“Emancipation for women is the freedom to live as a person, not as a rule; the freedom to choose what is the ‘best part,’ not to conform to norms. We want to empower women and men to live who they are, in confidence to their vocation as Christians…”
(Heather Clark – Christian News) A group of 20 female theologians from around the world have released a book of commentaries about Scriptures that pertain to women in an effort to tackle what they call “the lingering patriarchal readings that have justified numerous restrictions and bans on women.”
“Une Bible des Femmes,” or “The Women’s Bible”, was published in October, but just recently was brought to light. It is the work of nearly two dozen female theologians from countries such as Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany and Africa. While it’s not an actual Bible, it does provide commentary on various biblical passages from a feminist viewpoint.
“We are fighting against a literal reading of the texts,” Elisabeth Parmentier, a professor at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, told the Agence France Presse (AFP).
Among the issues that Parmentier and the others take with how the Bible is understood concerning women include the teachings written by the apostle Paul. She said that his statements shouldn’t be considered as instructions for modern times.
“It’s like taking a letter someone sends to give advice as being valid for all eternity,” Parmentier remarked.