Did you know that a woman helped "bankroll" Jesus' ministry and the earliest Christian movement? If not, it's because our stories too often get lost in the mix -- or intentionally erased. If you did know, it's because someone thought to tell you the story. And because there have been some extraordinary prophets, preachers, activists and educators who have changed the world through their radical leadership, and at times, at the expense of their lives.
And in regard to the recent political firestorm about contraception, did you know that the head of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Cecile Richards, and the head of its board, Cecilia Boone, both of whom Auburn is honoring next month at our Lives of Commitment Benefit Breakfast, are people of deep moral conviction? If you didn't, it's because people who may not have the best interests of women in mind have taken responsibility for defining our values and telling our stories for us. If you did, it's because we are getting better at getting the word out about our own lives, our powerful leadership, our core values, and the women and men who have given their lives to get us to this moment in history, a moment in which we taste equality and see true freedom on the horizon for all our daughters and sons.
So let me be one of those people who take responsibility for telling our stories, so that they don't get lost in the mix.
Let me start with Janet Edwards and Joan of Arc, ridiculously under-armed women of relatively small stature who have taken on the powers that be and have changed history in the process.
Next, I think of Jane Fonda and Felicity, Melissa Harris-Perry and Perpetua -- people who stand their ground no matter what.
I think of Sojourner Truth and Leymah Gbowee -- the same one who said "Ain't I a woman?" to white women organizers, and the other who said to men at war, you'd better not turn to me for love if you continue to wage your wars of hate.
I think of Dorothy Day and Bishop Minerva Carcaño -- both committed to the working poor --one who served the Catholic Church with no official credential and grew famous, while ineligible for ordained leadership; the other, who broke through the glass ceiling as the first Latina woman to be ordained a United Methodist Church bishop.
And finally, I think of the women who have given their lives not only to the fight for equality, but for beauty and joy as well. I think of Lydia, a seller of purple, and Alice Walker, the conjurer of the same -- even though Alice needed to leave the Christianity of her youth because her people's former masters had forced it on her like a shackle. Even so, Alice Walker's art birthed one of the most important Christian movements of our time: womanist theology.
Of course, I really want to tell you about my mother and my daughter, the two faith-filled women whose daily heroism makes me pause in silent awe, even as I write this.
So I ask you to think of your list, near and far, and to write it. For we are legion; we are flanked by unsung heroes and buried champions. With each story we tell, we reveal the truth of our nature and render the image of God as reflected in all our myriad faces.
Elisabeth Braw: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee: "Sex Strikes Help Good Men"
Rt. Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool: Christianity Is Not Bad For Women
Rev. Zesho Susan O'Connell: 10 Buddhist Women Every Person Should Know
These so-called "women of God" are violating Biblical law. They are ignoring God's Word and pushing their own agenda.
Now, that is not very Christian-like.
Jesus made disciphiles out of fishermen. God can only work with people that are dependent on Him.
Educated religous people are reliant on their degrees, and not God.
A person calls a curse upon themselves when they trust flesh over the Word. Jerm. 17;5 Your on a dangerous road Hilndpuppy. ( I'm just trying to help)
Never thought I'd see the day when she was on a list with Sojourner Truth and Joan of Arc, two of my heroines.
I find this a very strange list.
You are correct, this is a very strange list. Not Biblical at all.
They strive to be like Jesus, act like Him, think like Him, speak like Him. I am sorry, most of the women on your list are not doing that!
You are sending out the way wrong message! Young girls should not be emulating these women who, at the least, embrace the spirit of anti-christ. They should be emulating strong, Godly women such as Vani Marshall, Joy Haney and others who seek to serve God FIRST, who do not conform to the ways of this world, but hold fast to the teachings of Jesus, to the Bible. THOSE are the truly Godly women.
You can't call people Christians when they purposely go against Biblical teaching then celebrate it!
What is wrong with this world?
Why would my husband command me to post my comment? You ask the oddest questions.
The Bible says that the man does not rule over the wife, but is her spiritual authority and she is to be submissive to him. That has nothing to do with this forum and I don't understand why you would ask such an odd question. It makes no sense.
I posted this because it is the TRUTH. If you read your Bible, you would know this. I can provide scriptures if you like.
Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? Just because a woman chooses to live according to the Bible, she is a slave?
That only shows your vast ignorance of Biblical principles for a woman's place. I feel sorry for you.
You are saying all these other Christian women are the anti-christ but your beliefs are right. Is that correct?
You realize Joan of Arc is a saint, right?. She was a strong, powerful woman definitely not obedient and submissive. She's a saint. But I guess you know better than everyone else
Most of what these women promote is the spirit of the anti-christ. They give you just enough truth to look like the real deal, then pervert it, twist it.
The spirit of anti-christ does not seek to eradicate Christ, it just wants to provide an alternative, one that is not Biblican and certainly not holy. It is deceptive and dark.
I am only pointing out that this is giving false, dangerous information. Most of these women embrace the spirit of Jezebel. Read about her, not a good lady. She was rebellious (the Bible connects rebellion to witchcraft) and destructive.
The Bible tells us that we are to be submissive and obedient to the spiritual authority in our lives. And our strength and power is in our submissiveness and obedience to God and His Word.
There is more to power and strength than physical prowess and rebellion. In fact, those are illusions of power and strength.
All I am saying is that the majority of the women on this list are not Biblical in their lives. Your life should reflect Godliness and holiness. You should set an example for others. The examples these women show is that rebellion and worldly ways are preferable to God's way. This is NOT Christian living.
You people post this nonsense and call anybody "Christian" because they get a cat out of a tree or visit someone in a hospital.
That does not make you a Christian.
Living according to the Bible, repenting, being baptized in Jesus' name by immersion for remission of your sins and receiving baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues is what makes you a Christian.
Repenting daily, taking up your cross daily, and, like Paul, dying daily, makes you a Christian.
Not this fluff.
http://www.gcapp.org/about-us-history-g-capp
"Hope is the best contraceptive"