Women in Church History

This course explores the lives and roles of women throughout church history, including biblical history. It will examine the historical and social contexts of various women identified as having an impact on theology, biblical interpretation, cultural influence, and social justice. Individual women’s lives will be discussed in terms of their response to God’s call, their commitment to the Christian faith, and their contributions to the overall Christian Church. Another goal of the course is to provide an analysis of the methods and resources women in various times and cultures used to have their voices “heard.” Students will be able to identify the diverse views of church leaders toward women’s roles as this course examines the support, obstacles, and beliefs of the historical Church. The final course section focuses on the current status of women in the Church and reflection on global challenges for women in the 21st century.