Faith, Feminism, and the Forum of Scripture

"How does biblical theology take different shapes in different cultural contexts? How is the Bible authoritative for the church? How does historical criticism helpfully inform feminist biblical interpretation? How does gender analysis inform both OT anthropology generally and OT texts about homosexuality in particular? Four essays by eminent senior scholar Phyllis Bird . . . address these and other important questions. Bird's theological sensitivity, consummate exegetical skill, and meticulously crafted arguments are evident throughout. A must-read for both church and academy."

--Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, Princeton Theological Seminary



"Long recognized as a pioneer in feminist biblical hermeneutics who demonstrated the essential role of historical critical scholarship in that enterprise, Bird now brings these two commitments to bear on the field of biblical theology. These essays--wise, perceptive, and rigorous--should be on the bookshelf and in the classroom of any scholar engaged in this aspect of theological studies."

--Carol A. Newsom, Professor of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology, Emory University



"Bird has a distinctive voice in current biblical scholarship because of her commitment to doing biblical theology from a historical-critical perspective. These seminal essays are richly informed by knowledge of the ancient world and bring a sane perspective to bear on the use of the Bible in the contemporary church."

--John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament, Yale University