Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Christians Airbrushed Women Out of History

A band of forgotten women were hugely influential in the rise of Christianity, a five-year study has found

 
band of women
But Professor Kate Cooper, from The University of Manchester, says their contribution has been neglected by the mainstream churches.

The study identifies dozens of forgotten Christian women who were influential in the first and second centuries, during a period when Christianity was - in some respects - more progressive towards women than today. They include Lydia the Purple-seller of Philippi remembered in the Book of Acts, who was the first person to sponsor St Paul.

According to Professor Cooper, women played a central role in spreading the new Christian faith through informal friendship and family networks.

Their authority within Christian communities was earned through their role as parents, community organisers, and small business owners. They regularly preached the gospel in the first two centuries of Christianity, and in some communities women carried out baptisms.

It wasn’t until the Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, in around 313 AD, the religion became institutionalised: male bishops were now government officials and women came to be seen as players in the background rather than public figures.

Professor Cooper said, ‘These women – saints who had a radical and powerful presence in the early church – have been hidden in plain sight.

‘Many Gospel stories, for example – such as the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke – can tell us far more about women’s role if we stop to pay close attention – something male writers have not done.

‘The ancient sources mention the women, but over time less and less attention was given to their role. Really, they have been airbrushed out of history.

‘It is quite sad that a religion which began with a mother and her wonderful baby should still have so much difficulty with remembering to honour the contribution of its women.’


Band of Angels: The Forgotten World of Early Christian Women by Professor Kate Cooper from The University of Manchester is published by Atlantic Books.
    Post     Tweet
New Firestarters conversations for 2024 
Three new Firestarters conversations, which enable churches rediscover a passion to help new people become Christians, are taking place in Baptist churches this year
Launch of St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry 
St Hild College has announced the launch of the St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry, for the training and formation of missional leaders for the Baptist family
Baptist Union Council: March 2024 
Baptist Union Council took place 19-20 March at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire
Publishing milestone as first Dyslexia-Friendly Bible completed 
For the first time ever, the whole Bible has been made available in a dyslexia-friendly format
Churches defend integrity over asylum seeker welcome at Select Committee
The Biblical motivations for why Baptist churches are supporting vulnerable asylum seekers – and the difficult ramifications at being featured in the national press for doing so – were shared with MPs
Fresh Streams to host prayer and fasting gatherings for our Baptist movement 
Churches and church leaders in relationship with Fresh Streams are hosting 11 prayer and fasting gatherings across 10 Associations on Thursday, 14 March
     Latest News 
    Posted: 26/02/2024
    Posted: 08/12/2023