Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, and Marginalized Women of the Bible

Gain a greater understanding of gender in the Bible through the eyes of a diverse group of evangelical scholars who assert that Christians have missed the point of some scriptural stories by assuming the women in them were “bad girls.” Did the Samaritan woman really divorce five husbands in a world where women rarely divorced even one? Did Bathsheba seduce King David by bathing in the nude? Was Mary Magdalene really a reformed prostitute? While many have written studies of the women in the Bible, this is a new kind of book—one in which an international team of male and female scholars look afresh at vilified and neglected women in the Bible. The result is a new glimpse into God’s heart for anyone, male or female, who has limited social power.

About the Author :
Sandra Glahn, ThM, is a professor in media arts and worship at Dallas Theological Seminary. Glahn is also a journalist and the author or coauthor of twenty books that include Informed Consent: A Novel.

Review :
One of the most important tasks of the believer is to practice faithful exegesis of Scripture, to allow the text to speak for itself without inserting personal or cultural bias. Through the centuries, many women of the Bible have unfairly labeled, and thus, inaccurately taught. Drawing from faithful study, insight, and experience, the authors expose the errors passed down through the generations and bring to light this beautiful truth: The God of the Bible highly esteems and works through women. Let the Vixens be vindicated and the Word of God celebrated! I am so grateful for this book.--Rebecca Carrell, Conference Speaker, Bible Teacher, and KCBI Morning Show Co-Host (8/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) The biblical narrative provides an accurate description of gender. All human beings bear the imago Dei and enjoy the same God-given value and dignity. The fall distorted the relationship of humanity with God and among all people regardless of their gender. The salvation and restoration that Christ brings to humanity makes no distinction between male or female and, in fact, destroys all human-made gender marginalization. For this reason, it becomes imperative to handle faithfully the biblical text in order to have an appropriate understanding of gender, sexuality, and marginalization. Sandra Glahn selected an important group of contributors who together portray a faithful description of key women in the Bible. This exceptional and relevant text fills and unfortunate gap created by distorted perspectives created by tradition and not from the Scriptures.--Octavio Javier Esqueda, Professor of Christian Higher Education "Talbot School of Theology at Biola University" (8/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) Vindicating the Vixens is a course correction for the Church--and an invaluable one at that. Chapter after chapter it redeems the reputation of many of the biblical women we've often misunderstood. In the process, it removes misunderstandings, misplaced convictions, and unintentional bias and in their place leaves a better sense of God's love and justice. Reassessing my forgone conclusions has never felt so valuable.--Kelsey Hency, Editor in Chief "Fathom" (8/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) Vindicating the Vixens is a monumentally important work in that it confronts the prevalent misinterpretations of some of the most critical women in Scripture. The faithful and meticulous research of Dr. Glahn and the contributing authors advances the powerful message of the book--of God's passion for the marginalized, the misunderstood, and the outsider. This book will challenge the way you look at women, both those in the Bible and those you meet every day.--Paul Lanum, Vice President of Publishing "RightNow Media" (8/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) Finally a book that recognizes misunderstood biblical women as Kingdom builders rather than home-wreckers. What a joy to know teachers have a resource to exhort their congregations to be like Peter and Paul, and also like Tamar and Rahab. As each chapter vindicates another woman, God's love for the marginalized and oppressed jumps off the pages reminding us that he welcomes men and women to pick up the hammer and get to work in the Missio Dei.--Nika Spaulding, Resident Theologian at St Jude Oak Cliff (8/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) I always love the stories of God's daughters in His storybook of His relentless love and pursuit of us. I especially love when the fuller stories open our eyes to surprising realities. In Vindicating the Vixens, Sandra Glahn has pulled together a treasure trove of those stories, written with careful theology, cultural comprehension and captivating narrative. I can name a few of my favorites--Eve, Ruth, Deborah, Mary Magdalene--but truly, I loved getting to know every one of these too-often maligned sisters better. And so will you, I'm sure.--Judy Douglass, Director, Women's Resources "Cru" (8/1/2017 12:00:00 AM)