
The objectives of this course are:
 | apply exegetical and hermeneutical principles to biblical passages of significance for women |
| become familiar with various approaches that feminists and womanists take toward the Bible |
| know the stories behind many of the key women depicted in scripture and the significance of those stories for Christians today |
| to integrate faith and understanding by engaging in dialogue with the readings and with each other |
Required Texts:
Alice Ogden Bellis Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Schottroff, Schroer, & Wacker Feminist Interpretation: The Bible in Women's Perspective
Carol Meyers (General Editor) Women in Scripture
Elizabeth Cady Stanton The Woman's Bible at http://www.sacred-texts.com/wmn/wb/
Bible--preferably a good study Bible like the HarperCollins Study Bible
Requirements:
Because this is a 300 level course, it will be student-centered and student driven. As such, students must read the assignments prior to class and come prepared to talk about what they understand and to ask about what they do not understand. If a student is not willing to commit to being actively engaged in reading and discussion, then the student should not take this course. Put differently, this is not a spectator class, but a chance for all of us to join together as a community of learners.
In addition to reading the assignments prior to the classes they are due, students are required to write weekly e-mail journals of 2-4 paragraphs that discuss their reactions to the readings and to the class discussions. These e-journals are due by Friday at 5:00 p.m. each week. Late journals are graded down 5% for each day they are late. There will be at least three take-home essay exams through the semester, and a take-home final exam at the end of the course.. Students need to sign up for three 20 minute group presentations that will look at specific women in the Bible. (The sign up sheet will be distributed sometime during the first week of classes.) The term paper for this course should address one of the following :
After weighing the biblical evidence and commentary on that evidence, discuss whether it is appropriate for Christians to depict God in feminine terms.
Womanist theology is sometimes referred to simply as Black feminism. However, most womanists would take offense at that characterization and argue that womanism is significantly different. Discuss the similarities and differences between womanism and feminism.
Mary Daly, a radical feminist theologian, has said that Christianity is so fundamentally perverted by patriarchy that anyone committed to the view that woman are as valuable as men should leave. Write an in-depth rebuttal to Mary Daly that takes into account why she holds her position and offering biblical and theological evidence that you believe disproves her position.
Can women be saved by a male savior?
The term paper should be about seven pages long or longer. It will be graded on whether it presents differing views fairly and the extent to which the position the student takes is well-argued. It is due April 24.
Grading:
- Exams: 30% (10 % each)
- E-journals: 10%
- Group Presentations: 30% (10% each)
- Term Paper: 15%
- Final Exam: 15%
Course Outline:
Jan. 13
Overview of class [take the quiz at http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0301/roleofwomen.html ]
Jan. 15
Read pp. ix-35 in Feminist Interpretation
Jan. 17
pp. 3-29 of Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Jan. 20 MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. HOLIDAY (no classes)
Jan. 22-24
Read the entry on "Eve" in Women in Scripture
Read pp. 45-65 in Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Read the following parts of the Woman's Bible http://www.sacred-texts.com/wmn/wb/
Title Page
PREFACE.
INTRODUCTION.
THE BOOK OF GENESIS.
GENESIS CHAPTER II.
GENESIS CHAPTER III.
Jan. 27
Read pp. 36-62 in Feminist Interpretation
Jan. 29
Read 67-95 in Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Jan. 31
Group presentation on Sarah
Feb. 3-5
Read pp. 85-146 in Feminist Interpretation
Take home exam distributed -- due Feb. 10
Feb. 7
pp. 99-111 in Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Group presentation on Miriam
Feb. 10
pp. 112-136 in Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Feb. 12
Group presentation on Jephthah's daughter
Feb. 14
pp. 140-176 in Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Feb. 17
Group presentation on Jezebel
Feb. 19
pp. 177-204 in Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Feb. 21-24
pp. 206-233 in Helpmates, Harlots, Heroes
Feb. 26
Group presentation on Esther
Feb. 28
Wrap up of First Testament Women
Take home exam distributed -- due March 10
March 3-7 SPRING BREAK
March 10-12
pp. 179-200 in Feminist Interpretation
March 14-19
pp. 201-217 in Feminist Interpretation
March 21
pp. 218-232 in Feminist Interpretation
March 24-26
Gospel of Mark
March 28
Group presentation on Woman in Mark 5:25-34
Take home exam distributed. Due: April 2
March 31-April 2
Gospel of Matthew
April 4
Group presentation on Woman who Anoints Jesus (Mark 14:3-9, Matt. 26:6-13, Luke 7:36-50)
April 7-9
Gospel of Luke and selections from Acts
April 11
Group presentation on Martha
April 14
Handouts from Furnsih's Moral Teaching of Paul and 1 Timothy; read the related biblical passages from Acts and from Pauline and deutero-Pauline letters
April 16
Group presentation on Prisca/Priscilla
Group presentation on Phoebe
April 18-21 Easter Break
April 23
Group Presentation on Women Praying and Prophesying
Read pp. 233-254 in Feminist Interpretation
April 25
Course Wrap-up
Papers are due
Final exams to be distributed
Final Exam due: TBA