Hundreds of women studied and interpreted the Bible between the years 100–2000 CE, but their stories have remained largely untold. In this book, Schroeder and Taylor introduce readers to the notable contributions of female commentators through the centuries. They unearth fascinating accounts of Jewish and Christian women from diverse communities—rabbinic experts, nuns, mothers, mystics, preachers, teachers, suffragists, and household managers—who interpreted Scripture through their writings. This book recounts the struggles and achievements of women who gained access to education and biblical texts. It tells the story of how their interpretive writings were preserved or, all too often, lost. It also explores how, in many cases, women interpreted Scripture differently from the men of their times. Consequently, Voices Long Silenced makes an important, new contribution to biblical reception history. This book focuses on women’s written words and briefly comments on women’s interpretation in media, such as music, visual arts, and textile arts. It includes short, representative excerpts from diverse women’s own writings that demonstrate noteworthy engagement with Scripture.Voices Long Silencedcalls on scholars and religious communities to recognize the contributions of women, past and present, who interpreted Scripture, preached, taught, and exercised a wide variety of ministries in churches and synagogues.
“Schroeder and Taylor offer a far-reaching, informative, and inclusive crash course on one of the most tragically forgotten threads in Christian history—particularly the history of theology and of biblical interpretation. Their work is a valuable and welcome gift for the many of us—men and women—who struggle to correct the truncated view of history that is our common heritage. They not only show how truncated that view is but also provide tools to correct it.”—Justo L. González, church historian and author of The Story of Christianity and A History of Early Christian Literature
“Obstacles to the full participation of women in biblical interpretation have been many, but Schroeder and Taylor show the vigor and imagination with which women have met those obstacles. Ranging across two millennia and a staggering array of sources,Voices Long Silencedinstructs, provokes, delights, and even comforts. This is a must-read book.” —Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Helen H. P. Manson Professor Emerita of New Testament Literature and Exegesis, Princeton Theological Seminary
