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  • The Making of Biblical Womanhood

  • How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth
  • Written by: Beth Allison Barr
  • Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
  • Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (65 ratings)

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The Making of Biblical Womanhood

Written by: Beth Allison Barr
Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
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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

What listeners say about The Making of Biblical Womanhood

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So poignant for such a time as this!

This book plainly shows the need for teaching church history not only to seminarians but to the laity. Having grown up steeped in evangelical and complementarian culture, this book put to words and provided expalnations for every thought and question I had ever raised about my discomfort with complementarian teaching. it brought mw to tears. i am so so grateful to Beth Allison Barr for writing this book. This woman thanks you!

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Biblical womanhood is Christian patriarchy.

A powerful and fascinating historical look at women throughout church history. I am grateful for the research, the great storytelling, the restoration of some wonderful female witnesses of faith, and the clear call for something better moving forward. May we all go and be free.

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Progressive Christian ideology

Warning to all my Christian brothers and sisters this is basically a book based on progressive Christian ideology. She quotes progressives in her book multiple times and provides no biblical basis for her arguments. All her arguments can be summarized as: patriarchy is historical in all cultures, Christians should be different therefore Christian’s shouldn’t be patriarchal. She twists and largely dismisses all of the writings in the bible that suggest otherwise. Ladies what ever happened to humility? Women are equal in Value but that doesn’t mean we have equal roles. I wouldn’t recommend

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Wow

This book summarizes so much of what I had begun to pick up in my own journey of exiting complementarianism. Dr. Barr added so many insights and connections that I had never made myself. The narrator does an excellent job of reading this book. It has been powerfully affirming, cathartic and healing to listen to this audiobook.

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I wish I had this book when I was growing up

Absolutely loved it! The author made clear points and was incredibly informative. She pulled from history and reframed current beliefs simply by providing historical context. This book made me examine so much of what goes on around me and my own beliefs. I was constantly learning while listening to this. Every chapter had me on the edge of seat in amazement that these historical facts were new information to me. Definitely worth listening to!

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must read

Finished it in a day. I believe everyone should read this book. It will make you think.

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Excellent narration & content

Dr. Barr’s book is so empowering and encouraging. She shares so much history that we don’t often get to hear, and she totally redeems Paul by explaining what is actually happening in those horrible clobber passages. Her book is one worth listening to AND buying to keep a hard copy in your home library. Trust me, you’ll want to underline.

The narration is excellent and so well done. It’s probably one of my favorites this far, and Nijay Gupta would be wise to hire Sarah Zimmerman to narrate his book.

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Breath of fresh truth.

A book full of integrity, historically-vetted truths, and plain facts. How spiritually invigorating for me it was to listen after decades of “truths” preaching spiritual deaths.

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