Issue 17. Women in the Early Church

Summary
Christianity would not have endured its 1st century without the extraordinary efforts of women in nearly every ministerial role. As prominent leaders, scholars, financial benefactors and social servants, women carried a substantial load of ecclesiastical burden. This issue of Christian History & Biography introduces you to a number of these influential women and offers you a glimpse at the enormous contributions they have made to the ancient and contemporary Christian Church.

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Inside this issue you'll find:

  • The Neglected History of Women in the Early Church
    A number of prominent leaders, scholars, and benefactors of the early church were women and—despite neglect by many modern historians—the diligent researcher can still uncover a rich history.
  • Early-Church Women and Heresy
    Not only were women attracted to the heretical sects that diverged from early church orthodoxy, but women were prominent in their leadership and teachings. Why might this have been?
  • An Extended Gallery of Early Church Women
    • Early-Church Heroines:
      Rulers, Prophets and Martyrs
    • Paula: A Portrait of 4th-Century Piety
      This close friend of the scholar Jerome, known for her scholarship and her extreme piety and generosity, was one of the most noteworthy people—women or men—in all the 4th-century church.
  • The Early Controversies over Female Leadership
    Looking at the unspoken arguments behind the early church's documents of order, patristics scholar Karen Torjesen presents a sociological theory for why women's role in the church diminished: the church went public.
  • The Chaining of the Church
    What happened to the church between the vibrantly pluralistic 1st century and the legalistic, male-dominated 3rd century?
  • What About Paul?
    The Apostle's writings are foundational to the standard interpretation of what women's role in the church should be. But examined carefully, his points about women raise several puzzling questions.
  • Also: Jesus and Women
    In His treatment of women, as in many other areas, Jesus of Nazareth was a radical contrast to the standards of His times.
  • From the Archives
    • The Martyrdom of Perpetua
    • Monica, Faithful Mother
    • The Wife's Domain
    • The Acts of Thecla
    • Egeria at Thecla's Shrine
    • The Value of Virginity
    • Agnes: The Virgin Martyr
    Departments
  • Did You Know?
  • From the Publisher
  • CH Timeline
  • Recommended Resources


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