Born of a Woman
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"A marvelous combination of scholarly, speculative, and imaginative reflection written in language accessible to the theologically unsophisticated. Highly recommended."--Library Journal
Product Description
A fascinating exploration that reveals the role of the church and Scripture in the oppression of women. Bishop Spong exposes and expunges the negativity toward women created by the literal Bible in general and the literalized birth narrative in particular. He challenges the doctrine of the virgin birth, tracing its development in the early Christian church and revealing its legacy in our contemporary attitudes toward women and female sexuality. 'The only hope for the survival of the virgin Mary as a viable symbol is her redefinition by new consciousness when that occurs, the Church of Jesus Christ will be more whole, more inclusive, and more reflective of the reality for which the word of God is a symbol' - from "Born of a Woman".
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First Sentence
For most of the two thousand years of history since the birth of our Lord, the Christian church has participated in and supported the oppression of women. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
For most of the two thousand years of history since the birth of our Lord, the Christian church has participated in and supported the oppression of women. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The virgin birth - myth or reality?,
By
This review is from: Born of a Woman (Paperback)
A fascinating and thought-provoking discussion about the gospel stories concerning the birth of Jesus. It also deals with the way in which the birth stories influence the way in which women are treated in today's society.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.7 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews) 46 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My new understanding of what it means to be a Christian,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Born of a Woman (Paperback)
As a child, I was taught that being a Christian meant that a person had accepted Jesus as his Savior. I was also taught that this meant that all non-Christian believing persons were going to Hell. This was something that I couldn't embrace and I turned against as I grew to adulthood.Bishop Spong's books have opened my mind and allowed me to look at what being a Christian really means. Being a Christian doesn't hinge on believing that Mary was a virgin or that Jesus was resurrected. It is based on how you live your life. This book brought tears to my eyes because it affirmed my right to question the things I was told to accept without question. 25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing and insightful,
By James T. Kent "JT Kent" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Born of a Woman (Paperback)
If you have read the other reviews, you already know that Bishop Spong quckly sets aside the literal "Christmas Story" and the "Virgin Birth" in this book. Much more intersting to me, however, was his careful tracing of the crafting of what we know today as the "Christmas Story" in the order the various references were written, starting with Paul (I didn't realize his account was written earlier than the gospels).
The core of this book is Bishop Spong's combination of the few clues in the Bible with the intellectual and political currents of the day in the early church, and how they effected the moulding of the traditions we know today as the "Christmas Story" and the "Virgin Birth". When he has finished his interesting analysis, he then adds a final chapter to discuss how he feels the developing concept of the "purity of Mary" has influenced the state of women in the centuries since, to the present day. While this is somewhat disconnected from the rest of the book, it builds on the lessons of the previous chapters, and opens up the possibility of dialog on the subject. There is no question that this book has and will offend many Christians, but for those who are intellectually curious and like to think "out of the box", this book is a treat. 29 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rational look at the Incarnation,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Born of a Woman (Paperback)
Much of the time I feel that I am exactly the kind of person that Christians love to hate, in that I find it very hard to disconnect my brain and accept uncritically things that are clearly at variance with reality.It was therefore a huge relief to find a theologian (and a Bishop!) who espoused the same doubts as myself, and who didn't see anything wrong with rationalism, or even being an intellectual. If Christianity is to survive it needs more people like Bishop Spong. The book brings a reasoned, historical and thoughtful approach to bear on the issue of the Incarnation and comes to an interesting conclusion that salvages much of the mystery and majesty of Christ, while ditching the myth. It will be challenging reading for traditionalists, but they should not find their faith damaged. If anything their faith should be deepened by the removal of mythological crutches. For doubters the book should be a revelation, and make Christianity look rather more attractive. |
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