Tracing two thousand years of female leadership, influence, and participation, Elizabeth Gillan Muir examines the various positions women have filled in the church. From the earliest female apostle, and the little known stories of the two Marys
the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene
to the enlightened duties espoused by the nun, the abbess, and the anchorite, and the persecutions of female ""witches,"" Muir uncovers the rich and often tumultuous relationship between women and Christianity.
Offering broad coverage of both the Catholic and Protestant traditions and extending geographically well beyond North America, A Women's History of the Christian Church presents a chronological account of how women developed new sects and new churches, such as the Quakers and Christian Science. The book includes a timeline of women in Christian history, over 25 black-and-white illustrations, a glossary, and a list of primary and secondary sources to complement the content in each chapter.
By:
Elizabeth Gillan Muir
Imprint: University of Toronto Press
Country of Publication: Canada
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 25mm
Weight: 640g
ISBN: 9781487593841
ISBN 10: 1487593848
Pages: 464
Publication Date: 14 April 2019
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Preface 1. Women in the Early Church: Part I 2. Women in the Early Church: Part II 3. The Rise of the Virgin Mary and the Devolution of Mary Magdalene 4. The Nun, the Abbess, and the Anchorite 5. La Papesse and La Pucelle 6. Woman as Witch 7. The Mystics 8. Women in Religious Communities before the Protestant Reformation The Cathars The Beguines The Humiliati 9. Women in Religious Communities in the Protestant Tradition The Waldensians The Lollards The Anabaptists The Moravians The Baptists The Church of the Brethren The Church of God (Anderson) 10. Methodism 11. Women Who Founded Churches under the Roman Catholic Church The Guglielmites The Ursulines Mary Ward and the English Ladies The Company of the Daughters of Charity 12. Other Women Who Founded Churches: Part I The Quakers The Shakers The Society of Universal Friends The Seventh Day Adventist Church The Salvation Army Christian Science 13. Other Women Who Founded Churches: Part II The Church of the Nazarene The Foursquare Gospel Church The Mita Congregation The Saint John’s Apostolic Faith Mission The Pillar of Fire The Lumpa Church The Yoido Full Gospel Church The Mai (Mother) Chaza Church Mother Leafy Anderson 14. The Missionary Impulse 15. Women in the Church Today Conclusion Appendix 1: Timeline Glossary Index Sources
Elizabeth Gillan Muir taught Canadian Studies at the University of Waterloo and Religious Studies at Emmanuel College, the University of Toronto, and served on the national executive staff of the United Church of Canada.
Reviews for A Women's History of the Christian Church: Two Thousand Years of Female Leadership
""In A Women's History of the Christian Church: Two Thousand Years of Female Leadership, Elizabeth Gillan Muir offers a more inclusive and comprehensive narration of the development of the Christian tradition - one which takes seriously the contributions of women. This groundbreaking volume packed full of helpful notes and sources is a must-read for those who want a more complete understanding of the history of the Christian Church."" --Dr. Gary B. Agee, Anderson University's School of Theology and Christian Ministry ""Elizabeth Gillan Muir does for current scholars what Elizabeth Cady Stanton did for women and scholars over 100 years ago with The Woman's Bible. She shines light on those forced into the shadows. Muir extends that analysis further so that students see the narrative of female leadership extend not only across the Christian heritage but also into new forms of church, from the Quakers and Shakers to the Yoido Full Gospel Church. Far more inclusive and hopeful, this text provides students with a correction to history, as well as a knowledgeable base for understanding how patriarchy, androcentrism and misogyny have been intentionally enforced within religious institutions, equiping them to recognize these systems within our own institutions today. Such a rendering of women's history makes all readers competent of identifying and naming where justice and equity are practiced and where they are not. Surely that prepares our students with the critical thinking skills, imagination and faith in humanity that can make this a better world for all."" --A. Brenda Anderson, Associate Professor, Women's & Gender Studies, Religious Studies, Luther College at The University of Regina
