| Description |
xx, 245 pages ; 21 cm |
| Contents |
Escaping biblical literalism -- Approaching the story through Midrash -- Born of a woman--Paul's witness -- From the scandal of the cross to the scandal of the crib -- The development of the birth tradition -- Matthew's story, part I -- Matthew's story, part II -- Behind Luke--an original pageant? -- Luke's story, part I -- Luke's story, part II -- Birth hints from Mark and John -- Facing the implications of scripture -- Suppose Jesus were married -- The cost of the virgin myth |
| Summary |
From positions of ecclesiastical power. Applauding the fact that "the feminine aspect of God so long oppressed by the masculine patriarchy is roaring back into our awareness, sweeping away our male prejudices and even our male definitions of the ideal woman," Spong shows that by reclaiming the humanity of Christianity's central female figure, we reshape and liberate our own humanity. "Literalized symbols," writes Spong, "are doomed symbols," and the profound meaning |
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Integrating his love and respect for scripture with his keen understanding of current biblical scholarship and the needs of modern peoples, Bishop John Shelby Spong explores the virgin Mary tradition and its contemporary repercussions. Born of a Woman traces the fascinating evolution of the doctrine in the early Christian church and the Christmas narratives that Jesus' mother was a virgin. Illuminating the implications of these writings, Spong persuasively and |
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Provocatively shows the Bible's depiction of a virginal, revered yet subservient, Mary to be a "subtle, unconscious source for the continued oppression of women" and a God-given legitimization of the second-class status of women in Western history. The legacy of the Mary myths, suggests Spong, is pervasive and can be seen in our attitudes toward women and female sexuality, sexual harassment in the workplace, the notion of a celibate priesthood, and the exclusion of women |
| Analysis |
Christianity Doctrines |
|
Christianity Doctrines |
| Notes |
Includes a bibliography and index |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 233-237) and index |
| SUBJECT |
Jesus Christ -- Nativity.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85070067
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Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n81018544 -- Controversial literature.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2002012037
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Jesus Christ -- Nativity.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85070067
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Bible -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85013617
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Bible. Gospels -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85013760
|
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Bible. New Testament -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85013751
|
| Subject |
Virgin birth -- Controversial literature.
|
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Christianity.
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| LC no. |
91055087 |
| ISBN |
0060675136 |
|
0060675292 |
|
9780060675134 |
|
9780060675295 |
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